I don't really care if people baby their dogs or treat them as replacement children. What I don't agree with is people who don't even allow their dogs to be dogs. For example, never allowing them to walk on the ground, not letting them play with other dogs, basically just carrying them everywhere and treating them like accesories. It's an easy way to make your dog neurotic and afraid of most situations.
I think if the Oprah thing is really about one of her dogs it's kind of lame to advertise it like this to arouse interest, but I think dog behaviorists and people like the dog whisperer do know what they're talking about and can be helpful in rehabilitating aggressive dogs and finding reasons for bad behavior/methods to curb it.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter