Too much love for one dog?

Is it possible to show too much love for your dog? Will it affect their behaviour in the long run?

I have a little Chihuahua and being so small, it is easy to carry him around and baby him. I want him to get some independence but he is not even a year old and just so darn cute. People are always petting him and he has constant attention.

I also do not want to turn out like this guy in the video, a little extreme for even me.

gib. ca/interventions

Let me know your thoughts are please.

Thanks, Sean

I for one don't think you can give to much love. Love is also teaching them good manners so that others find them love able too. Love is allowing him/ her to be a dog. ( which is what they are even though we want to turn the little ones into more babies) I have a shih tuz, and we have empty nest sydrome,, (yeah) so we have to work on allowing Abby to be a dog and not a baby,, but in the long haul, you ( and me too) will have have a much healthier and happier dog..... but you can't give to much love,, ever.

But it's possible to do that and have a well-mannered dog. I would resist the temptation to carry him everywhere and protect him from other dogs -- let him be a dog, and train him properly, and love him all you want.

I love my dog more than I ever thought I could love anything in my life! I adore him and I'm more than a wee bit obsessed with him, lol. But that means that I also try to raise him to be a polite, well-mannered dog... he's a much happier dog when he gets lots of exercise and training. Even though he's only 11 pounds, he walks instead of always being carried and he's expected to show the same behaviour I would expect from a dog 10 times his size. People still fawn all over him when we're out, because he's little, and he gets a lot of attention, but he sits politely for it and he's happy to do it because he knows that means he gets even more attention for being so polite, lol.

I've definitely found that treating him like a dog instead of a little person, setting boundaries and making him work for things, makes him happier than being spoiled every minute. He LIKES to exercise his mind and his body... don't deny your pup the chance to use his brains and give his muscles a good workout!

There is no such thing as too much love! Its just affection in a different direction; like Dingo said, love your dog as much as you want, but make sure not to baby little Chi-chi too much, train doggie properly, but love has no limits

soter

I wasn’t too sure about how to answer your question…so I went to an expert on the subject…my little Westie… Charlotte.

I sat down beside her, she was all nuzzled up on a pillow on the bed, gave her 10 kisses and asked her if I could ask her a question….she rolled on her back and as I rubbed her tummy (and kissed it a bunch of times) I asked her…”Charlotte, is it possible to give a dog too much love and affection?” She looked at me with a very serious face and answered “NO!!!!!”

So there you have it…straight from an expert…it is not possible to show a dog too much love and affection. :lovestruck:

I don't think that in general you can give too much love. However, I think sometimes great love can lead to the fact that kids as well as animals get spoilt and that this might lead to bad behaviour on their side.
I guess you all know what I am talking about - I have a friend whose 2year old son is her little angel that she adores and that she will do anything for, however, I don't necessarily think that this will be good for him in the long run, as he thinks he can get everything he wants and do whatever he wants.
I guess this can be true for dogs too!

I don't think that in general you can give too much love. However, I think sometimes great love can lead to the fact that kids as well as animals get spoilt and that this might lead to bad behaviour on their side.
I guess you all know what I am talking about - I have a friend whose 2year old son is her little angel that she adores and that she will do anything for, however, I don't necessarily think that this will be good for him in the long run, as he thinks he can get everything he wants and do whatever he wants.
I guess this can be true for dogs too!

Know what you mean Evagirl..... But someone needs to explain that love isn't spoiling a skin or fur baby... It takes a lot more love to take the time to teach good behaviour... real easy just to say yes and let things go,, but that isn't love,,, that is lack of interest....

I think it is possible to give a pet too much love, no matter how well-intentioned.

For example, thousands of pet owners "show" their pets how much they love them by handing out goodies (often times to ease our own guilt about leaving them alone all day)... The last thing that many of these dogs should have are treats but more importantly they'd likely all prefer a walk or spending quality time with their owners.

Almost all pet owners (myself included) spend money on "pointless" items that are all part of how much we love our pets (clothing, toys, accessories, training tools, beds, grooming, treats etc...) Most of which are pets do not need.

Simply lavishing endless affection on your pet often backfires if you don't look at the bigger picture. There is a lot of "love" being lavished on our pets at the wrong place and time - "love" that is misguided and that has serious repercussions for our pets.

It's definately a balancing act.

I, like everyone on this board I'm sure, love my dog and cat to pieces and can't imagine my life without them. I think we need to define the word 'love'.
It does mean protection and nurturing, but also discipline.

I constantly think Albert is a little human trapped in a dog's body. Despite what Cesar Milan and other trainers may say! :o

He is very well behaved and on the occasion he does act bratty, he is disciplined. When he's good, he's rewarded. But in general, I EXPECT good behavior just as he EXPECTS me to come home and walk him, and feed him everyday! Rewards aren't necessarily food either..just like a quick face lick makes you happy, a pat on the head and a 'good boy' can be enough too. Point is, there is a cause and effect..we are constantly learning from each other..he WANTS to please me, he wants me to drop what I'm doing and give him a belly rub..;)

like the previous poster said..as long as there is a balance. THings should be fine. By taking the time to give the right training and raise your furkids right, you are showing love.

I have heard about people with tiny dogs spoiling them too much and then getting stuck with behavioral issues like the 'napoleon complex'.
So as much as you love carrying him around, let them walk...they are beings, and need exercise just like us..have him around other dogs and people so he builds social skills. Make him work for his food, for his treats, a simple sit command is enough. Dogs crave that structure from us, they NEED that discipline. That to me, is love. Dogs are built a certain way, and we need to go by that. They aren't babies, even though they may feel that way!

Find your balance!

agree 100%

I, like everyone on this board I'm sure, love my dog and cat to pieces and can't imagine my life without them. I think we need to define the word 'love'.
It does mean protection and nurturing, but also discipline.

I constantly think Albert is a little human trapped in a dog's body. Despite what Cesar Milan and other trainers may say! :o

He is very well behaved and on the occasion he does act bratty, he is disciplined. When he's good, he's rewarded. But in general, I EXPECT good behavior just as he EXPECTS me to come home and walk him, and feed him everyday! Rewards aren't necessarily food either..just like a quick face lick makes you happy, a pat on the head and a 'good boy' can be enough too. Point is, there is a cause and effect..we are constantly learning from each other..he WANTS to please me, he wants me to drop what I'm doing and give him a belly rub..;)

like the previous poster said..as long as there is a balance. THings should be fine.

I have heard about people with tiny dogs spoiling them too much and then getting stuck with behavioral issues like the 'napoleon complex'.
So as much as you love carrying him around, let them walk...they are beings, and need exercise just like us..have him around other dogs and people so he builds social skills. Make him work for his food, for his treats, a simple sit command is enough. Dogs crave that structure from us, they NEED that discipline. That to me, is love. Dogs are built a certain way, and we need to go by that. They aren't babies, even though they may feel that way!

Find your balance!