Trainers have realized the best and most successful way to train is through love, encouragement and praise. Like children, if puppies or dogs are treated kindly and fairly, they will more easily accept training or teaching. They might not even view it as training, but as more of a fun time. And if perceived this way, their little minds will soak up every instruction as quickly as a sponge. Of course the dog who is learning will make mistakes, and this is where the patience and understanding of the trainer plays a big role. A dog who is punished will still learn, but he will be afraid of you. A dog who is guided and gently corrected through his mistakes will be much more eager and willing to please, increasing the amount and helping to make training almost effortless. Combined with a dog's cheerful , eager to please mentality and a good trainer's patience and knowledge of proper training techniques, a puppy can be transformed into an obedient, versatile animal very easily.