Spoiled Rotten Pets on Nat Geo Wild

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#2
I have, and people can believe that I can have control over them yet allow them on the furniture and sleep in bed with us. Spoiled rotten doesnt mean my dogs are asshats who have no manners and run my house.
 

Whisper

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#3
I haven't seen it.

To be honest, I get a little irritated when I hear the word "spoiled" when it comes to dogs. I know someone who thinks her dogs are spoiled because she feeds them dry food, canned food, turkey, and ground beef every single meal. The result is dogs who enjoy their meals but are obese. They certainly don't benefit from their diet. Her sweet old long haired dachshund had such overgrown nails they curled all the way around and punctured the pad of her paw. Yet if you ask this person, her dogs are "spoiled to death."

Most people who think their dogs are spoiled do one of 2 things:
1: Buy them a bunch of crap. Collars, leashes, clothes, jewelry, overpriced beds that say "Princess" on them; whatever. I love buying my dogs collars and random crap. But they really don't care if their poop bags are pink or what awesome pattern is on their beds. That's using them to spoil me. ;)

2: Let their dogs get away with anything they want, refusing to train their dogs even basic manners. People who giggle when their dog growls at somebody or snatches food off of a guest's plate.

No, my dogs don't get away with anything they want. They don't have diamond encrusted collars. They don't have their own bedrooms. They do, however, sleep with me, get dirty rolling around in horse manure, have fun training and playing with me, they get massages and are constantly told how often they are loved. They are happy. So screw "spoiled."

Disclaimer: I am not saying there is anything wrong with buying dogs a lot of stuff. I love getting accessories and toys and various things for my dogs. I just don't think Millie, for example, cares how pretty the paisley collar I got her is.

ETA: Yes, I've been told my dogs are spoiled because I'm picky about their diet. *shrug*
 

JessLough

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#4
I have, and people can believe that I can have control over them yet allow them on the furniture and sleep in bed with us. Spoiled rotten doesnt mean my dogs are asshats who have no manners and run my house.
But... that's what spoiled rotten infers. There's a difference between spoiled, and spoiled rotten. Spoiled rotten is basically getting anything you want your way... which is basically running things. It's in the name.. Spoiled rotten.


But to the OP, nope, never seen the show.
 

Whisper

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#5
But... that's what spoiled rotten infers. There's a difference between spoiled, and spoiled rotten. Spoiled rotten is basically getting anything you want your way... which is basically running things. It's in the name.. Spoiled rotten.


But to the OP, nope, never seen the show.
Makes sense, though it also made me think, spoiled isn't exactly a good sounding word either. Ruined, gone bad, decayed.
 

Dogdragoness

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#7
People think that I spoil my dogs because I dont like to use the word "no" with them... Instead if I see them doing something I dont want them to do I call them over to me & ask them to do something I DO like. ESP with Buddy, because he has such confidence issues ... I try my best not to even let him hear any negetive words or actions & people think I spoil my dogs because I give them raw bones, offer them a stimulating, enriching enviroment & spend $80 for every bag of their food. Uh ... sorry but I'm not going to feed them crap ... if that makes them spoiled then so be it LOL.
 

Cheetah

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#8
I've had people accuse me of "spoiling" my pets, just because I bathe them every month - INSIDE, because I feed them better than average food and because I keep them inside and trim their nails LOL. Also I guess training is considered spoiling by some people cause I've also been accused that way.
 

JacksonsMom

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#9
Never seen the show, but I don't get Nat Geo Wild anymore on my cable.

This reminds me of an episode I saw of It's Me or the Dog with Victoria Stillwell and I remember there was owner who had out of control little dogs. They were always pooping all over the house and such. BUT, they were showing her brushing her dogs teeth, and combing their hair and putting it up in a topknot, and she would homecook their food and stuff and I remember Victoria giving this like :yikes: face when she saw them brushing their teeth? I mean, yes they weren't the best trained dogs in the world and they had a pottying and barking issue but they WERE being taken care of. Went to vet when needed, nails were clipped, being fed good food... and there was another where she was making this one person throw away all her dog clothes except for one jacket.

Like, I see nothing wrong with all these extras and accessories and whatnot, so long as the dog is healthy, not miserable, getting exercise, etc.

