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What constitutes a 'spoiled' Chihuahua?

2627 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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I'm told my dogs are spoiled.
If spoiled constitues a dog that is trained to walk on leash, be polite in public, allowed to play in a large fenced backyard, come in the house and use their 'indoor manners,' crate and house trained and allowed to go for rides (to run errands, pick up the kids at school, etc), cuddle time when I say it's ok, down time when I say it's time, then yeah, my dogs are spoiled.
They are taught the rules of the house and are given special treats, proper vet care, etc. I don't think that's spoiled, I think it's right. But, then, I don't have dogs locked day after day in a lonely backyard or wandering the streets (like so very many unfortunate dogs around here). Some of mine even wear cutsie clothes or one even gets colored for holidays and special events.
We even adopted an older, retired due to an injury working cattle dog. She was to live the life of luxury as a pampered house pet. She got depressed. My daughter decided she needed a job to do, so began to teach her to track. She's 10 years old and thriving now. Happy go lucky, playful and feels she has a purpose. Spoiled, no, happy to be alive and loved - YES.
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I don't plan on making Bacchus earn a living, but if he wishes to try tracking or OB or whatever, I'll try it with him. I think most dogs are happy to have a 'job' to do. His job could very well be 'executive lap warmer.' lol
Although, my toy poodle's job is Zombie/Ghost Patrol since he just randomly pops up and barks/growls at what appears to be nothing. lol

Spoiled, no, my dogs aren't spoiled. Extremely well loved with made up jobs and titles, weeeeeeell, there's a definate possibility of that. And just because Bug wears bows and sports a full contenential trim and must be combed out daily (sometimes more often), I don't think that's spoiled. I can't wait until Bacchus is ready for clothes and necklaces and a job description of his very own.

Actually, my dogs aren't spoiled, they work very hard at amusing and relaxing me. They earn everything they get.

With my job (high volume trauma center) and my life, (divorced single mom of teens) my dogs aren't spoiled, they are very necessary stress relievers. I'll dress up and spoil my dogs because it makes me happy. Spoiled, no, pampered - definatly.
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I don't think any of the dogs we are discussing here are at all spoiled. They sound like happy, beloved family members. So, we dote on them a bit, isn't that why we got them in the first place?
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