Kathmandu, March 11 -- For Abhilasha Sharma, dogs aren't just pets; they are friend, family, companion and protector. But--like with most animals, including humans--they need to be trained. And Sharma, one of Kathmandu's most popular dog trainers, is the one to do it.

"Most people don't realise that dog training is not a luxury, it's a necessity," says Sharma, a 26-year-old self-employed dog trainer and behaviourist. "For a dog and human to share a healthy relationship, it's necessary that they understand each other--and this understanding takes time and work."

Humans and dogs share a history that goes back millennia. Dogs were the first animals that humans domesticated, and there are scientists who argue that humans are the way we are ...