The Truth About “Spoiling” Your Dog
- celestegoodhope
- Sep 26
- 2 min read
If you’ve ever been told, “You’re spoiling your dog!” you probably wondered whether that’s a bad thing. Maybe it was after you shared your couch, bought a new toy, or cooked a special meal for your furry friend. The word “spoiled” often carries negative weight, suggesting that giving too much love or attention somehow creates problems.
But here’s the truth: dogs can’t be spoiled by love. Problems don’t come from kindness or affection—they come from a lack of structure, consistency, and boundaries.
Love vs. Indulgence
There’s a big difference between showing love and overindulging your dog.
Love means providing affection, attention, enrichment, and meeting your dog’s needs.
Overindulgence means giving in to behaviors that are harmful or unsafe, like feeding table scraps every time your dog begs or allowing them to demand attention on their terms 24/7.
Love is never the issue—confusion is. Dogs thrive when they know what to expect, what’s allowed, and how to succeed in your home.
What “Spoiling” Really Looks Like
When people say a dog is spoiled, what they usually mean is that the dog hasn’t learned healthy boundaries. For example:
Barking at the door until someone gives in
Refusing to walk on leash and being carried instead
Guarding toys, furniture, or food because they’ve always gotten their way
These behaviors aren’t caused by too much love—they’re caused by unclear communication.
How to Balance Love and Structure
You don’t have to withhold affection to avoid “spoiling” your dog. Instead, focus on balance:
Set Clear Boundaries - Decide what’s acceptable in your home (e.g., can your dog be on the couch?) and stick to it. Consistency prevents mixed signals.
Reward Desired Behaviors - Treats, praise, and play should reinforce good choices like calm greetings, waiting patiently, or coming when called.
Provide Mental & Physical Enrichment - Spoil your dog with puzzle toys, sniffing games, walks, and training. These outlets give them a job to do and prevent boredom.
Practice Consent & Respect - Pet your dog when they invite interaction, not when they’re uncomfortable. Respect builds trust and strengthens your bond.
The Best Kind of “Spoiling”
Instead of worrying about spoiling your dog, focus on the kind of life you want to create for them. Share the bed if you want to, buy the fun toys, celebrate their birthday—those things don’t cause behavioral problems.
The real secret is: structure and love go hand in hand. When you pair boundaries with kindness, your dog learns confidence, respect, and trust. That’s not spoiling—it’s raising a happy, well-adjusted companion.
💡 Final Thought: Go ahead and “spoil” your dog with love, enrichment, and quality time. Just remember, the most loving gift you can give is guidance and structure.
If you need help with providing your dog with guidance and structure reach out to me by call/text: 250-688-5392 or email: celestegoodhope@live.ca.
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