JulieR, You have some great advice, however some people look at their pets honestly as children, and they would "never" treat their children in this manner therefore they wont do it to their dog. Yeah they aren't "hurting" the dogs by coddling the bad behaviors, however they are not helping the dog either but they don't get that and never will because its their "child"! and although they don't want to do what it takes to change it they also want to complain about the behaviors they don't like!
I am the type of mother that puts my dogs in a crate at night, and sends my CHILDREN back to bed during a storm. Both the dogs and the kids need to understand that it is nothing that is going to get them! ITS LIFE DEAL WITH IT.