I mean, I say Jackson is 'spoiled' sometimes. When I see him over on my bed, with his legs straight up in the air, tongue hanging out fast asleep, I'm like 'you're spoiled rotten!' He also has a bagillion collars, he's got some cute hoodies, shirts and jackets, and yep I brush his teeth for health reasons, I get him groomed every 8 weeks or so, I like to get him checked yearly for bloodwork, etc, he's very well taken care of. But I think the reason he's more spoiled is because he gets to do a lot. I'm constantly finding new places for us to walk and explore, or swim, or we're visiting family and friends together, he's always got something going on and is having a blast. He's really got an amazing life. So, spoiled? Sure. :) But more-so because he gets to do a lot of things that probably 85% of family pets will never get a chance to experience, not because I think he's an actual human child or anything like that. He's very much a dog's dog. But he also gets tip top care and a lot of the most 'expensive' things, not necessarily because I'm some kind of a diva, just because I enjoy spending my well earned money on him and enjoy buying him nice things and the the like.
 

Dogdragoness

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#10
How could you not spoil jackson ... hes sso freaking adorable ... every pic I have seen of him is like ... there really isnt a word to describe them ... hes like a freaking doggy model :D
 

Cali Mae

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#11
Never seen the show, but I don't get Nat Geo Wild anymore on my cable.

This reminds me of an episode I saw of It's Me or the Dog with Victoria Stillwell and I remember there was owner who had out of control little dogs. They were always pooping all over the house and such. BUT, they were showing her brushing her dogs teeth, and combing their hair and putting it up in a topknot, and she would homecook their food and stuff and I remember Victoria giving this like :yikes: face when she saw them brushing their teeth? I mean, yes they weren't the best trained dogs in the world and they had a pottying and barking issue but they WERE being taken care of. Went to vet when needed, nails were clipped, being fed good food... and there was another where she was making this one person throw away all her dog clothes except for one jacket.

Like, I see nothing wrong with all these extras and accessories and whatnot, so long as the dog is healthy, not miserable, getting exercise, etc.

I mean, I say Jackson is 'spoiled' sometimes. When I see him over on my bed, with his legs straight up in the air, tongue hanging out fast asleep, I'm like 'you're spoiled rotten!' He also has a bagillion collars, he's got some cute hoodies, shirts and jackets, and yep I brush his teeth for health reasons, I get him groomed every 8 weeks or so, I like to get him checked yearly for bloodwork, etc, he's very well taken care of. But I think the reason he's more spoiled is because he gets to do a lot. I'm constantly finding new places for us to walk and explore, or swim, or we're visiting family and friends together, he's always got something going on and is having a blast. He's really got an amazing life. So, spoiled? Sure. :) But more-so because he gets to do a lot of things that probably 85% of family pets will never get a chance to experience, not because I think he's an actual human child or anything like that. He's very much a dog's dog. But he also gets tip top care and a lot of the most 'expensive' things, not necessarily because I'm some kind of a diva, just because I enjoy spending my well earned money on him and enjoy buying him nice things and the the like.
This sums it up well for me. I know I get much more excited about new clothes and collars than Cali though. :p

This doesn't have much to do with the topic, although it does relate to the expensive food. I was watching "Hit and Run" last night and it had a scene where the "bad" guy was in a grocery store when he noticed a guy buying a generic food brand for his pit bull. Basically ends with the guy freaking out and yelling at the man for feeding his dog "compressed saw dust" and forces the kibble into his mouth after dragging him out back with the dog's leash. I might have laughed a little too hard at it, if I was to be honest.
 

Whisper

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#12
I've had people accuse me of "spoiling" my pets, just because I bathe them every month - INSIDE, because I feed them better than average food and because I keep them inside and trim their nails LOL. Also I guess training is considered spoiling by some people cause I've also been accused that way.
I've actually gotten the opposite. I'm so mean and my dogs are so miserable because I train them. :rolleyes:
I could see it if I was some drill sergeant constantly using oppressive methods, but nope, it's just the fact that I "don't let them just be dogs" by training them to listen to me.
Of course this comes from a person who has two very unruly large dogs (a rottweiler and lab/GSD x) that she has to physically force to do what she wants because they won't listen to a word she says.
If spoiled means I have to grab my dogs by the scruffs of the necks and try to lie on top of them so they won't rush out the front door, I don't want to be a part of it, lol.
 

ACooper

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#13
Have not seen the show because we don't have satelite anymore (a luxury we gave up when I got laid off and decided to just stay home permanently) but I can picture pretty much what it'd be, LOL (and ya, I'd probably watch it if we had the channel! LOL)

I haven't seen it.

