You spoil your dog

We get accused of spoiling our dogs quite a lot. The best response we ever heard, and we’ve been using it for years, is “It’s not like he has to grow up and be a responsible taxpayer!”

As dogs have taken their rightful place as members of the family, dog owners are accused of treating their dogs equal to, or even better than their children.

Seen from a certain point of view, it’s true. Parents have to demand more from their children. Their job is to raise them to be contributing members of a society that they understand. Children are capable of learning “right” and “wrong.”

Dogs aren’t. That implies a moral compass that dogs don’t have. They can learn what’s okay to do and what’s not. But some of those lessons will never take hold. Like trying to get your dog to stop eating grass, even though it makes him throw up. (Yes, Booker, we’re talking about you.) 

It’s just not in their DNA

Your dog never has to hold a job, pay the rent, or be responsible for anything other than abiding by the rules of the house. In many ways, dogs are perpetual toddlers. You’re always responsible for their behavior, no matter how old they get to be.

What difference does it make if you “spoil” your dog? We’ve had training students who seem to be embarrassed that they give their dogs a treat for coming into the house every single time. They’re usually surprised when we’re totally okay with that. Why not? The dog did what they were supposed to, did their “job,” so why not reward them? Our dogs still get praised and rewarded for pottying outside. The oldest is 15, the youngest is six. They’ve all been housebroken since puppyhood. But we still appreciate their effort!

Another “spoiled” example

People with old-school dog training history will insist that they go through doors before the dog. Or that dogs shouldn’t be on the furniture. Let alone sleep in bed with you.

If you don’t want your dog on your couch or bed, that’s fine. But if you do, who does it hurt? It’s not spoiling your dog to have your companion with you. That companionship is why you have a dog in the first place. It's your dog's job.

Feel free

The next time someone accuses you of spoiling your dog, feel free to use our favorite response. And if you find a way to turn your dog into an income-producing responsible taxpayer, let us know. We’d like to get on board with that.