It is funny how when you start talking to a dog person, you automatically start to bond with them. You realize that it takes a certain person to deal with having a dog. The joys of potty-training, long cold walks in the rain, keeping fur off of your clean plates (which by the way, are in the cabinet) and of course yourself. You know that if that person can put up with that then they are probably a good person.

I would not trade any of what I have been through for anything. My dogs have been there for me when my dad died, I changed jobs and I moved to a new house. They don't ask questions of where I have been, what I have been doing... All they want is to know that I am home and that I am as happy to see them as they are to see me. More often, than not, that is the case. There have been certain times when I come home to find that my living room has been rearranged to their tastes and they have decided to sample the delicacies out of my trash can. But, hey. That is part of the joy. I cannot get mad at them because by the time I get home they have forgotten what they have done, but I can be not overly happy...

Speaking of not being happy. My dogs know when they are doing something that they are not supposed to do. I let them know using verbal tones and sound cues to get them to stop and focus on me. I used clicker training on mine as well as snapping my fingers. It has worked well for me. You can try any type of noise distraction that will work. From pennies in a can to a chain in sock thrown on the ground, you have to be able to get your dog to focus or else you will never have control. They will become the pack leader and you will be just a member. You want to make sure YOU are the Alpha. That does not mean that you have to do anything that will hurt, or demean, your dog. It means that you need to let the dog know its place in your household. I make sure that I eat first (they go the bathroom first), that I do what I have around the house first and that they always stay behind me (off leash) or beside me (on leash)

I love The Dog Whisperer. He is definitely an Alpha. He gets dogs to do what they should be doing and lets the dog know where it stands in "the pack" of your household. It has been proven that dogs that know where they are in the "pack hierarchy" are much calmer and responsive. Those who are not sure, tend to be more anxious and have behavioral problems.

On the subject of pack mentality, I pay attention to all types of interactions with people and their dogs. I notice how the dog behaves and how the person trying to interact with the dog behaves. I have been able to put together a list of names for the behaviors of people:

1) The Repeater - This person feels that if they say the dog's name 100 times real fast the dog will either come or respond. Good luck with that. Your dog will ignore you just to see how many more times you will call it
2) The Sitter - This person thinks that if they shout commands from a sitting position that the dog will stop. Forget it. Your dog will be thinking... "If he cannot be bothered to get up to get me, why should I be bothered to come"
3) The Denier - Yes, that is a word... This person denies that their dog is doing anything wrong, out of line or possibly even exists (depending on what they are doing) If you deny you know your dog, you expect them to accept you?
4) The Screamer - Yell a little louder... They can't hear you at the North Pole! Like I would come to you if you were yelling at me... good luck with that. When people yell at dogs when they are barking, it rarely works. That is because your dog is doing its version of yelling and you are just yelling back. Try to use a calm voice.
5) The Lover - This person sounds like they have sugar dripping from every pore of their being. Your dog is too embarrassed to come to you. It is like when you were a kid and your mom dropped you off in "the family wagon"

There are ways to keep your dogs attention and control in a few simple steps. Make sure you reward for right and DO NOT hit or yell for wrong. Also speak commands clearly and in the proper tone. Do not say Sit 5 times. Say it once and wait for the response. Be consistent and don't get frustrated. Dogs will learn if you take the time to work with them. Also, make sure you take them to an obedience class and practice in areas where there are distractions. Your dog will be better because of it and the time spent working and bonding will make it so you both can be happy.