Is It Wrong...
- Thread starter CharlieDog
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No favorites here...
The differences that happen are based on their individual personalities, behavior, and preferences.
I love them both more than I can say. There are different things about each of them that makes me adore them...but I can not say that Menchi means more to me than Watson or that I enjoy Watson more than Menchi.
They also both have habits that annoy me...
Everyone has the same rights and priviledges
The differences that happen are based on their individual personalities, behavior, and preferences.
I love them both more than I can say. There are different things about each of them that makes me adore them...but I can not say that Menchi means more to me than Watson or that I enjoy Watson more than Menchi.
They also both have habits that annoy me...
Everyone has the same rights and priviledges
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Gambit is my favorite. There I said it. He does get more attention, more training time, and more of me.
That said, he needs more. When I play sharkie with him, he gets excited and plays back. He needs the remedial socializing, the training, and the special love.
Argon doesn't need those things, nor do I really think he desires them. I love the Whippitus with all my heart, but he really would be better suited to a different home and a different owner. While Gambit needs me to do things with him every day, Argon is happiest to just chill 99 days out of 100. The sole exception is when we go downtown, something Gambit is just not capable of doing. Then it's Argon's time to shine (and try and kill pigeons).
That said, he needs more. When I play sharkie with him, he gets excited and plays back. He needs the remedial socializing, the training, and the special love.
Argon doesn't need those things, nor do I really think he desires them. I love the Whippitus with all my heart, but he really would be better suited to a different home and a different owner. While Gambit needs me to do things with him every day, Argon is happiest to just chill 99 days out of 100. The sole exception is when we go downtown, something Gambit is just not capable of doing. Then it's Argon's time to shine (and try and kill pigeons).
Well, I only have one, so obviously he's my favorite. But I honestly think he always will be, even when I add another dog. He's mah boy.<33 Like, I don't think I'd feel bad about leaving new puppy at home and taking Jackson, but I probably wouldn't often take new puppy and leave Jackson. Things of that nature.
In regards to being in the house, though, I don't think they'd be treated much differently. I plan on having my future second dog in my bed too (unless it was a larger hairier breed, I MAY make a consideration of not doing it). Both would be allowed on the furniture. Both would probably get to do the same amount of stuff in regards to training, walking, exercising, etc. Those type of things.
With new puppy, I'd also probably get them acquainted with things like doggy daycare, and leaving me more often, and things of the sort. With Jackson, I don't think I'd ever be able to leave him at a daycare or boarding place. He's just not that kind of dog. He's sooo attached to me and I love it but with a new dog, I don't think I'd have an issue bringing new pup to daycare if I go away, and having Jackson stay with my dad per usual. Stuff like that.
So I think Jackson, being the first and all, will always be #1 and hold a special place in my heart, but of course I'd love a second just as much but I think just in a different way.
In regards to being in the house, though, I don't think they'd be treated much differently. I plan on having my future second dog in my bed too (unless it was a larger hairier breed, I MAY make a consideration of not doing it). Both would be allowed on the furniture. Both would probably get to do the same amount of stuff in regards to training, walking, exercising, etc. Those type of things.
With new puppy, I'd also probably get them acquainted with things like doggy daycare, and leaving me more often, and things of the sort. With Jackson, I don't think I'd ever be able to leave him at a daycare or boarding place. He's just not that kind of dog. He's sooo attached to me and I love it but with a new dog, I don't think I'd have an issue bringing new pup to daycare if I go away, and having Jackson stay with my dad per usual. Stuff like that.
So I think Jackson, being the first and all, will always be #1 and hold a special place in my heart, but of course I'd love a second just as much but I think just in a different way.
^that. At home the rules are generally the same, but who gets to go out and about with me depends on the activity.
Z goes places I just need an easy dog because she's so good. Kes goes to places where I can focus a bit more on training but still need to be able to be distracted without my dog getting into trouble. Aeri is almost at Kes' level but I have to be a bit more thoughtful about how long we're out for because otherwise her brain fries and I have a overaroused malinois to deal with. Snipe can only go out for training "walks" because I have to focus on her 100% of the time or else she's into trouble *and* we're working on a car chasing issue currently so I have to be available to head that off.
