Who's in charge: you or your dog?

• Scheduling playtime with your dog every week is a great way to add extra physical exercise to your walk routine. (Although by now you know it is never a substitute for the walk!) It is also a way to let your dog express the special needs and abilities of his breed. You can play fetch, swim in the pool, play with the Frisbee, and run an obstacle course – whatever your pleasure or your dog's special talent. Just make sure your dog has had at least one of his major walks before you play – don't do it first thing in the morning! – and set strict limits on the time you spend. Don't let your dog "talk" you into spending three hours throwing the tennis ball when you have set aside only one.

• Don't avoid or postpone bathing your dog just because he hates it. Though your dog probably doesn't care how clean he is, you deserve to have a dog you like to be near. There are many ways you can make bathtime a more pleasant experience for both of you. First, let your dog get to know the tub or sink in a relaxed, pleasant way, before you try to bathe him. Next, remember that in nature dogs don't wash themselves. They get in the water or roll in the mud in order to cool off when it's hot; that's a natural instinct. Use that instinct to your advantage and give your dog a good workout – a brisk walk, a run, a treadmill or Rollerblade session – before the bath. Get him good and hot (this is easier in the summer). Make the water lukewarm and appealing. You can also associate bathtime with treats, but don't rely on them. A tired, relaxed dog that's just worked up a sweat is your best bet for a happy bath.

• Don't allow out-of-control barking. If your dog has an excessive barking problem, most of the time it will be due to physical and psychological frustration. This is a dog desperate for more physical activities and a more proactive pack leader. Your dog is trying to tell you something with his bark. Listen to him!

Read more:
• Choosing the right puppy
• Slideshow: Canada's cutest pets
• 8 secrets every dog lover should know

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Excerpted from Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems, copyright 2007 by Cesar Milan and Melissa Jo Peltier. Excerpted with permission from Random House. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced except with permission in writing from the publisher.