It really is OK to spoil your dog unless it causes problems for you or your dog. Problems can range from danger to annoyance. If a behavior could hurt the dog or a human, then avoid it.

I’ve had calls from owners who have always allowed their dogs to jump on them at will and jump on furniture the same way, but they’ve gotten older or have had surgery and the dogs’ behavior has become dangerous. Some have had babies and are afraid to leave the baby on the bed or sofa for fear the dog will jump on top of it. Occasionally it’s the dog that has had surgery, and if that dog isn’t calm and well behaved, it’s very difficult to keep it quiet so it won’t injure itself.

Some people start off teaching the cute new puppy to eat only when the owner hand feeds it or sits and watches until it’s finished. At some point, this procedure is really inconvenient and the owner is too busy to keep doing it. The dog will usually refuse to eat. If a dog with this problem is boarded, it could have real trouble if it won’t eat in the owner’s absence. Always train your dog to eat its meals no matter what.

So spoil your dog on command. If you don’t give the command, the dog can’t do the behavior.

If the dog gets onto furniture, it should only be when you say it’s OK, and the dog must wait until you do so. I used to say, "Give me a hug," when I wanted my dog to jump on me. He knew that was the only time he could jump on me.

Based on my commands, my dog knew when he could play "Catch me if you can" and when he had to come to me immediately.