I have owned four dogs in the past 26 years. There is only one left and she is the old baby of the house, soon to be 17 years old. That's why we, my husband and I, don't consider the four paws like animals. We treat them as our own kids. As any one, they also have their own personalities, and I respect that. I just observe their behavior and go around it. They can teach us a lot also if we only pay attention. I just love their intelligence, their playfulness, their silence, the way they look at you when are spoken to. They let you know when they are in pain, hungry, sad, happy or even when they need to go out. All with just a look.