Cooper: “I guess it depends on your definition of ‘spoiled.’ Like, yesterday, Lady forgot to move my blanket into the sun spot on the couch in her office so I had to choose between napping in the shade but on the blanket or napping in the sun but on the blanket-less couch. Do you call that spoiled? I. think. not.”
At first, I thought I wanted to write a lighthearted take on spoiling our pups, especially around the holidays.
Like, does Cooper want a faux fur blanket from IKEA to toss in the sun-dappled spot on his couch? Would he really want that? Or is that just me spoiling him?
Want the blanket? He doesn’t know it exists!
Deserves the blanket? Well, that’s another story. (He totally does. We’re going there this weekend to do some holiday shopping, and that blanket is coming home for Coop!)
However, as I did some light googling around spoiled dogs thinking I’d find some good memes, I discovered something: People get super-duper up-in-arms about spoiled dogs! Like, kinda crazed and a smidge bonkers.
Some, I think, are bizzaro remnants from outdated training modes that say you’ll “spoil” your dog if you let him on the bed or allow him to eat dinner before you or let him ahead on leash, or that “indulged” dogs become bossy and manipulative, or whatever… I forget sometimes that many people still buy into these myths simply because the world in which I live and work puts so much stock in science-based training. I forget that there’s a whole other side of the dog world that allows people to truly, honestly, wholeheartedly believe that if a dog jumps onto the sofa, it’s because he’s trying to attain higher ground and, thus, the assertive, dominant position over you.
Coop’s like: “Naw. I just want the squishy, sun-dappled spot. I like a pillow under my noggin. And, hey, could you see to a faux fur throw up in here? Thanks, Lady.”
So, let’s redefine “spoiled,” shall we?
I like the idea of indulging my dog because, frankly, he deserves it, and it makes me happy to make him happy! My dog doesn’t know he’s spoiled, though he does know the types of behaviors that tend to get him extra rewards like cuddles and snacks. And he likes to perform them liberally! But, he doesn’t know that a faux fur throw or an after-dinner bully stick or cuddling under the covers at night or walking ahead of me or whatever is considered to ruin his character by some humans. He does know that those things increase his joy, and I know that his increased joy increases mine.
Yes, my dog is spoiled. But I don’t care. I love him that way. I love to spoil him. He deserves it. He puts up with a lot, and he’s always happy to do whatever I want to do when I want to do it. He’s always happy to just be with me, and I appreciate that more than words, more than faux fur throws, and more than after-dinner bully sticks (though he’d take the throw and sticks over the words any day).
Two questions for you today:
- What do you consider “spoiling” when it comes to dogs?
- Is your dog spoiled?
I’d love to know in the comments whether or not you think your pup is spoiled, if there’s a such thing as a too-spoiled dog, and how do you know where the line is! 🙂
Shannon
? ? My dogs are both treated better than many dogs, hell better than many people, and worse than some dogs and people. They are definitely treated the best I can possibly treat them and if by that it means spoiled than yes indeed. They are allowed on furniture, I cook their dog food each and every week, I work at home so they are seldom left alone…spoiled? Or loved? ? ?
Amanda Garlock
“Spoiled” to me always means that there is no discipline or rules that your pup (or child, quite frankly) has to follow. And that there are no consequences to misbehavior. If Denim or Melon go to their spots during dinner and don’t bother us, there’s usually a morsel of something left over that they get to have in their spots. If they bother us and beg, there’s nothing. They’re allowed to run and play and roughhouse outdoors, but when I call them inside, it’s time to go inside. Bedtime means everyone goes to their sleeping places. But otherwise, they’re allowed to be on whatever furniture they find comfortable, play with toys both new and old, and get pets and treats for being adorable. (So long as they sit first, so that I feel like I’m maintaining some order.) They get new toys and treats just about every time I go to TJ Maxx. By some people’s opinions, my dogs are spoiled ROTTEN. But my dogs are also well behaved and know the rules. I’d rather have spoiled dogs than unhappy dogs any day.
Renee
Are my dogs spoiled? Definitely. Are they disciplined and have good behavior? Yes, although they are not perfect (which, of course, goes into that spoiled category). I do things like cover them with blankets when they are cold and they have an overflowing toy basket. I spoil them with love and attention. They live a good life.
I’m proud for them to be spoiled and admit it to the world – often. It’s even the name of my blog, Spoiled Hounds.
Stefan
My dogs are definitely spoiled. They are also well trained and have a good behaviour. You need some good treats. My dogs lov Broccoli. Not kidding. So good post. Thank you.
konadog
A few extra treats (when you know they’ve had enough) but screw it, like you said twice, “he deserves it.”
Yeah, mine is spoiled.
Kristine
I love how you phrased this. Do my dogs want a dog treat advent calendar? Do they need yet another expensive toy? Of course not, but they DESERVE it all and more.
Is it spoiling my dog to move to the floor so she can lay in her (and my) favourite chair? Maybe. It has taught her that putting her chin on the arm of the chair will get her the most coveted spot in the living room. It has also taught her that I am a pushover. Probably not an ideal behaviour/lesson. But she is my dog to indulge as I please. The older she gets, the more I am going to do so. I have – hopefully – decades to sit in that chair. My dog – tragically – does not. She deserves it.
Shadow's & Ducky's Mom
MY dogs are spoiled with love and attention and playtime. HUBBY’s dogs are “spoiled” with people food that they shouldn’t have because it makes him feel good (it tastes good to them but they pay for it later) so I still have to watch with an eagle eye. Last night I had to take away a piece of one of those big restaurant mint candies – you know, the ones that are 99% sugar and 1% mint flavoring? – and got an attitude about it the rest of the night. (It’s no wonder they were both on the brink of another IBS attack when I got home from Florida in May!)
Cherie P.
My dogs are definitely spoiled, but, like you, I will do anything to make them happy. If my dogs want something, they generally get it. They are like having 2 kids!
Erik N.
My dogs aren’t spoiled at all. In fact 65% of the time they let me sleep on my bed, and in the position I want!
Wendy
Great question! Ever since I had kids, I feel like my dog has gotten “spoiled” – mainly because I never used to let her eat table scraps – just her own food and treats, and now…well…the baby throws food to her from his high chair, and it makes them both so HAPPY… I just don’t feed the baby anything that our dog can’t have 🙂
lak
This comment is late, but I am just catching up reading after the holiday. You bet my dog is spoiled. And she is well behaved, good company, fun to watch and play with, and loved by all who meet her. I enjoy spoiling her, we both benefit, all this for a flea ridden, worm infested, malnourished pitfall pup picked up off the streets of Detroit and place in the MI Humane Society, who I was lucky enough to take home. My life has not been the same since, When I look back at all the changes and decisions I made in my life because of her I am truly amazed. She is my family!
Ruby and Kristin
I am sure some might say Ruby is a tad bit spoiled. I prefer to think of her as lucky and like you, it makes me happy to make her happy. She’s not that into stuff – toys freak her out and she prefers the couch over fancy dog beds. She LOVES ALL the treats, but she’s also prone to weight gain so that’s one area where we kind of can’t spoil her as much as I would like to!
Jennifer
My dogs are definitely spoiled! But I definitely try to keep structure and routine in their life!