A cynic may say humans love dogs because they do what you want them to. There’s evidence to suggest that cats say the same about humans: “Oh Felix, you’re only keen on that human because she shares her food at one meow,” Tom, the colony cat, might say. And so would Casper, the 
yellow Labrador.

Training a pet is a two-way process. S/he is also moulding your behaviour to get what s/he wants, just as you are. And instead of giving a command and rewarding that desired behaviour with treats, our cat or dog rewards us by purring, cuddling, rubbing or wagging her tail; or by stopping that godawful mewing. We won’t insult you, dear reader, by asking who the better trainer is. The happy fact is, just like any relationship, you give a bit to receive a lot more.