usmclove

My husband thinks I "baby" Sacha (14 weeks) too much... I love on her, hold her, and play and cuddle her often and she is always at my side, and listens very well. He thinks that I am not allowing her to be a "dog". Is this bad or good, or is there no difference really in doing this?

What are some thoughts on "babying" too much?

Please opinions and thoughts are welcome!

LindaH

Two words...separation anxiety.

Teach her independence. Your husband is right, imo.

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usmclove

She doesnt currently have any anxiety, but that is a concern as she gets older... she does better than our Sibe when I leave right now. He is also referring to the attention aspect... He says she wont flourish into the adult dog she should be. Any advice?

LindaH

You have two puppies??? Are you separating them so they don't bond more to each other than to their people, train separately?

There is nothing wrong with spending time with your puppy as long as she also gets alone time. Not sure she will get that with another puppy around all the time.

Maybe you should explain what you mean by "babying".

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usmclove

Yes we have two--- they are separated the majority of the time... they choose to be most of the time honestly. They like their time together but really have not a lot of interest in each other. They do train separately, and sleep separately, and eat separately and so on...
She gets her alone time when she wants to.. her crate is her den... also she has a specific spot on the couch that no one messes with her.

By babying I mean, I will hold her and rub her belly and constantly kisses and hugs and she is the light of my eye. I make sure only the best for them, but Sacha is the baby. she gets the love loves like nobody else. I hold her and cuddle her whenever she is near, if shes at my feet with her head on my feet I will pet and rub her head the way she likes, when I shower she sits outside the tub and waits, when I wake up she lays on my chest and licks me good morning type stuff... where as Justice gets that from Dad. She sleeps with me while the Sibe sleeps on the floor on my husbands side. Also my Sibe, while attached to me, gets A LOT of attention from my husband, Justice, she is his light... Sacha tends to gravitate towards me while Justice gravitates towards him. I hope I'm explaining this correctly... it's slightly hard to explain what he means.

usmclove

she doesnt generally go to bed until I do... but if I sit shes right there at my feet.

LindaH

Ok, first...that place on the couch that "nobody messes with her" she should no longer bee allowed to lay in. Actually she should no longer be allowed on the couch at all. Keep her off for a couple of months and only allow her up when you or hubby invites her. Never allow a dog to claim ownership of anything...everything is yours not hers and she only gets access because YOU allow it. Otherwise, YOU will be training her she is boss and needs to everyone what they are allowed to do. That problem is why there are a lot of young male dobermans in rescue.

Stop petting her when she asks. You or husband only pet her when you want to. Try buying "The Power of Positive Dog Training" and "The Other End of the Leash" by Pat Miller and Patricia B McConnell PhD. You need to read and apply those books. Probably do you a lot of good to read up on the "Nothing in Life is Free" training and the reasons for it.

I am really glad you came on here and asked for opinions as I believe you were possibly headed for trouble. Dobermans are velcro dogs, so that is normal, but you really shouldn't encourage it to be stronger than is normal or you get a needy insecure dog with temperament problems.

Best wishes to you.

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Hank

I baby my dog a lot. But he was trained as a pup, that he only gets cuddles on my terms and he earns them. Annoying needy whiney dogs don't get anything.
You just need to learn when is too much, and when is enough.

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usmclove

Thank you so much!!! I appreciate all the advice. She is so little I guess its hard to NOT baby her :-/ But I definitely don't want a whiny insecure dog.

LindaH

Reading the NILIF training online and "The Other End of the Leash" will help you understand why I am saying some things. The training book will help you two bond in a positive and healthy way

You don't have to never pet her when she asks, just she has to be taught she can't demand petting and get it. There has to be a balance to it.

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