We all assume that a pampered pooch is a happy one, but is it really beneficial to them? Can it cause behavioural problems that we could've prevented had we not bought all those treats and sparkly dog bowls?

I'm looking into writing an article whether it is right to spoil our pets, and I want to talk to dog owners who either

a) have no problem admitting that they spoil their dogs and spend a large percentage of their income on their family pets

or, b) Take a strong stance against spoiling their dogs, and have specific reasons why.

I would really appreciate your input, and I hope to get published in one of the dog glossies (teehee). It would only take a few minutes of ur time to answer some questions and you could get a picture of you and your dog in a magazine!

You can either email me at katherinerosestanton@gmail.com, or reply to this thread and I'll ask you a few quick questions.

Thanks in advance for your help

Katie

[wishbone]

Sometimes, dog deserves some yummy treats, new toys or any other spoiling things when they did good. But on real spoiling, older dogs deserve it for it is the great time for them to enjoy such things. Dogs at right and in training age should not be spoiled...

there is nothing bad if you are going to spoil your dog

Spoiling is not bad...However, it depend on how you spoil your dog...

[fioca98]

Definitely YES!! I love to spoil my dog.... all the love and money in the world is not enough for my little pooch!

Material posessions mean nothing to a dog, so if buying fancy stuff for your dog is what floats your boat, go ahead. Just know it's you you're spoiling, not your dog.

As for spoiling your dog by being overindulgent and not imposing any rules or limitations, ABSOLUTELY NOT! That will spoil your dog, in the truest sense of the word (to ruin or corrupt). The dog will develop all kind of nasty behaviours (barking, posessiveness, nipping, destructiveness ... basically running wild and not listening).

If you truly love your dog and want to do best by it, give your dog a calm assertive pack leader (you).

Spoiling with treats, toys, fancy beds, good food, whatever you want to spoil them with... that's fine.

A lack of discipline or allowing the dog to run rampant and do anything they want to... that is the wrong kind of spoiling and shouldn't happen.

I find it just ok,as long as you still have the manipulation on him/her.

[mrandrei]

Oh my dog is such a spoiled brat! It's ok to spoil your dog for as long as you're able to train him to obey you and look up to you as the authority. I spoil my dog but I know the limitations.

there are different breeds, like working class breeds. i believe all dogs like the attention, but i don't feel like its good for them to be spoiled. they want to feel needed and just love helping us. i do my best to balance it out.