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What constitutes a 'spoiled' Chihuahua?

2602 Views 22 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  BorderKelpie
When approaching this issue seriously, it is hard to decide if one has crossed the line and is in fact spoiling one's chi. We have found, now going on three months with him, that Simcha is incredibly affectionate and loyal. There is a short period of time, a while after breakfast, his morning walk and some play time, when he is willing to go off by himself and take a nap. But the rest of his waking hours he is almost always looking for playtime and affection.

And, he can often be extremely demanding of attention. Needless to say, we usually give in to these demands, and almost never ignore him in an attempt to make him more 'independent.' I would like to think this does not constitute spoiling. For example, he expects to spend time cuddling with us on the upstairs sofa in the evening before his bedtime, which he spends alone in an enclosed porch. He makes it clear by his behavior at nighttime that this is a contractual obligation, and has learned the meaning of the phrase: "Let's go on the sofa." The phrase practically makes him go crazy, and we absolutely must fulfill the promise.

Is there a point at which acceding to very considerable demands for attention and affection creates a spoiled dog? It seems hard to be a casual chi owner.
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There are soooo many different facets of spoiling and then definitions vary between owner to owner - food, behaviour, letting any bad behavior slide, doing exactly what they ask you to, when they ask you to (except opening a door for potty :)) etc.

Mine only get cuddled, receive attention etc. when I feel like it. They wouldn't dare jump on or scatch my legs for attention, if they jump up on the side of the bed whining to come up, if I hold up my palm & say no, they'll immediately walk away & amuse themselves. They wouldn't dare beg for food or even watch me eat, they're quite happy to be separated at meal times & the one locked out will not whine or whinge to come with her mates even though she can see them (she's on a diet), she just lays in her bed quietly until I come & let her back in. Most of these things have never been trained into them, they just somehow "know" what's acceptable & what's not - I think this breed has the gift of intuition, an over abundance of it in fact. I feel truly blessed with my tribe.
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