As the owner of two dogs (german shepherd and black lab), I can attest to each dog having particular attitudes, whims, levels of discipline. For example, the Lab, while a disciplined dog, loves to play and play tricks on his adopted brother. I had a third dog for a few days, and when I discovered first-hand how michevious Jack Russel Terriers are, I gave him back, after the dog disciplined me!

So when the O’Malleys call their Airedale a “problem dog”, maybe the problem was really “problem owners”.
Problem owners are people who own a dog(s) as decorative items, much as one would buy a potted plant or the ditzy girl celebrities carry dogs in their purses for TV attention. would. People who really like dogs, their unconditional loyalty, and companionship, would be smarter than the O’Malleys.But then again, they probably aren’t dog lovers, the dog probably knows he’s being used as a publicity stunt. so American dog owners would be impressed by the bland O’Malleys.
The dog may really be frustrated. Maybe the dog thought something like this: “those heathens are so liberal, they yell at me whenever I bark at intruders, they yell at me for playing with the kid, I’m going to bite my way out of this hell.” They are smart dogs, after all…

ML:

Yes, problem owners is exactly the way I see it. Poor Scout! Fired in favor of a spaniel, good grief. Not that I don’t like spaniels, mind you, but…they’re not airedales. Airedales are a constant challenge, which is why I can’t imagine life without one in the house.