Treating our pets like our children

United States
November 11, 2009 10:29am CST
I am a dog owner... i have a pitbull puppy... he is 8 months old. i am guilty of treating my puppy like he is my child. he eats what i eat, he sleeps where i sleep, and he goes where ever i go. Am i wrong for treating my dog like he is my child... and who else is guilty of treating there pets like their children.
1 person likes this
19 responses
@saizo6 (2199)
• United States
11 Nov 09
I'd have to say no since I'm somewhat the same way when it comes to my two chihuahuas. My sister and I spoil them rotten. Even my mom, who proclaimed that she didn't want anymore pets around, spoils them on occasion. Basically, the dogs sleep in the same bed as me, I take them with me when I go out most of the time, whenever I or anyone else goes out to eat we always make sure to bring back something for the dog (a meat patty or something like that). My sister constantly buys toys and clothes for the dogs too. My mom even says that we treat our dogs better than we do people sometimes lol...but I don't think there's anything to feel guilty about. None of my siblings or I have any kids so we have to spoil someone.
• United States
12 Nov 09
Loads of ppl give me slack for treatn my puppy like a human. i guess cuz he is a big dog. he is a pitbull. =P
@skyhss (1142)
• United States
11 Nov 09
lol...my dogs sleep where ever they want...couch, hair, dog beds, my bed...they get to "do the dishes" every night and get fed bite sized pieces of what ever we're having supper. no you're not wrong at all for treating him like he's a child because that's what he is. you have as much responsibility taking care of your puppy as you would a human child...food, water, shelter, medical attention, toys, etc.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Nov 09
TRU TRU TRU... i can not agree more
@lyzabelle (1668)
• Philippines
11 Nov 09
Of course you are not wrong in treating your pets like your own children. Pets are adorable creature. They will love you unconditionally and treat you as their masters. But real children is the real deal.
• United States
12 Nov 09
Eh.. im waitn alil longer b4 i make da real children committment. lolzz
• United States
12 Nov 09
Punkster- My late Sassy was treated like a princess. She got the best brand dog food, as well as lots of treats. She was treated as one of my own babies because she was a part of our family. Dogs give love unconditionally, and as I mentioned in another thread we can learn how to have Agape love for those around us by observing our dogs (and other pets). My little Sassy was also spoiled with table food. I never fed her from the table, but I always gave her a bit on her dog plate so she could enjoy. Though, when she could she'd nab food she wanted that you may be in possession. She was also pampered by going to a professional groomer. Only the best for her. I really do miss her but I haven't been able to bring a dog into the house yet. I'm just not ready. Namaste-Anora
• United States
12 Nov 09
Awww... yea i bet... it has to b hard to even think bout replacing. Ive had my dog since da day he was born... nd i get teary eyed weneva i think of anythin happening to him.
1 person likes this
@jterrock (276)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I am guilty of treating my dog like my child! I have a 4 year old Golden Retriever, and she is SO spoiled! I love to spoil my dog though. She is part of our family! I wouldn't have it any other way. I feel as if pets become part of the family. I don't believe in keeping dogs outside ALL the time. Why have a dog if you are just going to house it outside? A dog needs love and attention. I have seen dogs chained up outside ALL the time, and I don't think that is right. I feel bad for them. But, I DO talk to my pup just like she is human. I am sure she can understand some of the things I say. They can pick up on that! I love my Golden and yes, she IS part of our family!
• United States
12 Nov 09
LOLZz... i talk to my dog too... its soo funny cuz he looks at me nd turns his head as if he is responding. He is my bestfriend... nd i love it.
• Malaysia
12 Nov 09
Your puppy is really cute... I like pets too. Not only dogs, i like cats, hamsters etc. Why would you feel guilty for treating your puppy like your own child? Isn't it good to treat it nicely. I'm sure your puppy feels happy to be with you. You should be graceful because your puppy is happy. Don't feel guilty.. You are doing the right thing.
• United States
12 Nov 09
Thnx u Thnx u... he mos def is a happy happy dog!!! nd i will continue to pamper him!!! lolzz
• United States
11 Nov 09
I personally dont have any pets other than fish, anymore. I miss having a puppy though. I was guilty of it when i had my puppy, unfortunately when i moved i was unable to keep him so i had to give him away to a friend of mine.
• United States
11 Nov 09
Do u get to visit the dog that u no longer own??
