I think you misunderstand me-- what I mean is that you don't think of them as pets or work animals.

Pokémon aren't dumb, and several species can be more intelligent than humans. Think of them instead as your partners, and all of you as a team. Treat them like you would treat the members of a group or team with you as the leader.

It helps that you respect them though, but it should go both ways. If they don't respect you in turn, you would have even more trouble.