is it normal for a new couple to treat the pet dog as if its their own offspring?

Question

Me & my hubby treat our dog as our first child. Were just newly wed..Is that ok?

Answer 1

"Normal" I dont think is the correct way to consider it. Its "not untypical" may be a better way to put it. It almost always is ill-considered for the dog's general mental well being and sometimes it physical well being. I've seen dogs fat, overfed, overpampered to point of near death by well meaning over indulgent owners, and have had to explain how to test blood sugar and how to give insulin because of it. Its unfortunate that the goodintentions of those who manifest their love in a way that is usually unhealthy for the dog. The animal in question is almost never the better for it. And by being over permissive, poor leaders and bad disciplinarians, they tend to reveal their parental style. They are the parents who's children are screaming and cursing and hitting at them in the supermarket.
People who refuse to give discipline WITH the love have angry children, without set boundaries their children flap aimlessly in the wind, in a world with no parameters and therefore grow up lashing out at a world they have no skills to understand when others try to impose society's rules.
They tend to raise out of control dogs and out of control children. I hope you understand that part of your love for your dog, indeed, the best way to prove it, is to provide RULES, GUIDELINES, DISCIPLINE, BOUNDARIES SO YOUR PET KNOWS WHERE IT STANDS AND THE WORLD ISNT A SCARY UNKNOWN QUANTITY. Youre supposed to provide teaching and knowledge and LEADERSHIP. Swathe the rules and regulations in alot of love and you have a pet that is happy and secure in the knowledge, THAT MOMMY AND DADDY HAVE EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL, THAT THE BIG SCARY WORLD CONFRONTING THEM HAS TO GET THRU MOMMY AND DADDY FIRST and THEY ARENT EXPECTED TO BE IN CHARGE and it allows them to be the loved one, and not feel that they have to fill the parent/alpha/leader vaccum. Someone has to LEAD the pack. ALMOST ALL mammals are hardwired this way. The happiest dogs that I've encountered are the dogs whose owners understand this dynamic and STEP UP. The dog relaxes and gets to just be a dog. Get it?
So there's nothing wrong with you treating this dog as a surrogate for the moment, just dont abandon them if and when a real child comes along. The pounds are filled with dogs whose owners loved them until the little heir showed up and suddenly the former "first child" is an inconvienence or they have to get rid of it because its jealous. You should know that "rehoming" these dogs almost never works and usually winds up in the pound or euthanasia room. So PLEASE, love the hell out of your dog, but be fair and let him be a dog so when a real child comes along he isnt discarded.

Answer 2

No it isn't okay, this could leave you with a BIG problem! A dog is a pack animal and needs to be taught its place in the pack - it needs discipline and boundaries (not so unlike kids actually). Have you trained it? You should, or you could end up with a spoiled monster that will resent your real children, if you have any.

I'm not saying you mustn't be nice to your dog - obviously you can lavish all the love and attention on it you want, just make sure it knows that it is bottom of the pack and that everything you give it is on YOUR terms.

I had friends who owned a dog that they treated like a baby until they had their own family - then they were so busy, the dog was largely ignored and I've never seen a sadder animal. It was wild and untrained and my kids were scared of it because it was moody and would snap at random. Be warned!!!

Answer 3

Yeah it's normal, any pets can be like substitute children. It isn't recommended with dogs though - dogs are not people, and should not be treated as such or they end up with behavioural problems.

I met this Jack Russell yesterday, only 10 months old, already very aggressive because his 'daddy' only every gave him cuddles and praise when he was naughty. But it was his 'daddy' he was more likely to bite, he would never dare be naughty with the woman, who actually disciplined him!

Just be aware that dogs are dogs and you'll end up with a right monster if you don't treat them the right way - which will be a problem if you ever want kids.

Chalice

Answer 4

If you need to ask someone what's normal then I think you might think it's a tad bit off center. I think you can love your dog as much as you want, but remember...he/she isn't your offspring! Love and protect and enjoy your new "friend" but don't go over board, that's an easy way to have some of your friends and family distance themselves from you...not everyone understands where you are coming from and may see your over reaction towards your pet as way off base. Just think when your "real child" is born, the dog may not accept the baby and feel jealous...just food for thought. Have fun with your puppy ( is it a puppy?) and treat him/her as a valued member of your home. Good luck. Give the puppy a hug from me (smile)!

Answer 5

I think it's great. But, keep in mind that your dog is not a child, and will need some discipline and regular rules. Dogs view their families as a "pack" and in this pack there are leaders and followers, you will have a much happier and calmer dog if it has some rules it has to follow to show to him/her that you and your husband are the leaders in your pack. For instance, most dog trainers will tell you it's a bad idea to allow a dog to sleep in your bed with you, it's recommended the dog sleep on it's own bed in the house.

Answer 6

Yes, most people say that their dog becomes their baby, and is seen as part of the family.

Beware, though: spoiling a dog excessively can lead to bad behavioral problems, so discipline when it is needed, and reward for good behaviors.

Answer 7

Yes and no.
yes if you plan not to have other dogs; but they will be come spoiled and jealous of other people and animals.
No, if you paln to have other animals and children, dogs will become possessive, spoiled and will have behavioral problems later on.

But keep in mind you want to be the leader of the pack not your dog.

Answer 8

hi , its fine to treat him like that we do just the same with our 9 month puppy , we have 4 kids well 5 if you include our pup , we love him loads as well but he knows hes not top dog ,there is nothing i wouldnt do for my pup just like you ,xx

Answer 9

yeah, I find the way men treat their dogs is usually how they end up treating their kids.

Answer 10

i disagree with the person above me my dad treats my dog like a queen but abuses me