At home, if all four are out they all have the same rules, but Snipe is out less because 1. omg her in heat = super messy and 2. she is still learning how to settle and in the meantime the constant busy-ness can drive me nuts.
Ziva is crated at night because she sometimes has accidents while deeply sleeping. Snipe is also crated, but in a different room because as a young dog she needed out sooner than the other dogs and being crated separately let DH do that while I was still in bed. We'll be moving her crate into our bedroom soon though.
Z goes places I just need an easy dog because she's so good. Kes goes to places where I can focus a bit more on training but still need to be able to be distracted without my dog getting into trouble. Aeri is almost at Kes' level but I have to be a bit more thoughtful about how long we're out for because otherwise her brain fries and I have a overaroused malinois to deal with. Snipe can only go out for training "walks" because I have to focus on her 100% of the time or else she's into trouble *and* we're working on a car chasing issue currently so I have to be available to head that off.
At home, if all four are out they all have the same rules, but Snipe is out less because 1. omg her in heat = super messy and 2. she is still learning how to settle and in the meantime the constant busy-ness can drive me nuts.
Ziva is crated at night because she sometimes has accidents while deeply sleeping. Snipe is also crated, but in a different room because as a young dog she needed out sooner than the other dogs and being crated separately let DH do that while I was still in bed. We'll be moving her crate into our bedroom soon though.
Um... I know I am guilty of playing favorites with the pets. For instance, Ticheli. As much as that cat p*sses me off, he really does have me wrapped around his little paw. I tend to do more with him than I do Whitacre. Nothing against Whitty, he's a perfectly good cat (most of the time). It's just that Ticheli engages me more.
That said, I do my best to spread it around. It's not like any other animals are neglected at all just because I tend to prefer the company of one of them slightly more.
So, to answer your question, I don't think favorites is necessarily wrong. Also, in your case, you clearly know the limitations and preferences of each of your dogs, and that definitely is a huge factor in what all you do with each of them. Personally, I think you are being perfectly fair in your assessment of what each one likes and can handle.
As for the question of whether the animals notice? Maybe. Do they care? I dunno.
That said, I do my best to spread it around. It's not like any other animals are neglected at all just because I tend to prefer the company of one of them slightly more.
So, to answer your question, I don't think favorites is necessarily wrong. Also, in your case, you clearly know the limitations and preferences of each of your dogs, and that definitely is a huge factor in what all you do with each of them. Personally, I think you are being perfectly fair in your assessment of what each one likes and can handle.
As for the question of whether the animals notice? Maybe. Do they care? I dunno.
M
For the most part, any extra privileges the dogs get are based on their personalities and behavior.
But I'll admit I let Boone get away with more than the girls. It's not that he's a favorite. If I really HAD to pick a favorite, I'd go with Tempie. She's my heart dog. But Boone's the baby. And the boy. So I've got a soft spot where he's concerned.
ETA: I don't think the girls notice that I let him get away with more. I DO know Boone notices when Tempie goes on a search with me, and he has to stay at home since he's not certified yet. So I try to take him to the store and whatnot with me to kind of even things out. Raja, on the other hand, couldn't care less. Sometimes she acts like she's happy to see me when I've been gone a while. Other times, I barely get a nod of acknowledgement in passing. lol So I think she either doesn't notice or just doesn't care.
But I'll admit I let Boone get away with more than the girls. It's not that he's a favorite. If I really HAD to pick a favorite, I'd go with Tempie. She's my heart dog. But Boone's the baby. And the boy. So I've got a soft spot where he's concerned.
ETA: I don't think the girls notice that I let him get away with more. I DO know Boone notices when Tempie goes on a search with me, and he has to stay at home since he's not certified yet. So I try to take him to the store and whatnot with me to kind of even things out. Raja, on the other hand, couldn't care less. Sometimes she acts like she's happy to see me when I've been gone a while. Other times, I barely get a nod of acknowledgement in passing. lol So I think she either doesn't notice or just doesn't care.
