5 signs your dog is spoiled

Each pet owner pampers his pet in his own way: some give him a pedicure, others hug him constantly, and still others feed him for no reason. A spoiled dog is not necessarily a bad thing, because it means you love a furry friend. Pampering only becomes a problem if it starts to affect the dog’s health and behavior, or your wallet.

Let’s break down five bad dog habits and look at creative alternatives to express your love in a different way.

1. The dog asks for hands on a walk

What happens when a dog gets tired from long walks? If you often carry it in your arms or carry it in a stroller, your dog may be spoiled. But if your dog often seems tired after even a little effort, it may be time to take him to the veterinarian to make sure there are no health problems.

But if your dog is doing well, try rewarding him for a long walk, such as a treat or cool water. If she gets tired quickly, play closer to home, such as in a nearby park or even at home.

2. You know the owner of the local pet spa by name.

Have you ever received a message from a local masseuse asking if your dog is doing well after his last spa visit? If you answer yes to this question, perhaps the dog is spoiled – although very well-groomed.

Dog spas offer a wide variety of services, from massages and baths to more advanced grooming treatments such as ear cleaning and nail trimming. You don’t have to use a grooming professional to meet your dog’s needs for hygiene and massage. With the right tools and the right advice, you can do most of these things at home and get even closer to your dog in the process.

3. The dog sleeps with the owner. Or is the owner sleeping in the dog’s bed?

Imagine: at 2 o’clock in the morning you wake up from a light push in the back with a paw. With one eye open, you can see your dog stretching out on the bed, taking up more space than even the largest dog would ever need. You:

1. Gently wake your dog up and tell him to get off the bed.
2. Move your dog to the edge of the bed, making more room for yourself.
3. You yourself will crawl to the edge so that the dog can sleep peacefully.

If you chose 2 or 3, the dog may be too spoiled. Almost half of pet owners sleep with their pets, according to the American Kennel Club, but under certain circumstances, co-sleeping with a dog can be a problem. If your pet is starting to have behavioral problems, including signs of aggression, you probably shouldn’t let him into your bed. Perhaps it’s time to organize a separate place for the dog to sleep and contact a veterinarian or dog handler.

If you find that you want your dog to sleep separately, you can still make your bedtime special. You need to devote a few minutes to hugging and playing by the bed.

4. The dog has clothes for every occasion.

It’s one thing to have outerwear for your dog to keep him comfortable in cold and wet weather, to protect his paws from hot pavement and salt. But if your dog has more outfits than you, it might be time to reconsider. To avoid unnecessary expenses, get creative and make your own dog outfits. You can even use your own clothes that have become unnecessary.

5. You enjoy showing love through food.

If the dog was smart, you might reward him by offering a dog treat. Choosing this way to pamper your pet, you need to remember that it affects his health. Extra treats are a fast track to weight gain, which comes with a host of other health risks for your dog.

It is important to know that treats should make up no more than ten percent of the dog’s total daily caloric intake. You should also avoid feeding table food to your dog without the advice of a veterinarian, as such food can affect dogs much more than humans. For example, in terms of calories, one hot dog eaten by a dog is equivalent to four hot dogs eaten by the owner.

If you notice signs of pampering in a dog, this most likely means that you are trying to create an atmosphere of maximum love and care for him – and that’s great. The main thing is not to forget that nothing will make a dog happier than precious moments with you.