Originally Posted by Nancy1999

You say:

This is his way of bonding with the animals; giving them food. You should be happy he loves your pet. Don't raise your pets so that your friends will think they are the best pets ever.

Originally Posted by I Love Bailey

I read over posts and don't feel anybody was putting you down or analyzing your marriage. Most just said they didn't see anything wrong with giving the occasional treat or everyday treats. You did ask for opinions...
Have you thought about some dog training classes where you all go as a family? Your husband may get a different opinion of rewarding behaviors and find a more positive reinforcement for behaviors?

Good Luck..

Originally Posted by chachi

I dont think there is anything wrong with your not wanting your Husband to give your dogs treats when they go outside. We havent done that since we were potty training our dogs. Men just seem to have an obsession with giving dogs food though. My Husband is constantly slipping Our dogs table food

Originally Posted by Angela

* LoL looks like Jim had a lot of people come to his " rescue" If you ever do get on his case he can always come here....lolol

Angie

Originally Posted by pepe mint

Ok, I have never been one to give doggie treats. My cocker, who is 6 years old, never got rewarded with treats. mostly because I could not afford to buy a lot of extra stuff like that when I got her. But it was also because I was told about not having her depend on getting treats every time she went potty or did something I asked her to do, but simply doing it to please me...her master. well. my husband has always been just the opposite. his 10 year old min pin still gets a treat EVERY time he goes outside to use the bathroom. It drives me NUTS because if he goes out and comes back in...and he doesn't get a treat...he whines and barks and goes nuts until he gets one. my hubby ALWAYS gives him one. I don't. EVER. I never ever give him one. I refuse!! at 10 years old, especially, he should not be rewarded for using the bathroom outside...not with treats anyway. a simple praise should suffice for him. he should be doing it because it is the right thing to do...NOT because he wants a treat. I know you guys agree because I have heard it said many times here...and in other chat groups.

anyway..here is my problem. I have asked him not to give Daisy treats. but he still does. I do not want him giving maggie treats when she goes out. the praise is enough. I don't want MY dogs acting the way HIS does. period. but he refuses to change his ways. I would love it if he would just stop with the treats all together but he won't. I just don't know how to talk to him about it. He gets very defensive when I try to tell him what is wrong with his dog. His dog has had issues with being stubborn and bossy since the day I met him. He has always made the rules for Jim, not the other way around. it is just horrible. but when I try to tell Jim that it is because of the way he treats him and has raised him, he gets extremely defensive and then proceeds to tell me the things I do wrong with my daughter. I just feel like it is a losing battle but with having maggie in the house now, I don't want her to end up like Rex. I just don't.

any suggestions as to how I can talk to him about this and actually be effective? I mean, I have mentioned it before but he just doesn't seem to agree. actually, he says he agrees with me, but then as soon as rgex oes outside, he give him a treat when he gets back in. It's like we never had the conversation. I think he just feels it is easier to give him a treat to shut him up than to deal with it the right way.

I'm just tired of it. and want to change it. I have trained Rex so good since we moved in together...the dog was 8 years old and still using the bathroom in the house when left alone...until I came along. now...we haven't had an accident in the house in over a year. he also does not bark at ME anymore. still barks at Jim because Jim gives into him but he knows better than to bark at me.

anyway...what should I do?

Originally Posted by pepe mint

and...this is not his way of bonding. trust me. you dont know him, I do. this is just his way of getting rex to stop barking. period. he has told me that numerous times!!!

and what is wrong with raising your pets to be social, well behaved animals that are loved by all??? I just dont get what you are trying to say here.

Originally Posted by JeanieK

You didn't explain the overweight issue and the constant demanding in your first post.

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

This is what made me think you want to change the way Jim treats Rex. Maybe if you let up a little on this, he will not give your dogs treats.

Originally Posted by pepe mint

Yes, I do tell him what I think is wrong. when Rex is acting out, I do tell him "I really think we need to do something about this." and there have been times that I have said "the only reason he barks at you for 5 minutes straight when you get home is because you go straight to the treat jar and give him a treat". Jim has agreed with me on this. so yes, I have pointed out things that could be done differently with his dog. just as I would if it involved our child and there was something I think could be done differently. I am a human being and there is nothing wrong with me wanting to change things so that we are not rewarding or encouraging bad behavior. so when I say "I want it to change"...yes...why wouldn't I?? of course I would love change. In a perfect world, I wouldn't have to wish for that.

I am aware that it will probably never change. but a girl can dream. and as for the other 2 dogs? I see no reason why we have to look back 10 years from now and wish we had done something different when we have the same problems we are wanting to correct. with them, we will do it differently. he can continue to do what he wants with rex. I just want it different for these 2.