Currently I only have 1 dog so he's favorite by default LOL But he has always been favored more. I had 3 huskies, a GSD X, & a shepherd/husky mix. I loved all of them just the same, but Lugar has had the best personality by far. The 3 huskies were just interested in being out and running.... that's about all they cared for LOL Kelso, my GSD X was a very smart and well behaved dog but he was not as friendly and outgoing. He was leery/uninterested around people & was very dominant towards other dogs (strange dogs that is). Willah, my husky/GSD X was not a social dog. If she was at home, and knew who you were she was just a big jelly bean and would greet you with SOMETHING in her mouth, whether it was a toy or piece of paper. But being out, she was nervous & her reaction when people would come up to pet her was very touchy. She would rather not be touched. Weird thing was that she was socialized like crazy as a puppy, but preferred to be home and only with her people.
Lugar loves everyone and everything. He loves to play, he rides great in the car, he's a fun dog to train, he LOVES to be with me and the hubby. I love every single one of his qualities and being able to completely trust him.
Lugar loves everyone and everything. He loves to play, he rides great in the car, he's a fun dog to train, he LOVES to be with me and the hubby. I love every single one of his qualities and being able to completely trust him.
I give about the same amount of attention to both. If I train one, then I train the other as well. Or I train them together. I like my two a LOT as a pair. They work well together and balance each other out. They are so wonderful and easy. For most things it is the three of us. Rally classes, I take both. I'm very lucky in that I have two really great dogs who want to work with me and want to participate in everything. They're both amazing.
Agility is a Mia only thing because she's young and active and Summer's getting old and a little stiff. She still would love to go and I feel badly about it. So I give her lots of stuffed kong goodness and extra treats. Then I train her when I get home because I feel bad. Summer definitely gets upset when Mia gets to go and she doesn't.
Mia is my favorite though. I love Summer, she is so reliable. But Mia is just the dog that is my everything, I truly knew nothing about how awesome a dog/owner bond could be before her. THAT said, Summer is much much better than Mia and as such Mia also is less trustworthy so Summer does get her perks. I do not let Mia get away with more because she's the kind of dog you do have to stay on top of at all times.
Agility is a Mia only thing because she's young and active and Summer's getting old and a little stiff. She still would love to go and I feel badly about it. So I give her lots of stuffed kong goodness and extra treats. Then I train her when I get home because I feel bad.
Summer definitely gets upset when Mia gets to go and she doesn't. Mia is my favorite though. I love Summer, she is so reliable. But Mia is just the dog that is my everything, I truly knew nothing about how awesome a dog/owner bond could be before her. THAT said, Summer is much much better than Mia and as such Mia also is less trustworthy so Summer does get her perks. I do not let Mia get away with more because she's the kind of dog you do have to stay on top of at all times.
Yes, I do have favorites. LOL
Now that the ferrets are down to two, I don't really have a preference over one or the other. Dameon is my man and I have a much deeper bond with him than with Rinnie, but Rinnie's finally worming her way into my heart as well. With Ruben, even though I loved him, I never really had a bond with him like I do with Dameon and Rinnie. Casey was my bestest girl, though. <3 I miss her still.
Chloe is my only dog, but she's not the only dog I live with. Even with her issues, I'd take her over Rose any day. Sounds bad, but true. I really enjoy her when she's not being a bitch. lol But, if Future Puppy is what I want him to be...I can very easily see him becoming the "favorite".
Cynder is about on par with Chloe. They have drastically different personalities, and each one suits me in different ways. I spoil them both. Cynder does get different privileges, but the fact that she is half the size of Chloe and much more reliable/stable is the reason why. I also let Cynder get away with more, but I think that's because she can get away with something and not have a behavior issue because of it. I have to keep on top of Chloe.
And Apollo is my favorite kitty, for obvious reasons. <3 (He was a bottle baby I raised from two days old.) The other cats are a LOT better behaved and more even tempered, but he's the best in my book.
