I definitely agree with Lynn about the crate thing. Our year old lab/boxer has been using her crate since she was 9 weeks. She loves the thing!! Anytime anyone points a finger, in any direction, she will go get in her crate and lie down. If you say the word "bed" in a conversation she will go to her crate and lie down. Actually, she's sleeping in her crate right now, with the door wide open. We have NEVER had accidents and she was potty trained immediately using the crate. I would definitely recommend doing some research if maybe you should crate train.

On a funnier note, as far as dogs acting out of spite, my dad had a dog once that he used to keep in a room in the basement when he was away. Once, he went out to dinner after work and couldn't get home to the dog at the usual time. When he came home and opened the door to let the dog out, the dog looked up at him, stayed where he was, and took a dump on the carpet, holding eye contact the whole time. Ha!