My dog experience is mostly with my own beloved dogs. One red cocker spaniel I had as a child and my current fabulous doggie-girl who is a mini-bull mastiff and people worshiper. She has infinite love and strength packed into her 60lb body, so I am well trained in handling a lot of power with grace, ease and kindness. I use a technique called "click 'em" to communicate along with the standard verbal commands. Simply snapping fingers and using gestures can become easier for both the dog and the walker/caretaker/owner after a good connection & understanding is established. I have found this particularly wonderful for my beloved friends of the bulldog breeds who have a lot of strength and heart. Highly emotional these animals are the best to work with as I find they thrive on affection and a shared sense of approval. My childhood dog was a dreamboat with a charming personality, and also physical sensitivities. As a Cocker Spaniel, she had a serious need to run, A LOT, needed special attention for her ears, thick curly fur and annual seizures associated with her breed. Both dogs embody some of the best traits one imagines a dog to have: loyal, receptive, loving, intelligent, medium to large sized and enthusiastic. These amazing friends have taught me to communicate from the heart and with simplicity so we can have the best of times together, cuddling inside or on long walks and hikes outdoors. A nice back yard is also always a great place to play, share tricks and bond! In past years I also lived with a Chihuahua who was so very small, sensitive and needed extra assurance that he was safe and cared for. He was quiet and preferred to be carried or held, and always accompanied his guardian or myself on errands. Walking him meant not worry so much about obedience, but more about keeping him insight (a little ahead) and being cautious for his emotional need for security. The two other dogs I previously mentioned need(ed) very consistent boundaries and communication (cues). Especially my bullmastiff-boxer mix, who can over power a person with her strength easily and must have her status as beta well established in the case that a squirrel or a barking dog were to come into her vicinity. My bullmastiff-boxer mix has greatly expanded my understanding of dog body language. Having received her when she was just 3 months old, I noticed that she would subtly gesture for everything she needed long before there were any behavioral problems. I believe this is why none of the issues other dog owners have told me about never came up for her and I. She is incredibly well adjusted and well behaved, loves people a lot and "house" training her was a breeze because we understood each other so well. By 5 years of age she was able to "go potty" on demand, which is especially functional for car trips. I feel the most important thing is staying alert for the dog's cues indicating needs, feelings and perception. Otherwise it is all love...and cleaning :-)