The rest of the world thinks Americans are crazy for the way they treat their dogs: Doggie day care? Gourmet dog food? Ultrasounds? According to Business Week, Americans spent $41 billion on their pets in 2007.

That's all fine, but Vladae Roytapel, the self-proclaimed "Russian Dog Wizard," says American pet owners are not giving their dogs the most important thing they need.

"Your dog needs to know you are the boss," he says. "Humans, we don't like having a boss so much, but your dog? He loves it! Dogs need to know the order of things. They need to know who's in charge."

And that, of course, should be the household human. How dog owners communicate their status to their dog makes all the difference between a well-mannered canine companion — and the kinds of dogs that keep Roytapel in business.

Listen to audio: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112517290 

From Genes To Growls, Decoding 'The Modern Dog'

Talk of the Nation, May 15, 2009 · Stanley Coren, author of The Modern Dog, joins other experts to discuss the latest in canine science — including how dogs influence child development, what the canine genome reveals about human cancer and a new device that allows dogs to bark at their masters over a cell phone.

Genetics And Evolution Of The Dog

Talk of the Nation, February 13, 2004 · Hounds, terriers, beagles, boxers, shepherds, schnauzers and mutts: What other species of animal comes in as many shapes and sizes as our best friend the dog? In this hour, we'll look at the genetics and evolution of the dog. How and when did dogs diverge from their wolf ancestors? And what can we learn about human diseases by studying the canine genome? We'll also take a look at the unique relationship dogs have with people. They were the first domesticated animal to move in with humans. What has allowed us to live together so successfully.