For books, I like "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend," by the Monks of New Skete. It's also good to whistle-train them: get a dog whistle and a bunch of treats. Blow whistle, give treat. Blow whistle, give treat. Repeat a whole bunch of times. When you walk the dog off-leash, always bring the whistle and the treats. The dog can hear the whistle up to a quarter of a mile away. NEVER blow the whistle without giving the dog a treat. You will end up with a sure-fire way to get the dog to come to you.

I have been offered an 18-month-old border collie and am seriously considering it, but have been afraid to bring it up to my husband, who is very grouchy about having any more dogs. (The rats just aren't enough!) The dog will end up in the pound unless a home can be found. She belongs to the sister of someone I work with, and only needs some training, doesn't eat furniture or make messes in the house. (What she does do is try to herd the sister's four-year-old like a sheep; not a problem for us.)