So with Valentines Day around the corner is it a problem that we might think of our dogs at this time? To be honest when I see cards for just about every member of the family, then the dog, cat, goldfish etc I slightly cringe but having said that could we be swayed by a lovely doggy Valentine card?? Maybe?!
However once we have had our moment of craziness it is interesting to think about the question of perhaps loving your dog too much. At Yellow Dog we are always talking about dogs needing their space, which really is important. Perhaps too many cuddles, too many treats or snacks from the table, too many gentle chats after bad behaviour can lead to slight over love situations and this can result in our dogs possibly taking advantage of us. It is important to keep that balance between love and understanding that we must still be the master to enable our dogs to know their boundaries and live their best lives with us.
Of course there is nothing wrong with loving our dogs lots, but not to the extent that we make excuses or do not correct them when they do wrong. Many vets have even warned that treating our pets too much like humans is indeed bad for their health.
Some people may tend to overindulge with the dog outfits, jumpers, hats, scarves even doggy perfume and hair bows and prams. At this point experts are pointing out that this can even confuse our dog’s ability to regulate their temperature and impede their movements and overall affect their behaviour in a negative way. There is also the psychologist’s issue that some people can choose to focus too much attention on their pets, who don’t answer back, rather than other people, putting their pets on an unrealistic pedestal and potentially limiting their human interaction.
Everything in moderation we think, it is a joy in life to love your pets but understanding the limits and loving lots but just not overindulging. So this Valentines Day surely there’s no harm in some extra special valentine treats.
‘I Woof You’ treats, I mean who can resist?? but maybe just not the card !