A few random opinions -
(1) I'm all about a good mutt found on Craigslist or from a friend. Ever heard of "mutt strength"? Basically, pure-bred = in-bred. Doesn't work well with humans, and obviously doesn't work well with dogs. (Hip problems being a prime example.)
(2) Even though you often don't catch dogs in the act of peeing inside, you can always take them over to the pee (/poo), show it to them, and if necessary, push their nose close to it (not in it) and smack them on the bum, throw them outside - they will quickly learn they should not go inside. Or at least, ours do.
(3) I also disagree with obedience school - according to my partner who is a bit of a dog expert from heaps and heaps of experience - it is just teaching your dog to be bribed. They shouldn't obey because they are going to get a treat, they should obey because you are the boss, and if they don't, there will be consequences.
(4) I also think the Dog Whisperer is off base, from the little I know about him - I have not read/watched him very much at all but friends have told me about him - and they subsequently had their dogs put down. I just disagree with the things I have heard about his theory. I tend to think dogs are not anywhere near as complicated as people make them out to be - as long as you lay down a good disciplinary foundation from the get-go rather than trying to make radical changes when they're already a year or two old.
I never had a dog until a few years ago, and again, am lucky to have a partner who knows heaps and heaps about well-disciplined dogs (being a boar hunter - very mustachian way to get a couple hundred pounds of free-range pork, by the way!). I've learned everything I know about dogs from him - no books or psychology or anything - and it really does seem like common sense. The main things I've learned, I suppose are: Get a mutt. And some breeds don't mix well, so get a good mix. And by now, I'm sure it's obvious that I reckon, a mix is the only way to go. Treat it like a dog- aka it wants to run off the leash and chase shit and protect you, not be a little show pony and only prance around on a leash slightly behind you. And if it doesn't, I have to wonder what sort of breeding antics would produce such a tame creature from wolf ancestry. Also "they are very simple creatures and should be treated as such." Sage advice.
I totally realize many many people will not share my opinions, and good on ya, different strokes, etc - but this is what I, as a very opinionated sort, reckon and would happily defend.