Pets Turned into Furkids
Where pets being turned into furkids can be problematic most for the animals, is when they receive things they shouldn’t have or are so indulged they become behavioral problems. Television programs devoted to retraining dogs frequently feature this issue. People who view animals as kids may want to be loved by those animals, and don’t want to be considered harsh or mean. Unfortunately animal behavior is different than human behavior, and constantly caving to a cute puppy’s demands may convince the puppy that it is in charge of the house. This can be of detriment when the puppy grows up and still wants to rule the household and its owner.
Others err by indulging their pets too much, as in the matter of giving treats. Overweight animals tend to live shorter lives and have greater medical problems as they age. Attending to the dog’s true needs, such as adequate food and exercise may create a happier and healthier dog than one that always gets a treat when it begs.