[Katsunami]

Well, dogs... let me put in my two cents.

My dad has a small dog. It's a cross between a Jack Russell Terrier, and a Papillon. It's often said that one can't train small dogs, and I've seen many people who don't even take the trouble. I beg to differ. My father and I did train this dog. This beast is extremely smart, and does everything a big dog does (and should do), and just as welll:

No-hooo... (Stops what she's doing, wags tail, and goes off to do something else.)
NO! (Stops what she's doing, cringes, and stalks to her basket. Then sits there looking at you to call. Knows she was wrong.)
Sit
Lie down
Come here
Inside
Want to go outside?
Wait (When throwing a ball)
Fetch (Get the said ball)
Where's the ball? (Find a random toy)
Basket
Couch (Heh)
*point* Get it (For food: she doesn't eat any food that's either lying somewhere, or is given to her, until it's pointed at and the command given.)
*pat your lap* (Jumps up to sit on your lap)
Kiss (Touches your cheek with her nose)

When I visit:
"Do you want a snack?" (Flips out)
"From the doggy door?" (Races to the cupboard)
"I'm gonna get you!" (Playtime...)

Doesn't bark. Ever. Not when the doorbell rings, not when there's a thunderstorm, and doesn't howl at sirens. Loves everybody and everything. Every new animal or person is just another chance to get some more playing done.

Now, for two other small dogs, of similar size. They're in a house which I pass when I walk to work from the bus stop. First, they crash into the front door, barking and scratching. Then when I'm past, they run through the house, through the dog flap in the back door, into the garden, and start crashing into the fence, barking, snarling and whining, and even biting the bars. The owner is always shouting: "Stop that! No! Come here! Silence!!!111". It never works. Too late dude. Should have raised them properly.

When you don't know those dogs are there, you'll shit your pants first time you walk past that house. Those are two dogs I'd rather see dead than alive.