Dog trainer Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis is co-author of 18 books about dogs, a behaviorist, a popular radio and television guest, and host of the PBS series "WOOF! It's a Dog's Life!" Read all of Uncle Matty's columns at the Creators Syndicate web site at www.creators.com, and visit him at www.unclematty.com. Send your questions to dearuncle.gazette@unclematty.com or by mail to Uncle Matty at P.O. Box 3300, Diamond Springs, CA 95619.

The grumblings of the contemporary dog owner sound like descriptions of a disgruntled ex: "The dog growls at my husband whenever he hugs me." "Our dog lunges and snarls at me if I try to snuggle with my husband on the sofa." Or, just last weekend at an event in Northern California, "The dog won't let my wife sleep on our bed."