Too soft with our dog?

[heatseeker14]

My father-in-law thinks that we pander too much to our dog. I’ve changed a few things around the house because ddog has just been castrated.
I’ve put the stair gate back up, blocked off the sofas and have been sleeping downstairs with him. I didn’t think it would be a good idea for him to jump up on our very high bed while he has stitches in. Does this sound sensible or over the top? Am I a crazy dog lady?!

[Smallsteps88]

Next time he mentions it say “it’s weird that you care about this.” Then change the subject. Don’t get drawn into justifying yourself.

[moosemama]

Dh and I took it in turns to sleep downstairs for 6 months with our boy when he was ill. Dh then did it for another couple of weeks after we lost him, as comfort for our older dog. (Actually he’s down there again this week, but for himself this time, as it’s so much cooler in the living room than our bedroom!)

I’ve always done a night or two downstairs after neuter/spay ops or if they’ve had inpatient treatment for any other reason as well.

They are part of the family and if both you and they are happy, there’s nothing wrong with doing whatever it takes to meet their needs. It’s no one else’s business but yours.

[Geppili]

You can't pander to a dog too much. He's an idiot.

[StillMedusa]

My gran slept on the sofa downstairs for 6 YEARS because her dog had sore hips and couldn't manage stairs easily
She was a wonderful lady and animal lover!

[pigsDOfly]

Your FIL is wrong.

I always sleep downstairs with my dog when she's been unwell - has had stomach issues in the past - and needed to get out several times during the night.

She's frightened by fireworks and thunder and whenever there's a loud bang outside she'll come and find me because she knows I will hold her and tell her she's okay until the noise stops.

I love that she knows that she can expect that comfort from me and I can make her feel secure and not so frightened.

[Motorina]

When mine had surgery I lugged a single mattress into the lounge because she couldn't manage the stairs. She slept on the mattress, under the duvet. I slept on the floor beside it. That wasn't quite the plan, but you do what you have to to keep them comfortable. That's what love is.

[Girlintheframe]

My FIL said the same when I used to carry our pup up and down stairs as I didn't want him hurting his legs. In fact he said I was treating him like a baby
Like yours mine knows nothing about dogs or what it's like owning one.
As for pandering, I fully admit ours is pandered too. I don't care, as far as I'm concerned he's a beloved member of our family. Probably the most beloved

[79andnotout]

My family ridicule me for pandering to my dogs. They're just jealous I love the dogs more than them

[Feralkidsatthecampsite]

I most certainly did not allow my lurcher post gash stitch- up to sleep between me and dh thus 'forcing' him to fit his 6 '4 huge frame onto our 2 seater couch for 2 nights..