I think peeps select characteristics in animals that are reflective of self. My dogs to date? Beagle, Husky, German Sheps and Pit Bulls. Not a fan of what I call 'footballs'.
I'm angry about it, but yes, my dog does look like me. He was cute and calm as a puppy, but now he's loud, obnoxious, always running around, and always following someone around. He seems to have no other purpose but to follow someone. I should have trusted my previous feelings of not liking dogs, but I didn't. I know now for the future that dogs and I just aren't meant to be. No hate for the dog lovers. We just have different preferences in pets.
Scenic... the dog trains the owner, not the other way around (really). Figure out how you should be trained (mentally) and train him from there... e.g., when do you need/want him to sit, not follow, not jump, etc? Train "you" to follow through as needed! It's work, yes! As I said "you" need to train "you"... after that, all will fall into place and "your" dog will be the perfect dog 😉
I don't want to explain it all, but technically, he is my parents dog, just also mine when I'm at home. I picked him out, though : ) But, they don't discipline him, and I can't do anything about their actions. He knows to listen to me, though. More out of fear, then love, etc, though. If I ever, for whatever odd reason, get a dog strictly for my own, I will remember that, though. Hehe, I've watched the Dog Whisperer quite a few times, so I got some good tips by him memorized, too!
What do you think?