I. The Golden Rule:
Treat your dog as you would like to be treated.

II. Love.
Love your dog with all your heart. This is the basic commandment.

III. Shelter.
Provide your dog with adequate shelter from the elements. That means inside your house. A doghouse outside isn't adequate shelter. Everyone needs his privacy and his own space, including your dog. Provide a doggy bedroom -- such as a crate in a room where people spend time when they're home.

IV. Feed Your Dog Properly.
Give your dog food to eat, twice a day. Food should be top quality, and should provide complete nutrition. Make mealtime interesting for your dog by providing variety.

V. Physically Stimulate.
No one can spend all day and all night sleeping and eating. Even cruise ships offer ways for people to burn off calories. Remember that dogs, and especially puppies, need to run. Give your dog a play and exercise time each day, preferably several times a day. Find the games your dog likes to play and commit to fifteen minutes of quality play time. Then commit to a fifteen minute walk time every day, too. It's good for both of you. The more physical activity you give your dog, the fewer behavioral problems you'll have.

VI. Health Care.
There are some simple steps you must take to maintain your dog's health. Puppies need a first physical, a series of vaccinations, and a form of birth control to help prevent overpopulation. All dogs need an annual physical, vaccinations, and regular parasite control. Performing a monthly, five-minute mini-examination helps you catch problems before they become major. Regular parasite control is critical in order to prevent major problems from minor pests like fleas, ticks, heartworms and tapeworms and other intestinal parasites.

VII. Educate.
Every dog needs to learn the house rules. If you don't establish rules for your dog to follow, and explain them in a way your dog can understand, you will find that your dog establishes his own rules &endash; and you'd better learn to live by them! Basic rules include: urinate and defecate outside, don't wake people when they're sleeping, don't beg for food, don't jump on people, refrain from barking unless necessary, and sleep in the crate, not on the bed.

Basic obedience is also important for safety reasons. Dogs should know how to sit, stay, heel, come, wait, drop what they're holding, and look at you. Education is mentally stimulating, and exercising the brain leads to a happier dog, with no behavioral problems. Behavioral problems are the leading cause of death in dogs - "bad" dogs end up in the shelters where they are killed, or end up in the back yard as far from the house as possible. A little bit of education can prevent a large number of problems.

VIII. Communicate.
You and your dog speak two different languages. It's tough for you to fly halfway around the world and function in a city where you can't speak or read the language. Your dog has the same problem -- living in a place where the language and customs are a complete mystery.

You must establish a common language with your dog. This can be a mixture of English or any other language, plus dog language, which is primarily body language. Physical language can be understood, too, if you know the right "words." Once you establish a common language, use it! Communicate with your dog in a way he'll understand, and listen when he communicates back. Dogs have plenty to say if you only ask. Two-way communication, based on a common language, is the key to any successful relationship.

IX. Give Your Dog A Purpose.
Your dog needs to exercise his brain as much as he needs to exercise his body. Education, communication, exercise, play, and yes, even work can all stimulate your dog's mind and keep him happy. Find things your dog can do to help you around your house and office. There are dogs who deliver mail in the office, pick up faxes from the fax machine, and do litter patrol, putting trash in the wastebasket (only on command). Your dog can be trained to turn on the light, run the copier, lick stamps and do many other tasks.

X. Accept Love.
Your dog is a very pure source of love, goodness and positive energy. Learn to accept the love your dog has for you, and to let that love, goodness and positivity flow through you and on to other people in your life. Your dog is an angel waiting to help you in ways no human can. Let the love flow into you!