In every relationship there has to be a pack leader but how to we become the "Leader of the Pack" and get the full respect and attention we deserve? Or if we are the subservient, how do allow ourselves to become servile in certain situations while still getting the respect and attention that we crave? It's a slippery slope.

I once took Pugsley to a dog obedience class and what I learned there helped me apply the same basic logic of human dog communication to my very relationships with humans. Learning how to find the perfect balance of affection, consideration, consistency, and control.

Dominance and submission
The fundamental aspects of the dog pack. Knowing when to assert your leadership and when to let go and submit to another's willful control. Sometimes giving in is not a bad thing at all. Sometimes giving up one's control can better the relationship and lay foundation for greater rewards.

Along these lines, in the new book What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love and Marriage, author Amy Sutherland explains how secrets from animal trainers can help us deal in life and love relationships. Here are 6 genius love-life tips that we could all learn from.

1. Ignore the behavior you don't want. If a trainer asks for a flip but gets a jump, he responds with a head-to-toe poker face, because any reaction reinforces the behavior. So if your mate responds or acts in a way you don't like, it is better to do nothing at that time then jump into the situation, and fuel the fire. For instance, your mates temper flares, and you jump in, generally this only fuels his/her temper. Exercise self-control at moments like this and they will look for new (hopefully positive) ways to get your attention.
2. Accept that some things may never change. "A trainer thinks twice about teaching an animal something that goes against its instinct-good luck getting a raccoon not to wash its food," says Sutherland.
3. Make sure to compliment the behavior you do want. Remember, the bigger the effort he makes, the bigger the reward should be.
4. Don't blame yourself when he behaves badly. Good animal trainers don't take it personally when an animal won't sit and stay-behavior is just behavior. Stop asking why they are doing something to you, and instead ask why they were doing it. Maybe they are doing something because it is easy or makes sense to them, and not because they don't love you.
5. Pick your moments wisely. While at training school, students learn not to work with snakes while they are molting, because the snakes are more likely to bite. The same goes for humans. Don't try and reason with someone when either of you are sick, distracted, tired, hungry or grouchy. If you do, be prepared to get snapped at.
6. Keep your mate happy. Withholding food was once a popular technique with dolphin trainers. Today, however, handlers know that denying the animal does not inspire positive change. "Resist giving the cold shoulder and cutting off affection," says Sutherland. Use positive feedback to inspire positive change.

Try it, it works.