Bill and Charlie are neighbors. They both live in Cape Cods here in the Chicago area. Saturday mornings in the summer, when the weather isn’t so hot and dry, they cut their lawns and wave to each other from across the hedge.

Bill and Charlie both love dogs, too. Bill has a miniature Schnauzer and Charlie has a black lab. Both dogs are young and full of energy. Both dogs also have teeth. Charlie’s lab uses his teeth to chew on the bones and chew toys Charlie brings home for him. Bill’s Schnauzer chews on bones and chew toys, too. She also chews on table legs and chairs, the futon mattress, Bill’s prescription glasses, slippers, shoes, pillows and a number of other items in the home not otherwise intended for chewing.

When Charlie’s lab has to do his business, he barks a couple of times and stands by the back door. There, he looks from the door to Charlie and back again. It’s a ‘subtle’ clue Charlie recognizes and works almost as well as it would were Charlie’s dog able to talk.

Bill’s dog has a different method for dealing with those moments when nature calls. She waits until Bill isn’t watching and then takes care of business in the kitchen beyond the table and chairs she frequently chews.

When people come to visit at Charlie’s house, the lab wags his tail as though to say hello. Unless Charlie gives permission, the lab keeps his distance. If Charlie says it’s OK, the lab comes over to the guest and wags his tail until they decide whether they want to pet him.

At Bill’s house, things are a little more exciting when he has company. Bill’s Schnauzer barks constantly and charges at the guest then retreats and then charges. The whole time, the Schnauzer is barking and, occasionally, snarling.

Walks are different, too. When Charlie takes the lab for a walk, he doesn’t need a leash, though it is required by the city. The dog stays close to Charlie and responds to Charlie’s orders immediately. But, when Bill takes the Schnauzer for a walk, the dog pulls on the leash constantly, frequently gets twisted up in the leash and doesn’t seem to listen to Bill at all.

There are other differences between Charlie’s lab and Bill’s Schnauzer. The biggest difference, of course, is that Charlie took his lab to Aldens Kennels when he was a puppy. At first, Charlie took the dog there because the lab used to be hard to control. After a while, though, it turned out he and the lab enjoyed the time together while training. In fact, they bonded beyond any point Charlie had thought possible. He’d had other dogs before, and they were special, too, but the connection between Charlie and the lab was really something to write home about.

Charlie suggested that Bill should take his dog over to Aldens, too. But Bill was too busy. Besides, it took Bill a lot more time dealing with a dog that didn’t listen, chewed everything and anything, did her business in the house and was otherwise a lot to handle.

Living with a well-trained dog is a completely different experience than living with a dog that runs amok, just ask Bill and Charlie. Bill should bring his dog to Aldens where their certified trainers make all the difference in the world.

If you can relate to Bill but would like to live like Charlie, call Aldens Kennels at 815-728-1040 or visit www.aldenskennels.com.