Cross Breeds

Why do most women treat small dogs like children?

I have seen this mainly with the friends I have. Mostly all of my female friends will buy a small dog and treat it like a child. They will put clothes on it and even more. And I have a few gay male friends who do this also. Why do some people do that to small dogs?

Public Comments

1. i am a man and i treat my large dog like an adult (its the opposite)
2. my step-dad does that with our dog.
3. Because they see them as a child substitute. Personally, I think it is sick! Dogs are animals, and they shouldn't be humiliated by being made to wear clothes and accessories etc.
4. Because they don't have children to treat like children. And they are too old for dolls. The maternal instinct needs some outlet.
5. My Chihuahua is an attention whore. She likes the whole "bling" thing. She actually brings me, what she wants to wear for the day. And I do have children too.
6. Basically, it's because she acts like a small child. I never realized that I was "guilty" of that, until I went to visit a friend of mine's baby girl. My dog got so JEALOUS and I think it's because I talked to my dog, the way I was speaking to the baby... I swear she understands everything I say [my dog, that is].
7. They're child substitutes. The women are doing it for themselves, not the dogs. I'm sure if anyone could ask the dogs, they would say they don't like being stuffed into handbags or dressed in silly outfits.
8. Well they say dogs have the mentality of 2 years olds. Personally I find it sickening.
9. I wouldn't say most women do that. My husband I treat our dog more like an old man. He gets tired before us, grumbles if you move him while he's sleeping, and snores. We really only dress him up on Halloween. He sometimes gets a coat for the winter because he is a wimp when it comes to the rain or cold.
10. I agree that its soo stupid to do that.
11. Yep. I'm starting to realize it. They treat their dogs like children. And they treat their children like dogs.