Pampered Pooch

My dog is probably the most well taken care of pet in the world, my dog sleeps in my bed, with his own pillow I might add. He is constantly getting cuddles and food treats, he sits at my feet while I'm on the computer getting fed crackers or biscutes. He watches TV with us and we've even given him his own compfy seat. He's without a doubt one of the most pampered pooch I've ever met.

Do you go to these lengths to ensure your Dog's happiness?
If so I'd like to know just how much he/she is.

 

Charlie gets all his needs met, and is pretty free to as he wishes so long as it doesn't harm anyone/thing but I don't think he's pampered per se.

* He sleeps downstairs and has always been content that way. Letting him roam around upstairs at night wouldn't be safe and it's best that he's close to his 'bathroom area' (plastic sheet + newspaper, he's pretty much toilet trained but still)
* He gets plenty of attention and such, but for the most part he only gets food treats as rewards for training or just when he's been good. Think it helps him learn and he enjoys the rewards more.
* He doesn't get table food because we don't want him to get into bad habits like begging or stealing. He sometimes has a few scraps of leftovers but only when we're done eating. I'm vegetarian so there's no temptation to give him my food, and he doesn't ask.
* He does get up on the sofa, which we hadn't intended to let happen but it's not so bad. That said he can be quite obnoxious jumping up and trying to get 'his seat' back so we're working on some manners.
* We regularly buy him new toys, though he tends to be a bit underwhelmed by stuff like that and would rather play with household items.
* He does watch TV with us, golf is his favourite.
* We take him for walks when and where he likes, only in good weather. Now the weather is turning we're going to get him a rain coat. I'm not one for clothes on dogs but getting rained on isn't good for them.

 

Yes but does he get any exercise?

 

I should think so.

Couldn't imagine a dog not enjoying having a chance to walk, unless there was something really wrong.

Charlie is always happiest when he gets to run free on the beach or out in the forest (he's whistle trained and well behaved), though he doesn't mind a lead walk round the block. We follow his lead as to how much is enough.
If the weather isn't too good then we'll work around that but make up for any missed walks.

My mother has a real thing about fat/unhealthy dogs, so we do our best to insure a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

 

Sage-Phoenix, my post was directed at the original poster.

 

Yeah, I know.

You've made me curious about it too now. I'm used to measuring an animal's wellbeing by active they are, but didn't notice until you mentioned it.

 

Ah, so I see. Yeah, the happiest-seeming dogs I've met are the ones who get a good workout everyday. It cannot be stressed enough.

 

Yes he does, everyday, half an hour walks out to the shop and back.
Plus we have a one acre property and a very active family.

 

Good to hear! With that detail I must admit he does sound like one pampered pooch. I'm actually getting a puppy soon that I can't wait to spoil. Our family dog Lucy died this July after living 14 wonderful years with us and I *so* miss having a dog around. They add so much life to a family.

 

Shhhh... don't tell my boyfriend, but when he is not home I let my Ruby on the furniture. Right now she is on the bed.

We don't give her much people food we don't want her to get too fat, or get too used to getting people food. We give her peanutbutter in her Kong toy sometimes to keep her occupied. Don't want to give her too much though cause it will constipate her and that would suck. She gets her dog biscuits when she does something good, or if I'm trying to train her. And I just bought her a bunch of new toys cause I think she was bored with her old ones.

And me and her do our exercising in the evening (we run for about 2 miles) and Jeremy plays ball with her out back about every other day. She loves to chase the ball, but she gets easily distracted (almost like she has ADD or something).

Aside from that she is always with one of us. She is constantly getting her belly rubbed or Jeremy gives her ear massages which seem to put her right to sleep. She is quite spoiled. She usually watches tv with us, but she absolutely hates animal planet or anything with babies. When we leave we put the tv on for her, Jeremy leaves it on the real estate channel, but I always put on something more interesting (who knows if she can really watch it, but I'm sure she could care less about real estate). And I gave her my favorite fuzzy blanket because she loves it too, so it became hers (since she ate a hole in it) and she has her own little pillow.

Mommy and Daddy love her so much. Even when she is a pain in the ass.