Our dog has become like our child. She has her own room and bed, is she becoming too humanized?

Question

What I mean is that she is getting rather demanding. She wants a drive every night, likes ice cream cone as treats from Mc Donalds, and cries if I pass it up. She squeaks her ball to get attention away from the TV if we watch it too long. She goes to her room and gets into her bed, with a pillow, when she cannot stand the TV any more, which is upstairs. She sleeps with her head on a pillow and her favorite toy. She tells us when she is hungry by sticking out her tongue, and will not go to the bathroom in the backyard, if one of us is not there outside with her. I cannot undo this, as she is set in her ways, or should I?

well, more info. We have not had a dog for 18 yrs and she was given to us by our grandson, who could not keep her any more. She is only 2 yrs old, Lab, and we have had her 1 yr. This has been growing over the past year. We kept her outside at first, but it was either too cold or too hot. She hated it, as she had been an inside dog. We allow her to run the show, but it is getting demanding. We are retired w/o kids, so she is our child. She sits upright on the couch, and puts on little shows for us. She does run the show, but we are just too in love with her. I love to hear from you as we are very unexperienced in raising a dog right now.

Answer 1

None of the things you described are bad things. As the good "dog parent" you can teach your pet the proper way to behave. This dog is one that is very attached to you and loves being at your side. It's okay to take her for a ride when you want to but she doesn't have to be in the car every time it moves. Tell her "no", give her a loving pat and leave her safe in the yard. Ice cream isn't good for dogs anyway - too much sugar. Why not keep a few dog cookies in the car and give her one of those when you pass McDonalds. If you have a safe place away from traffic where she can use the bathroom unsupervised, take her out, stay a few minutes with her and go back into the house. She may fuss but she will eventually do what she is supposed to do. Please be sensitive to very cold or hot temperatures. Also, dogs are "den" animals so she likes her room or her crate. Let her go to her room to sleep or just be alone when she wants to. Put a few toys in there to keep her company. Feeding your pet in the morning about the same time is also a good idea. It gives them a chance to be active enough during the day to get rid of the calories. Night time eating will eventually cause a weight problem in dogs the same as it does in humans. They really are just little kids with fur. Give her lots of love and attention and gently teach her how to be a compatible family member. You won't regret it.

Answer 2

Although I never take my dog/dogs to a dog park, I know exactly how you feel as I've owned Dobes for 30 years, and at one point had four of them. IMO, some people do target certain breeds, just because they can, and because they have no knowledge of the breed they are targeting, but rather by seeing certain breeds portrayed as being aggressive on a movie they've seen on TV. It sounds like you have lovely dogs, and are a great owner, but you can't change the mind of someone who has never been around your breed, has no knowledge of them, and is not willing to learn anything about them either. They have a small breed, and in their eyes, a small breed can't do the damage that a large breed can. In some ways that's right, looking at the physical aspect of it. But if a dog, any dog, starts a ruckus in a public place where there are dogs running free, it can indeed start something that ALL those 25 dogs have the capability of joining in on. If that were to happen, both dogs and people can be hurt, including their own child, just because THEIR SMALL DOG has started problems. Sometimes it isn't the breed that's targeted, but the size of the dog, as well. If you would have two Springer Spaniels, I'll BET this person wouldn't have said a word to you. Yes, I have a Doberman now, and yes, I also own a small Poodle mix. I rarely walk my two dogs together, although my Husband does. When I walk our little Poodle mutt, everyone wants to pet cute little *Tyler.* When I walk the Dobe, they cross the street when they see me coming. The guy you talked to is just plain stupid. While his SMALL dog might not kill anyone, it sure as heck is capable of starting trouble for the WHOLE group of dogs at the park, which ultimately can be the exact reason why people could get seriously hurt. Being a Doberman owner for 30 years, I'd say YES, this IS breed targeting. Most people would rather hug a Great Dane or Newfie (even considering their size) before they would come within 300 feet of a Doberman, unless they have ever owned a GOOD one in the past. Oh, and MY two children were raised with Dobes, not small dogs. My oldest Son will be 36 in Sept. and my youngest will be 32 in May. My youngest Son has a one inch dog bite scar on one of his butt cheeks. Guess what breed he was bit by?......A Toy Fox Terrier.

