First of all we need to buy into the far fetched method used by the murderer, a top flight, commercially successful psychologist. This came out when Dobermans were seen as the most dangerous dogs on earth. Well, they're not. Anyway, the guy's work is so complicated that the layers he puts on his act are too much and Columbo sniffs things out. It makes you wonder sometimes how Columbo can drive fifty miles to some remote location to ask one question, but that's television. No budget limits I guess. Anyway, the ultimate thing is the old eternal triangle that is at the root of the plot. Jealousy is the motivator.
Review of How to Dial a Murder