@snowcat46 (2322)
• United States
29 Nov 09
I have a 20 year old daughter. She's an adult and has her own life. But the dog she brought home lives with us. And his brother. I can't baby her anymore, or spoil her (without hearing about it, in no uncertain terms). So, I have 2 new "babies" now. THEY like it when I give them treats or go on walks with them, THEY want to be with me. So why shouldn't I spoil them and treat them like my own kids? They give me love and affection without grief. Alright, one of them does. The other one is too much like a cat. He teases me unmercifully! They both go where I go, except work. The bad thing is I have an audience all DAY. They don't think I'm capable of even going to the bathroom or taking a shower without supervision. That gets old!! Ah well, the price of love.
• Philippines
15 Nov 09
I see nothing wrong with treating pets like children.our family cats are members of the family.my mom doesn't even want to have a dog because she is worried that our cats might leave.if I have dogs,they will be treated like my babies.I will talk to them and tell them what I really feel.it's like talking to someone without any fear of being judged.
@matsulori (269)
• United States
15 Nov 09
This a yes-and-no question. There's nothing wrong with treating your Pitbull like a child, but just like children, Pitbulls especially need to be dominated. YOU need to be the alpha. You can still do all the things you do now probably, but he needs discipline, too, or you'll have a bad-mannered Pitbull running around, and no one wants that. For Pitbulls in specific, it's very important to establish early on that YOU are the boss. I have three Pitbulls, one-year-olds, littermates, and even though they're small for the breed -- 45-60lbs each, about knee high -- they STILL need a lot of reassurance on who's the daddy and mommy. We work on the NILF system for training and daily everything : Nothing In Life is Free, NILF. Make him do a short sit/stay before you give him his dinner. When you want to give him a bisquit, give him the sit/stay command, walk away a few paces and wait a few moments before you release him to come to you for his treat. He'll learn that he has to earn his treats and therefore will be better able to figure out how to please you. When you come home, make him sit before you pet him. These exercises serve to establish who's in charge. A Pitbull isn't a good first dog to have as they can be willful and stubborn. Don't be afraid to correct him when he's done something he's not supposed to. Pitbulls are GREAT dogs with wonderful temperaments. Just remember to socialize early with people and more importantly with other dogs, and train, train, train, and you'll have a happy healthy buddy.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
12 Nov 09
I am the same. I have pets and I treat them like my children. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I love my pets and as far as I'm concerned, they ARE my kids so I am 100% guilty and proud of it.
• United States
12 Nov 09
OMG... i am 100% guilty nd proud too =]
• India
11 Nov 09
yeah , i also treat my dogs as my children , they are very nice and cute.......they go everywhere......where ever i go.........they move their tail........and jumps at me , i love them a lot........
• United States
12 Nov 09
super!!!
@elrener (112)
• Sweden
11 Nov 09
I mean we can't help it i guess they are so cute. But as long as your dog is obedience and nice i dont think it wrong to love you pet :D So go on...what are pets for i mean we want companion right? :D
• United States
12 Nov 09
tru tru!!
• United States
16 Nov 09
Absolutely not! My entire business is spoiling the pooches in our lives! And let me tell ya - business is good! Send me an e-mail and I will respond with a coupon :) amie@thedogtreatjar.com www.thedogtreatjar.com
• Canada
14 Nov 09
I treat me pets like my children also, there i said it. However , I do not let them eat what I do, specially pork. Pork fat is bad to homans worst in dogs. It takes long to digest and doesn't break down very well, but all things bad like our kids what is bad is good. My dogs sleep in the house, not on my bed. they go where I take them that is ok for them... REMEMBER ALWAYS LUV/ CARE FOR YOUR DOG/ PET, THEY WILL ALWAYS LUV U..
@Shooyao (156)
• China
12 Nov 09
not only dog ,we need to treat every life like our friends even is child.Our mother planet is belong to every life in this world,so wo should to be agenerous person to other small life ,especially to our pets.
• China
13 Nov 09
I like dog also.And i want to have one.but i work in the city,and don't convenient to feed it.in my hometown ,out family have a dog ,we all like it.if we treat it nicely,and it feel happy to be with us.and dog is an loyal animal to the human.it's the human's good friend.BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR DOG.
• Uruguay
11 Nov 09
i think of my dog more like a brother
• United States
11 Nov 09
whats wrong with treating a an animal like a person?