chugalug,
This thread has really tugged at my heart. I have been reading each post and trying to put myself in your position, and I am glad I am not really there.
I have refrained from posting cause I know I somehow offend people with the way I post on a forum. But here goes:
I want to help you for the sake of your dog. And I do not believe getting another dog would be an answer, and I do not believe subjecting a different breed would help either. Maybe a trainer could help you, I don't know. But I doubt it. Cause the problem is: The dog just wants to belong. You have said yourself that in every other way the dog is great. Okay, so the only problem with your dog is stareing and getting a window dirty? You have it so much easier than I did!!!!!!
I know you are looking for training answers and techniques, but you have given your take on the way a dog should be treated, so in all fairness I would like you to listen to my take on how a dog should be treated. I have a choc lab, a yellow lab, and a german shepherd. My labs are both hunting dogs, and the shepherd is a patrol dog. They are all welcome in my home, but the yellow lab has aggression problems towards female dogs, so that has hampered my efforts somewhat. Her and the shepherd must be seperated at all times. So the result is Shiloh the yellow lab stays in the basement or in a kennel. But all that is a last resort. So for the most part I have my choc lab, and the shepherd in the house alot. They also like to go outside and run in my fenced yard. But they would starve for attention if I made them stay outside all the time. They are very social dogs and belonging to their human pack is very important to them. I can just picture your lab sitting outside the glass doors staring at your family going about their business. I don't even see how that could embarass you in front of company, I would be embarassed for myself. At this moment good Ole' Charlie is laying under my feet, Shiloh is in the basement, and Rocket is at work with hubby. And believe me if Shiloh did not errupt with this aggressive streak, she would be in here too. Now, you might be thinking I treat my dogs as children, but that is so untrue!! My dogs are dogs, and they need companionship. I have three children too, and luckily they would wonder why if their dogs were not allowed in our home. My labs can bring in a goose or duck, and then come in the house when they all get home. Of course I don't have white carpet or polished timbers, lol, but I do have well rounded good dogs, (except for Shilohs aggression towards female dogs, not everything can be perfect).
If my husband told me I couldn't have dogs in our house, we'll I would have never married him in the first place. And if my kids find a dog hair in their dinner, they pick it out, and eat the rest. No grossing out, and no complaining, they are learning compassion for animals. I am really proud of that. And I don't think anyone ever got sick from my cooking, or our dogs. lol
If I didn't have to clean up dog hair and water bowl drool, I would be lost, literally. Something very important to me would be missing.
But one thing I don't have is excrement in my house. Just because a dog is inside does not mean that he/she spreads dog poop all over. All my dogs are fully housebroken and trustful.
Now, to try to help with what you asked, a trainer: maybe, If all you want to do is keep the dog away from that glass door, maybe you could buy some "dog off" and spray it on the deck in front of the door. I don't know if it even works but it might be helpful in your goal. I have never used it before, but who knows it might work. My guess is you would have to use it pretty often.
Blue,
If I were not already happily married, I would be chasin' you! lol
Anyway, I hope you will see many other people live happily together with their dogs in their home, I know it won't change your mind, but I wanted you to see another side, and from a person that does not treat her dogs, as her children.
Best wishes,
Julie.