Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Is this a mistake? Puppy and 'babying'

41 replies

FuckingHateRats · 13/07/2022 22:04

Absolutely ready to be told we need to cut it out.

Our puppy is coming up 11 weeks. She's doing BRILLIANTLY - sleeps through from 10pm-6am, has picked up toilet training fantastically well (not a single poo accident ever, and we're going days between wee accidents), has been v quick to pick up basic commands (recall by name, and sitting / waiting / down)

We're loving having her in our family, and have reverted to treating her a bit like a baby at times. When he comes in, my husband picks her up and cradles her and gives her kisses. When we watch TV in the evening, she gets to come up and lie on me sometimes (see photo).

Is this a terrible idea? Do we need stricter boundaries? Or is this fine and as long as we continue with the training, we can indulge her with affection as we currently are?

Is this a mistake? Puppy and 'babying'
OP posts:
ArcherDog · 13/07/2022 22:09

Well this is my 9year old ‘baby’…

Sounds fine, nothing wrong with loving your dog!

Is this a mistake? Puppy and 'babying'
Ashamedteeth · 13/07/2022 22:10

My dog gets all of this and is fine!

she’s two now and naps on my when she feels like it - not now whilst she’s so hot! And often its just a half hour spurt before going for a proper sleep on the floor (or the windowsill - no shes not a cat 🤣)

she has no issues being left alone for a bit, and she doesnt expect a pick up and cuddles when i do come home - even though i do!

you are your dog’s whole world, so i think its really important to give them that kind of attention sometimes!

thistimelastweek · 13/07/2022 22:11

That dog looks cuddle deprived to me!

More cuddling is my advice.

Otherwise she sounds perfect.

longcoffeebreak · 13/07/2022 22:12

You think that's bad mine is on my bed already 😀

Is this a mistake? Puppy and 'babying'
UrsulaPandress · 13/07/2022 22:13

Meh. Who cares.

My first dog never sat on my knee nor on my bed.

My current (rescue) sleeps in my bed.

I wish my old boy had.

Snowdaysandhappydays · 13/07/2022 22:13

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Original poster
FuckingHateRats · 13/07/2022 22:15

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at poster's request

She's a mini poodle/labradoodle cross.

OP posts:
Original poster
FuckingHateRats · 13/07/2022 22:17

Thanks everyone. It feels instinctively right and also has not interfered with her sleeping all night in her own bed ( in our room, not a crate, just a dog bed) but first time dog owner made me question it.

Love the photos of the snggled up dogs!

OP posts:
cheeseisthebest · 13/07/2022 22:20

Enjoy it, thats what dogs are for!

villainousbroodmare · 13/07/2022 22:22

If you will always be happy for her to sleep on you/ jump on you/ your bed etc irrespective of muddy paws or nice clothes etc, AND if she is genuinely utterly sweet-natured, then fine.

If the rules aren't going to be consistent then it will be much fairer to her to learn to settle and interact in the way you would like in the future. "Sometimes allowed" is not fair on her.

If she has a bit of sharpness or irritability in her character - won't really know that yet - you'll probably be better off to have her as an off-furniture dog.

I would also ask for something for everything - use your treats and cuddles to encourage behaviour that you like as opposed to a sort of 'pay homage to the Empress and shower her with gifts' iykwim. It definitely fosters a better mindset in the dog.

Obviously none of the above means you don't show her plenty of affection!

She is really lovely.

ArcherDog · 13/07/2022 22:26

For balance, as you can see above, my dog is allowed on the sofa and sometimes sleeps on my bed. However when we visit my parents he is not allowed on the furniture at all and he knows this and it’s not an issue.

So it’s not an ‘all or nothing’ thing.

Cookiedough123 · 13/07/2022 22:33

After losing our dog after 12 years last year. We got a pup shes around 13 weeks now and we shower her with love and cuddles. They arent here in our lives forever and I will now appreciate every moment with her even more. She was exactly what we needed a little bundle of love. Spoil them rotten but obviously make sure you have your boundaries x

SingingSands · 13/07/2022 22:39

Every dog owner I know treats their dog like a baby, I can't think of a single one who doesn't.

My brother's dogs are so spoiled that we all refer to them as the favourite grandchildren 😄

WildWestHero · 13/07/2022 22:48

I carried my new pupper German Shepherd around with me so she didn’t pester my ‘oldie’ Shepherd. Consequently, the pupper now age 7 comes everywhere in the house with me, even the loo, she sits by the shower or bath and also sleeps with me.
She was never ever covered in kisses or had raspberries blown on her round puppy tummy, or had her velvety ears tickled - oh no, absolutely not ever, nope!
Mine gives me so much love, is delighted to see me every day, cuddles up, never judges, and makes my day - every single day. Why on earth wouldn’t I give her loads of love and cuddles back? She’s the last thing I see at night, and the first I see in the morning.
cuddle away, op!!!