Now that the ferrets are down to two, I don't really have a preference over one or the other. Dameon is my man and I have a much deeper bond with him than with Rinnie, but Rinnie's finally worming her way into my heart as well. With Ruben, even though I loved him, I never really had a bond with him like I do with Dameon and Rinnie. Casey was my bestest girl, though. <3 I miss her still.
Chloe is my only dog, but she's not the only dog I live with. Even with her issues, I'd take her over Rose any day. Sounds bad, but true. I really enjoy her when she's not being a bitch. lol But, if Future Puppy is what I want him to be...I can very easily see him becoming the "favorite".
Cynder is about on par with Chloe. They have drastically different personalities, and each one suits me in different ways. I spoil them both. Cynder does get different privileges, but the fact that she is half the size of Chloe and much more reliable/stable is the reason why. I also let Cynder get away with more, but I think that's because she can get away with something and not have a behavior issue because of it. I have to keep on top of Chloe.
And Apollo is my favorite kitty, for obvious reasons. <3 (He was a bottle baby I raised from two days old.) The other cats are a LOT better behaved and more even tempered, but he's the best in my book.
Well since I only have Penny, is my favorite by default lol
And honestly, I probably will not get another dog until something happens to her really young or until she is older, like 6-8+ yrs.
I don't want to take away from her. That seems selfish but I can't help it.
In this house hold we have Penny, dad's Aussie Bear, and Grandma's Scottie Mickey.
I love Penny, she is my favorite. But Mickey, you honestly cannot love that dog enough LOL
And honestly, I probably will not get another dog until something happens to her really young or until she is older, like 6-8+ yrs.
I don't want to take away from her. That seems selfish but I can't help it.
In this house hold we have Penny, dad's Aussie Bear, and Grandma's Scottie Mickey.
I love Penny, she is my favorite. But Mickey, you honestly cannot love that dog enough LOL
Yep! That's kind of how it is here, too. Kimma is the only one I raised from a puppy, so that relationship is a bit different. I can trust her a bit more not to destroy things (she's never been huge in to destroying things that aren't hers to begin with, which is nice), and she just listens more since I've been able to train her a certain way from a young age. She's the Agility dog and the one I spend the most time training, but that's mostly just because she needs it - she has way more energy than the other two.
Pen is my cuddler, and if I'm feeling bad, he's my go-to. And he knows it LOL. He is also the only one of the three that could even potentially become a good Therapy Dog. The girls are a bit too crazy for that, and probably will always be.
And Bubbles is the only one actively showing, so she gets to go away with me more, which is fun since she's such a sweetheart.
But, if I had to pick, it would be no surprise to anyone that my fave is Kimma. She's just an interesting dog. Always makes me laugh, and is so darn smart. I love that she's a bit feisty and keeps me on my toes. She's also the only one that gets to sleep in the bed (mostly because the other two won't - Bubbles will usually end up on the floor, and Pen gets mad once I stop petting him and walks away and paces LOL).
Pen is my cuddler, and if I'm feeling bad, he's my go-to. And he knows it LOL. He is also the only one of the three that could even potentially become a good Therapy Dog. The girls are a bit too crazy for that, and probably will always be.
And Bubbles is the only one actively showing, so she gets to go away with me more, which is fun since she's such a sweetheart.
But, if I had to pick, it would be no surprise to anyone that my fave is Kimma. She's just an interesting dog. Always makes me laugh, and is so darn smart. I love that she's a bit feisty and keeps me on my toes. She's also the only one that gets to sleep in the bed (mostly because the other two won't - Bubbles will usually end up on the floor, and Pen gets mad once I stop petting him and walks away and paces LOL).
We all have favorites in our house, but the dogs all have the same rights and privileges.
Jack is my favorite, obviously. I love to train him, take him places, do agility, etc. He just loves to do things.
Micki is my favorite when I want to cuddle. He is the sweetest, cuddliest boy ever. Jack doesn't ever want to cuddle so I always choose Micki. That said, Micki is my brother's favorite and lets him sleep on his bed and takes him for car rides.
Mini is my dad's favorite. They hang out all day and he won't go to bed unless she goes with him.
