never cruel, but stern, never abuse but discipline, I treat all pets as my own, knowing that there alot like children, that can be sometimes, sneaky, trying but overall are mainly trying to satisfy their owners , which all need love, affection, and attention, and with everyday needs such, as exercise, proper nutrition, grooming and a daly routine, it becomes not a chore but a delight, and I'm 100 words short so not sure what else to say but my dog is named chabaka chewy he's classified to others as, a shih tzu year and half old dog, on the contrary to us, and I strongly feel he be in total depression if someone mentioned that he was not human, I personally groom this child of ours as well.