MaryLennoxsScowl · 14/07/2022 10:51

Mine had resource guarding issues over his spot on the sofa at around 6-8 months, and growled. We worked with a trainer and taught him to get ‘off’ it when asked (as he’s endlessly nosy walking out the room helped as he would always run after you, and we taught ‘up’ too), and never just pushed him off. He also learnt ‘shift’ for move over, and he’s absolutely fine now - no resource guarding any more. Just make sure when your pup is old enough that they learn you can tell them to get off it when you choose, and this seems to stop issues. Don’t manhandle them if they’re making a deal of it in case you get bitten, plus they also get entrenched in the bad behaviour.

Hoppinggreen · 14/07/2022 10:53

SingingSands · 13/07/2022 22:39

Every dog owner I know treats their dog like a baby, I can't think of a single one who doesn't.

My brother's dogs are so spoiled that we all refer to them as the favourite grandchildren 😄

I dont
I love him to bits and he’s very well cared for but he’s a dog not a baby.
However, I don’t judge anyone else for doing it as long as it doesn’t lead to behavioural issues later

Bunty55 · 14/07/2022 11:24

I have two pugs. One of them is 20 weeks now and fully 'our baby'. It is ridiculous and lovely all at the same time. Nothing wrong with a little lot of love.

twistyizzy · 14/07/2022 11:30

FuckingHateRats · 13/07/2022 22:04

Absolutely ready to be told we need to cut it out.

Our puppy is coming up 11 weeks. She's doing BRILLIANTLY - sleeps through from 10pm-6am, has picked up toilet training fantastically well (not a single poo accident ever, and we're going days between wee accidents), has been v quick to pick up basic commands (recall by name, and sitting / waiting / down)

We're loving having her in our family, and have reverted to treating her a bit like a baby at times. When he comes in, my husband picks her up and cradles her and gives her kisses. When we watch TV in the evening, she gets to come up and lie on me sometimes (see photo).

Is this a terrible idea? Do we need stricter boundaries? Or is this fine and as long as we continue with the training, we can indulge her with affection as we currently are?

Ok so personally I love my dogs but they are dogs not babies. I have a young DD so am always wary of resource/space guarding and for that reason never allow my dogs on sofas etc. Most resource guarding doesn't rear its ahead until 1yr old + and can include guarding people/space.
Of course mine gets love and attention but I never baby them.

Sweetleftfood · 14/07/2022 11:53

Aww love cuddling with my 6 yo terrier, he used to be more into it, no he prefers the floor or his bed, sometimes he comes up in the morning in bed for a proper cuddle, nothing wrong there

rainbowandglitter · 14/07/2022 12:00

My dogs are working dogs so are absolutely dogs and not babies. I've read loads of articles from behaviourists that treating dogs like babies cause behaviour issues, stress and anxiety. They are animals and need treating like animals not like baby humans.

Fraaahnces · 14/07/2022 12:02

I have a 56kg malamute/Newfoundland/shepherd cross who does the same. At least yours is more practical and doesn’t push you off the couch.

twistyizzy · 14/07/2022 12:06

rainbowandglitter · 14/07/2022 12:00

My dogs are working dogs so are absolutely dogs and not babies. I've read loads of articles from behaviourists that treating dogs like babies cause behaviour issues, stress and anxiety. They are animals and need treating like animals not like baby humans.

This!

easyday · 14/07/2022 12:08

No issues with your dog snuggling on sofa or in your bed.
But I'd stop with the picking up and kissing when you/ your partner gets home. I think you should always leave without fuss return without fuss, otherwise may be setting yourself up for separation anxiety. You can then settle yourself on the sofa and let the dog know it's cuddle time.
If you are home all day start leaving the pup in its own for a bit and increase the time, your aim is to get it used to being alone for up to four hours without stressing itself out, and coming and going without fussing helps with this.

Hoppinggreen · 14/07/2022 12:21

easyday · 14/07/2022 12:08

No issues with your dog snuggling on sofa or in your bed.
But I'd stop with the picking up and kissing when you/ your partner gets home. I think you should always leave without fuss return without fuss, otherwise may be setting yourself up for separation anxiety. You can then settle yourself on the sofa and let the dog know it's cuddle time.
If you are home all day start leaving the pup in its own for a bit and increase the time, your aim is to get it used to being alone for up to four hours without stressing itself out, and coming and going without fussing helps with this.

Excellent advice

WildWestHero · 14/07/2022 12:29

My German Shepherd is 7 now and has never shown any signs of stress, anxiety or behaviour issues. She has her own crate with her blankets & toys in it and wanders off for a snooze there sometimes (it’s never had a door on it) she also settles in there - it’s in the kitchen - if I go out.
We are each other’s comfort and company after my husband died and I totally adore her. I’ve had GSDs all my life and they’ve all been fussed over with no issues at all. They are totally loyal to their owners and I sleep soundly with her next to me.