Kyra is my mom's favorite.
ETA: I don't think that they care that we play favorites. We, as people, all constantly yell at each other for playing favorites such as feeding from the table - like dad will only feed mini, mom will only feed kyra, etc. I think it bothers the rest of us more than it does the dogs. I do feel bad when I take Jack for walks, so I try to even it out and take turns, or give them all some one on one time.
Jack is my favorite, obviously. I love to train him, take him places, do agility, etc. He just loves to do things.
Micki is my favorite when I want to cuddle. He is the sweetest, cuddliest boy ever. Jack doesn't ever want to cuddle so I always choose Micki. That said, Micki is my brother's favorite and lets him sleep on his bed and takes him for car rides.
Mini is my dad's favorite. They hang out all day and he won't go to bed unless she goes with him.
Kyra is my mom's favorite.
ETA: I don't think that they care that we play favorites. We, as people, all constantly yell at each other for playing favorites such as feeding from the table - like dad will only feed mini, mom will only feed kyra, etc. I think it bothers the rest of us more than it does the dogs. I do feel bad when I take Jack for walks, so I try to even it out and take turns, or give them all some one on one time.
I guess it's hard for me to answer since I only have one dog, but Eve is the favorite. Even when I had Wink, who I connected with on such a deep level, Eve still was more "privileged". As long as Eve is around, it's going to be hard for me to really split attention and privileges fairly, I think. lol
I don't think dogs understand the fairness behind one dog leaving the house with you, but maybe they do. Eve definitely mopes when she sees me take another dog out and leave her at home, and she mopes for a while after I return.
I don't think dogs understand the fairness behind one dog leaving the house with you, but maybe they do. Eve definitely mopes when she sees me take another dog out and leave her at home, and she mopes for a while after I return.
Both of my boys hate when I take one and leave them behind. If somebody is in the house when I leave with just one dog, I feel bad, because there is usually at least a 20 minute audible fit unless I have distracted the left behind dog with a Kong and sneaked out without them noticing.
They have gotten better about being in their crate while I work the other... but at the agility trial this weekend, Auggie threw a FIT when I had Payton out (friends were looking at him) and Auggie was crated. Screaming barking wailing throwing himself against the crate door. When I finally turned around and put Payton away I discovered Auggie had pulled what he could of the blanket I use to cover up his crate INTO his crate and ripped it to shreds. Temper tantrum much?
So apparently it's okay if I train Payton in the house when Auggie is crated but THIS IS NOT OKAY AT AN AGILITY TRIAL AGILITY IS MY THING NO NO NO NO NO SHARING.
yeah we're gonna work on that.
They have gotten better about being in their crate while I work the other... but at the agility trial this weekend, Auggie threw a FIT when I had Payton out (friends were looking at him) and Auggie was crated. Screaming barking wailing throwing himself against the crate door. When I finally turned around and put Payton away I discovered Auggie had pulled what he could of the blanket I use to cover up his crate INTO his crate and ripped it to shreds. Temper tantrum much?
So apparently it's okay if I train Payton in the house when Auggie is crated but THIS IS NOT OKAY AT AN AGILITY TRIAL AGILITY IS MY THING NO NO NO NO NO SHARING.
yeah we're gonna work on that.
Zander is my favorite, my heart dog. I jumped through so many hoops to get my mother to forfeit him to me. I cared about the other dogs. I raised them, trained them, knew all of them inside and out. And I do miss them. But Zander is my soul.
And, according to DH, I do spoil him quite a bit. But he's so GOOD I don't feel so bad about it. Except when he sits in the middle of the yard, staring at me when I'm telling him to get in the house. When he gets that wild hair up his butt, it definitely ticks me off. But it's more fear that he won't come when called than anything else.
And, according to DH, I do spoil him quite a bit. But he's so GOOD I don't feel so bad about it.
Except when he sits in the middle of the yard, staring at me when I'm telling him to get in the house. When he gets that wild hair up his butt, it definitely ticks me off. But it's more fear that he won't come when called than anything else.