Wife2Kids, I don't know if this would help you in your situation with your dog but one apparently very important thing I learned about dealing with dogs from the vet is that dogs experience higher-pitched voices such as a woman's voice and a child's voice DIFFERENTLY than they experience low-pitched voices. I learned this because I had difficulty with my brother's very large dog, who lived with me for a few years. Apparently they "hear" men's voices much better and therefore obey men more. So, whenever I commanded the dog I adjusted my voice to come from deep in my chest, basically tried to use a man's voice. You may benefit from doing the same and trying to get your kids to do this also. After I changed, the dog was MUCH more obedient. It might actually be funny for the kids to do this too, and get a few giggles in trying. I hope it all works out.