Whether you have just adopted a young pup or an adult dog, you have many things to teach your new companion. You want your dog to be loved, trained and lively, but not spoiled, a robot or uncontrollable. Dogs can be naturals at learning manners and commands, particularly when you understand a key aspect of their nature.
Dogs are social, pack-oriented animals.
Your dog will respect a strong, clear, fair leader. If you fail to establish this position for yourself, your dog will feel obligated to try to take the position of leader himself. In a natural state, dogs would live their entire lives within the closely structured social order of their pack. While young, they would begin to learn the workings of the pack's social system and, as they grew, begin to establish their place within the pack's dominance hierarchy. These are all concepts that you must understand as well if you are to relate to your dog in a successful manner.