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I, for one, can relate to that feeling you get when you see a cute little puppy in the window, or  a dog up for adoption at your local pet store. You find yourself envisioning him or her accompanying you on a hike or playing fetch with you in the ocean or simply curling up on your lap.

The word "yes" and the word "no" are kind of funny. They both have very clear messages but with very different associations. "Yes" usually has a positive association and carries good feelings like allowance, indulgence and permission. "No" usually has negative associations and leaves a lot of people struggling with feelings like guilt or unpopularity.

In my opinion, both words are perfectly great, as long as (and here's the kicker) they are used in balance and carry a high value.

Instinctively, as humans, we know the importance of socialization for the sake of maintaining our own sanity. If we've been cooped up in the house for too long, we feel the need to get out in the world. Actually, even after going to work or school for 8 hours a day, we still feel the need to do something more in the evenings and on the weekends. We know this to also be the case with children. That's why we sign them up for sports, extra-curricular activities and arrange play dates.

Anyone with a dog has most likely experienced getting their fingers skinned while giving their dog a treat. So what should you do about it? Well for starters, watch your energy level and tone of voice while offering the treat. If you promote that you are offering something tasty with a high pitched, sing-song voice and crazy, over-the-top energy, you're sure to increase your dog's excitement while encouraging him to get the treat as quickly (and yes, sometimes as brutally) as possible.

Anyone that knows me knows that my dogs eat about as well as a dog can eat. Their vegetation is organic and their meat is clean (free of antibiotics, hormones, etc.). I feed them what is commonly known as the BARF diet, or bones and raw food. In a nutshell, my dogs are never sick, never have fleas and they have very balanced energy.

Stewart Brand made the statement, "On the one hand information wants to be expensive, because it's so valuable. The right information in the right place just changes your life. On the other hand, information wants to be free, because the cost of getting it out is getting lower and lower all the time."

Be it vitamins, herbs or medication, the time will come to give your dog a pill. Believe me, it can be tricky. Some have tried wrapping a piece of meat around the pill or stuffing it into a bite of hot dog before feeding it to their dog. What they find is their dog hijacks the treat and spits out the pill. Clever dog! What you need is a tasty all-or-nothing option. For me and my dogs, I use peanut butter.