Avoiding puppy coddling

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Archived Message

Avoiding puppy coddling
by Tracy B.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Avoiding puppy coddlingIn a recent post, Chrissy spoke of the frustrations she was having with her puppy. Linda P. mentioned that she had read some in some books about how coddling a dog can lead to lack of self confidence. I'd like to know more about this. How do you avoid coddling a puppy as cute as a Maltese so that you don't turn them into a monster? (I don't have children, BTW, so the answer may be more obvious to others than it is to me.) Linda, what books did you read this in? Sounds like they'd be good reference material. Anne, I'd especially like to know your advice. Thanks in advance!

DISCUSSION:

Tracy- The best way to not spoil or coddle too much is to get your Maltese used to all kinds of situations, noises, other people, and animals. Secondly, enroll your Maltese in obedience training. You can begin as young as 12 weeks. The sooner, the better! When I first brought Noah home, I took him to show and tell at my son's kindergarten class. He goes to soccer practice, he has been on many trips with us and he goes with me almost everywhere. I am so glad I have done this with Noah. It has made all the difference.
April B

Tracy, I have also heard that coddling makes them dependant on you...but, I coddle my Buster and he is a very independant little guy. My previous Malt was a spoiled rotten little guy also so I say....coddle and spoil them rotten.
Libby & Buster

How can you coddle or cuddle a puppy too much? Wether it is a mastiff or a Maltese you should coddle or cuddle a puppy- it socializes them and gives them confidence and self-esteem. You will end up with a neurotic dog if you don't cuddle it a lot. I have cuddled pups from siberian hiskies to maltese to lhasas and poodles and cockers. Cuddle cuddle cuddle!!! sallie and max and uki.
sallie

Tracy, I really didn't notice the titles of the two books I read that in but I will try to get to the bookstore this weekend and see if I can find the references again. I'm sorry I didn't pay more attention to the specific books, just happened to run across the writing about coddling too much. I too wonder how you can 'curb' coddling with these cute lil' babies.

By the way, I just received my sample issue of "The Whole Dog Journal", a monthy guide to natural dog care and training, and I am very impressed with the articles in it. As I was reading it, I kept thinking, "I wish I could tell all MO subscribers about this", but it would be impossible to do that. Their number for anyone interested is (800)829-9165. They will send an issue for you to look over before you commit to a subscription. I received another journal issue I wanted to try, but I didn't like it nearly as well as this one. This one addressed shampoo, natural flea control, herbs, buying the best biscuits and which ones to avoid (liver anything is bad), car safety, etc. It's like a doggie Consumers Report. FYI, they recommended Dr. Goodpet's Pure Shampoo (800)222-9932 OR human shampoo that you like is fine as long as it doesn't have the harmful ingredients they list in their article. How about that!!! Anyway, Tracy, I will try to get that info for you this weekend and let you know Tueday (won't beable to do so Monday).
Linda P.

I say to spoil, cuddle, coddle, baby, pamper, etc... My girls are so spoiled it isn't even funny. I hate to admit it--but they run the house. They are in charge and what they want they get. They would love us in obedience school! They really are well behaved girls and they do listen to us on the rare occasion we say no to them. Everyone will raise their baby differnt. What works for one may not work for the other. I think it's a personal choice. Take care!
Angel

I can't help but frequently pick up my Cubbie and dgtr's cat BJ and give them a big dose of love. Cubbie doesn't go to a lot of places with us because I have always been a little afraid of something happening to him. But lately, I have been taking him for more rides which he adores. He enjoys being picked up and carried around and I do that frequently. He loves being near people, but not in an annoying way. Cubbie is both independent and my shadow....he follows me when he thinks he might get something--like the big soft bed upstairs or something out of the fridge! I have sometimes likened Cubbie to a cat--maybe that because he has had to put up with two of 'em his whole life. They say imitation is a form of flattery, but I better never hear him "meow"!!!! I'd say that Cubbie is a well-rounded, delightful, little ball of fluff and what the heck, let's spoil them malts rotten!
Felicia & Cubbie

I can remember when my children were small and a fellow by the name of Dr. Benjamin Spock came along and was suppose to be the "authority" on raising children. In spite of this, I still raised my babies the way I wanted and they turned out wonderfully well. (Dr. Spock did not believe in picking the babies up all the time...I always did!!) Well, I do the same thing with my fur-babies. I coddle them to death every chance I can get. I figure it this way, I got them to enjoy and love, so why worry about what is "too much." All four are well behaved and independent. I personally see nothing wrong with doing all you can with these loveable creatures. So many are abused and unloved. They all give me much more than I could ever give them. There are never enough hours in the day to enjoy...life is too short to put limits on love.
Zee

Tracey, I'm sorry I didn't answer sooner....I've had company and just been tired!!!First of all....cuddle and coddle are Not the same. To cuddle is to hug or snuggle which is highly recommended! To coddle is to indulge or to baby. All I've said in the past is not to coddle ..too much! You've seen the little toy dogs that are afraid of their own shadows?? Afraid of other dogs...even ones their own size? Or heard owners say, " My Pookie won't let me walk him on a leash" or "Oh, he growls at me when I try to take a bone away from him or put my fingers in his mouth."....."He won't let me...(you fill in the blanks)...." If you took this attitude with your child, what kind of parent would you be? What kind of child would you have? So, the best way to prevent this behavior is to never let it happen to begin with. But how do we do that? Socialization when a young pup with other puppies, dogs, people and on an ongoing basis is a very big part of it. The other part is not to let the puppy have the upper hand and do only what he wants to do. We need to be responsible pet owners and teach our dogs how to get along in the world, to be somewhat independent, to get along with other people, animals, to exercise some self control when necessary, and how to behave in general. They need to learn how to sit on the examination table for the vet, how to remain calm when being groomed, not to be afraid of thunderstorms, not to bark excessively, and to remain calm when we're not around. The best way is thru consistent exposure to these things and thru our conditioning them so they have a learned APPROPRIATE response to us and the world they have to live in. If we don't do these things for our pets, we set them up for failure and needless anxiety. SOooo...whatever you think your dog will encounter in his lifetime....prepare him now. zgive him the confidence he deserves! And CUddle him!!
anne

Thanks Everybody! I definitely intend to cUddle my fur baby, I just don't want to cOddle her.
Tracy B.

Anne- You are absolutely right- cuddle and coddle are too different things! Socialization and basic obedience make all the difference as I stated above.
April B

Tracy...just wanted to let you know that I failed to get by the bookstore this past weekend. I had family from out of state and my young granddaughter leaving for a trip to Europe, so we were very busy and time was hectic. I apologize and will try my best to get by there this coming weekend. So sorry to keep you waiting. Just keep CUDDLING that baby....
Linda P