Originally posted by JGuitaristR
I say you teach it nothing. Let the dog be. He/She's not there for your entertainment, but to love and be loved.
I'm sorry, but that comment really angers me. So basically you are saying all of us who actually spend the time to train our dogs are not loving them??

A well-trained dog is a loved dog, in my opinion. You will have a stronger bond as well as be able to communicate to your dog. Not to mention the fact that a dog with basic manners from obedience training will show people how great dogs can REALLY be. Yeah, somebody with a big rottweiler running wild, attacking dogs and jumping on people....because it's never been trained...is *really* going to improve that breeds reputation.

When I teach my dog tricks it is NOT solely for "my entertainment".....he enjoys learning new tricks, and he's very willing to do them, even without treats. Personally, I think most dogs think tricks are fun!

Dogs are not wolves, dogs are a part of human society. And a downfall of being a part of human society, if the dog does not "fit" perfectly with us (from a lack of training) the dog ends up at a shelter....all we need to do is teach dogs HOW to be a part of human society, they don't know that naturally. What if somebody put you in a completely different culture and expected you to know how to commicate and live without telling you how?