Answer 3

Exactly the kind of thing I have been talking about for months here. Dogs are being treated like humans and then the owner realizes that he made a mistake and now what? Start treating her like a dog. That means a crate, dog food and going outside and staying out there til she is done. If you cannot grow a spine and do what is right for your dog, give her to someone who will treat her like the dog that she is. You have many more surprises coming, soon she will growl and bark at you and family members and then she WILL bite you or someone else in the family. You have a dominant dog in the making. What should surprise me but does not is the stupididty of the people here who make excuses for her and encourage the idiotic behavior you have been exhibiting. None of them know or understand dog psychology yet, they pretend to be responsible dog owners.

Answer 4

Hi there is nothing wrong with this - your dog is your 'mate'. I also have 3 dogs that is living with me in the house - yes they are demanding in their way - but not like kids (they are more). Dogs is a man's best friend, I believe if you look well after your dogs - they will do the same- in their way. Love your dog and enjoy the company of your dog.

Answer 5

When she starts doing the dishes, taking out the trash and paying income tax, only then will she become TOO humanized!

Gotta love your dogs, right? I have a pit bull in the house who is my constant companion. I take him to nursing homes and children's hosptials in the area....he loves the attention and treats!

Answer 6

I think you're lucky to have such a wonderful dog and one that is so full of character.
If you can manage with her regime then that's fine.
If and when any of her habits get to the stage that you find intolerable then that is when you draw the line.
Mine.like yours and others thinks he's human too or at least ought to be.And isn't that what makes them special?
Mine hasn't discovered MacDonald's yet.Perish the thought!!

Answer 7

Personally I don't think there is anything wrong with how you treat your dog- as long as you can deal with it. You made your bed now you have to lie in it.. It isn't the dogs fault, she is just doing what you have allowed her to do.

I like Macdonalds too.. Can I be your dog?

Answer 8

maybe she is becoming too humanized but atleasst she is loved. there are dogs tht are suffering out there and would love to have the life ur dog has. so be happy with the way she is. she's lucky to have an owner like u who cherishes and cares for her. so wat if she's a little spoilt. it makes them so much more appreciative. but maybe try to be a little more strict this way she knows who's the boss.

have fun with her. she will always be there for u!!

Answer 9

Just keep doing what you are doing.. There should be more people like you. Very lucky dog you have there.

Answer 10

I have 4 dogs. 3 of them are yorkshire terriers. They all have their own beds, blankets, and favorite play toys. They all share the same bedroom. I think it is important for dogs to have their own space. It is equally important for them to have a bed of their own. I have all my dogs beds, blankets, toy boxes, medicine, grooming equipment, and feeding dishes in their room. This helps me keep the doggie clutter down to a minimum. And, more importantly, if I need a break from them I can put them in their room where they are comfortable and have everything they need. They can also go in and out, so if one of them wants a quiet nap they can go to their space.
If one of them misbehaves I tell it to 'GO TO YOUR ROOM" I never shut the door I just tell them they can come out when they are ready to be good. This works very well for me.
I know alot of people who have dogs instead of children. And like my dogs they are usually spoiled. But their is a stopping point to the spoiling. The dog should eat dog food not table food and the amount of treats given should be kept to a minimum.
Remember that a healthy fit dog is a happy dog.
Keep on Loving it.
It sounds like your dog runs your house instead of you. Remember that you are incharge. It's ok to tell the dog NO. It's ok for the dog to go to their room if they are tired of the TV. If the squeek toy is interupting your TV time then put it up before you go watch TV. For my dogs going for a ride in the car is a privilage. They cannot go with me if they have misbehaved. And I have made a point to not take them every time I go somewhere, so they don't expect to go. Instead of taking him for a drive at night spend 5 minutes playing one on one with him in his room. After that put him to bed. It's ok that he has a pillow and sleeps with a toy. My dogs have pillows. They also have a bed time. Each night we play and them I tell them it's bed time. I put them to bed and cover them up with their blankets. Once I've put them to bed they are not allowed to come out of their room unless they need to potty. Mine usually sleep through the night with out needing to potty.
How do you know the dog won't potty in the back yard with out you their? If your watching thru the window or door they know. And believe me dogs have more patience than humans. He'll wait for you to come out if he knows your watching. Just put him outside, shut the door, walk away and do something else for 10 minutes. Go back to the door and let him in. When he can't wait any longer he'll go outside.
Dogs can be like a demanding, michevious 2 year old child. Discipline, teach, play and love them like they were a child. Don't let them get away with things you wouldn't let your child get away with.