To be honest, I get a little irritated when I hear the word "spoiled" when it comes to dogs. I know someone who thinks her dogs are spoiled because she feeds them dry food, canned food, turkey, and ground beef every single meal. The result is dogs who enjoy their meals but are obese. They certainly don't benefit from their diet. Her sweet old long haired dachshund had such overgrown nails they curled all the way around and punctured the pad of her paw. Yet if you ask this person, her dogs are "spoiled to death."

Most people who think their dogs are spoiled do one of 2 things:
1: Buy them a bunch of crap. Collars, leashes, clothes, jewelry, overpriced beds that say "Princess" on them; whatever. I love buying my dogs collars and random crap. But they really don't care if their poop bags are pink or what awesome pattern is on their beds. That's using them to spoil me. ;)

2: Let their dogs get away with anything they want, refusing to train their dogs even basic manners. People who giggle when their dog growls at somebody or snatches food off of a guest's plate.

No, my dogs don't get away with anything they want. They don't have diamond encrusted collars. They don't have their own bedrooms. They do, however, sleep with me, get dirty rolling around in horse manure, have fun training and playing with me, they get massages and are constantly told how often they are loved. They are happy. So screw "spoiled."

Disclaimer: I am not saying there is anything wrong with buying dogs a lot of stuff. I love getting accessories and toys and various things for my dogs. I just don't think Millie, for example, cares how pretty the paisley collar I got her is.

ETA: Yes, I've been told my dogs are spoiled because I'm picky about their diet. *shrug*
Oh I agree with so much of your post Whisper.....sooooo much!

Especially ------> Buying your dog lots of collars and fancy things? That REALLY doesn't 'spoil' the dog....it spoils YOU. I don't find a thing wrong with it, it's your money....buy what makes you happy, but again....the dog doesn't care a fig about a fancy collar that's all for us humans.

I want to say something my oldest son's pediatrician told me that has stuck with me over the years. My mother kept nagging me that I held him too much....I'd rock him to sleep, and sometimes I'd still be holding/rocking him when he woke from his nap (never having put him to bed....just loving him the whole time) She went to one of his appointments with me and felt it was her duty to "tattle" on me to the doctor. Keep in mind my son was an awesome baby....never made a fuss over much, it was hard to know even when he didn't feel well because he was just a GREAT baby (not biased, LOL, I have my other kids to compare!)

Anywho, she blurted out to the doctor the she felt I was 'spoiling' my son (who was about 5 months old at this time) and all the reasons WHY she felt this way. Much to her surprise, the doctor did NOT side with her..........he retorted "What does "spoiling" mean Mrs. xxxx?......does that mean the baby is loved TOO much? Is that even possible?"

My mom-----> o_O and speechless! HA! So yes, that has stuck with me.

I think some people might show their love in the (for lack of better word) "wrong" way, but at least their dogs ARE loved and cared for right?
 
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#14
Never seen the show.

People seem to think that I spoil my dogs because.


-they are groomed regulalry (hell Im a dog groomer, so offcourse they are. if you were a car mechanic Im sure your care would be in top shape too)

-fed decent quality food. (Sorry I dont want them to be fed junk that just wrecks havoc ont heir teeth, coat, skin, insides)

-walked/exercised daily. taken offleash for a good run int he woods atleast a hour a day (dogs, all dogs need a daily outlet IMO. all dogs should be given atleast a 30mins walk a day IMO)

-sleep ont he couch beds, have dog beds. (I wouldnt want to sleep ont he hardwood floors either)

-have a massive amount of toys and chews/bones. (Id rather them be on their own chewing a bone, then chewing my shoe, couch, walls each other ect lol)

-come with us camping, cottages, road trips. (why wouldnt they tag along. they enjoy coming and we enjoy having them with us. when we do trips with out them, they stay home. but if they can come, they do. Most people invite them before us lol. Ryans aunt loves the boys. she invited them to the cottage for a weeding even lol. we didnt bring them, I didnt think it was appropriate to have them there for a wedding)

To me that is not spoiling them. Im looking after them. I may have higher expectations then normal dog owners. But every one has a passion/hobby and dogs are mine.

