Qshake,
What is the dimension looking like and what do you want it to look like? When you say, force the dimension line between extension lines, what do you mean? Is the dimension line defaulting to the outside? If so, the way to fix that is Element>Dimensions>Terminators>Inside. If that didn't help, please explain your situation so I can be of some assistance.
... breaks ... I agree with you when you have client-specific standards, but when you are using your own company standards, I feel that placing a "real" dimension is better and faster. It is faster to place and faster to manipulate.
Hope this helps,
Mike