@Quercus:
Well…yes....BUT...don't you think there is also a large component (especially for B owners) of how you set the dog up? A lot of Bs just can't be trusted unsupervised, and that isn't something you can train...you just manage them by keeping them safe when you aren't there. And you get a covered garbage can, and you put your purse up, etc...
But, yes, for the most part, I totally agree with that sentiment...sadly 
Sometimes you get lucky, and you do everything wrong, and the dog still turns out okay 
Yes that's why I said "mostly". Of course some human/dog combos should be avoided. The avid gardener who has an immaculate yard should avoid owning terriers for example. And as much as I work the recall (okay, I've been slack in the winter) I don't think a basenji mid-rabbit chase will turn around and come back to me. But if you remember, last time I tried the rabbit/basenji/recall combo, Zest retrieved a 1/2 dead rabbit and put it right at my feet. Ick, but for me, that says huge volumes about my relationship with her and our training.
And of course if you dog is unsupervised, your not really training him (although he is learning). I find people most often have problems with the self-rewarding behaviors. "But I didn't train him to counter-surf." :rolleyes: And yet, the dog was still rewarded for doing so. Management and setting up the pup for good behaviors/habbits are both important tools in our toolboxes.
Understand what your dog finds rewarding and use that information.
