For all humane dog owners: What do you feel the relationship is between controlling people and their dogs?

I live in an apartment building in Brighton, MA and seem to be surrounded by plaintive pleas of unhappy pooches:( Some of them live within my building and some live in neighboring apartments and houses. A couple of them in particular sound so tortured and sad. I've no doubt that the area I live in would be relatively confining for a dog to begin with. There are nicer people who own dogs here, too. I'm hoping that they're not part of what I'm describing, but I am noticing a larger pattern with controlling people, the vibe they eminate through harsh vocal commands, and their dogs who suffer. Do any of you humane dog owners and lovers of dogs in general notice this too?