Distinguishes them neighbors the younger brother ( also helps toughen happiness 40 club trials. I often get phone calls from distressed owners who are having trouble with their dog. Let's listen on a phone conversation between myself and a typical dog owner.... let's call her Armstrong. dog is being difficult! I can't make him do anything. He only listens to me when he's the mood. Me: I Would you say is behaving rudely? What do you mean? How can a dog be rude? Ah, how indeed! Let us count the ways! Me: Does sass you back when you tell him to do something? Does he bark back at you? Well, yes, sometimes. If he doesn't want to do something. Me: Does he ever grumble at you when you wake him up? Or when you try to move him off his favorite chair? Or when you reach toward his food bowl while he's eating? Or when you touch some sensitive part of his body, like his tail or stomach or paw? Yes, he does growl sometimes, but he's just telling me not to bother him. Me: Does he brace his legs and refuse to let go when you try to take something away from him? Yes, if it's something he wants to keep for himself. Me: Does persistently nudge or pester you for attention when you're trying to read a book or talk on the phone or visit with guests? Yes, when I'm not paying attention to him. Me: Does sometimes steal food off your plate when you leave it unattended? Does he get into the trash? Um... Me: When doesn't get his own way or when he's upset with you, does he ever act out by chewing things up or somewhere the house? Why, yes.....I think he does it to get back at me. Me: When you reach your hand toward does he sometimes dart away from you, keeping just out of reach? Yes, he does....he doesn't want me to catch him if I'm going to put his leash on or give him a bath. Me: When you catch doing something wrong, does he run from you? Does he lead you on a around the house or yard? Uh-huh. So he can't be scolded. He doesn't always come when I call him either, unless I have a cookie. Me: Does decide who's welcome your home and who isn't? Does he bark or grumble at visitors even after you've let them Does he pitch a fit when he sees another dog? Well, if he's excited... or if he doesn't like them... Me: Ah, and if he does like them, is he calm and polite? Or does he jump all over them? Silence. Then.... I'm beginning to your point. Me: And you said he only obeys when he's the mood. You're right, does do quite a few of those things. But are they really that bad? Me: I'm afraid Those behaviors are rude and disrespectful. If a dog is allowed to do things that are rude and disrespectful, he starts believing that he is higher the pecking order than YOU are. And the pecking order is...? Me: It's like a ladder of hierarchy. Dogs are sociable animals who like to live with other sociable animals a group or pack. This pack instinct is built into your dog's genes, and it's a good thing. It's the reason dogs fit tightly into our families. You when a dog joins your family, even if your family consists only of a single person YOU a pack is formed. Oh, yes, his mind it certainly is, and his instincts compel him to seek out its structure. Who are the leaders, and who are the followers? I'll give you a hint.....whoever is allowed to set the rules and make the decisions are the leaders. The rest are the followers. If you and your family members 't establish yourselves as the leaders, your dog