I wouldnt call you out for spoiling a car if you looked after it, washed it, changed oil often, cleaned the inside with a shampoer, gave it high quality gas ect. thats your thing, so be it.
 

crazedACD

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#15
I've been avoiding the show. It seems like it would be offensive to me, the commercial showed a lady sleeping with rats, and a pig getting a bath? Seems like there is a trend for making fun of people that make any sort of effort to take care of their pets. Same thing with humane treatment, if you question anything, you are associated with a PETA mindset. :rolleyes:

And then on the other hand I don't really want to watch people who treat their dogs like beauty pageant children...they never go running outside, they never get to get dirty, they never get to be dogs. Some dogs that are 'spoiled' like that have behavioral issues and seem to be in a constant state of stress.
 

sillysally

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#16
People think my dogs are spoiled because they get supplements, "expensive" food (I don't even tell people what I spend on dog food anymore), and Jack gets therapeutic care for his elbow dysplasia. They think the birds are spoiled because they get toys and large cages. Umm, parrots pretty much need toys and large cages.

Honestly, I'm not much of a collar and leash person. Sally has two flat collars, a martingale collar, and a halti. Jack has 3 flat collars, a prong, and they have like 6 leashes between them and a couple harnesses. I do buy Halloween costumes if there is a Halloween dog party I'm going to, and have bandanas. I consider all that stuff things for me though, because I think it's cute.
 

OwnedByBCs

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#17
Sadie is actually spoiled because she pretty much does get away with everything. She climbs into laps without asking, she has been known to steal a lick from a plate while I'm using it, she has to sleep in a crate with a highly plush dog bed, she can't walk over puddles and she insists on having things go her way.

What can I say, she's a major bitch, but I <3 her and she does so many cool things to make up for it. LOL
 

Shai

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#19
It's not spoiling unless it's harmful to them.

It wouldn't be spoiling my dogs to get them all a couple Paco collars -- they would be unaffected (well, except for the part where I wouldn't be able to afford to feed them anymore :p).

It would be spoiling them to give them a treat whenever they asked, because they are foodhounds and would likely become fat, or at least unruly. It would negatively affect their health and, if it undermined their training (which it would over time) it would also restrict the activities in which they can participate.

They live in the house, which provides shelter and protection and thus prolongs their life expectancy. They could live in a well built kennel, but they don't because I choose to have them live in the house for social, entertainment, and security reasons. It doesn't harm them to live in the house, it's just a choice I've made. Not spoiling.

I require my dogs to chill or quietly self-entertain while off-duty in the house. Not chilling in the house would, for us humans, be a reduction in quality of life because it would drive us batty. So for our dogs, allowing them to constantly harrass us and be hooligans would be spoiling because either we or the dogs would suffer at some point. For someone who doesn't mind that sort of thing, allowing it is not spoiling since no one is harmed by it.

I could keep going but hopefully that explains my mindset well enough.
 

Dogdragoness

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#20
Never seen the show.

People seem to think that I spoil my dogs because.


-they are groomed regulalry (hell Im a dog groomer, so offcourse they are. if you were a car mechanic Im sure your care would be in top shape too)

-fed decent quality food. (Sorry I dont want them to be fed junk that just wrecks havoc ont heir teeth, coat, skin, insides)

-walked/exercised daily. taken offleash for a good run int he woods atleast a hour a day (dogs, all dogs need a daily outlet IMO. all dogs should be given atleast a 30mins walk a day IMO)

-sleep ont he couch beds, have dog beds. (I wouldnt want to sleep ont he hardwood floors either)

-have a massive amount of toys and chews/bones. (Id rather them be on their own chewing a bone, then chewing my shoe, couch, walls each other ect lol)

-come with us camping, cottages, road trips. (why wouldnt they tag along. they enjoy coming and we enjoy having them with us. when we do trips with out them, they stay home. but if they can come, they do. Most people invite them before us lol. Ryans aunt loves the boys. she invited them to the cottage for a weeding even lol. we didnt bring them, I didnt think it was appropriate to have them there for a wedding)

To me that is not spoiling them. Im looking after them. I may have higher expectations then normal dog owners. But every one has a passion/hobby and dogs are mine.

I wouldnt call you out for spoiling a car if you looked after it, washed it, changed oil often, cleaned the inside with a shampoer, gave it high quality gas ect. thats your thing, so be it.
Yeah LOL you should see the looks on people's faces when I ask for beef ribs or marrow bones or whatever & they are like "for DOGS?" LOL
 

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