MAN'S best friend can sometimes turn out to be a right horror, with both the owner and the dog suffering in the process.

Dog behaviourist Barbara Sykes believes that humans, the allegedly more intelligent species, should take more time to study what makes a dog tick and how to communicate successfully with your canine chum before becoming an owner.

She points out the importance of leadership and word association and stresses how vital it is to pick the right dog for your lifestyle. Even the positioning of the dog's bed can be vital to its well-being.

A dog is for life, so why not make it a good life for both of you.