Is it possible for a dog to be TOO affectionate?

[NightTrain]

With my roommate Patrick away for the weekend, the only human contact his dog Mystique has had for the past two days is me. I usually enjoy it when Mystique shows me affection, but this is getting to be too much!

It doesn't help that I caught a headcold and have spent much of the weekend lying in bed, trying to take it easy. I say "trying" because no sooner do I get into bed then Mystique jumps up, straddles my chest, and licks every inch of my face four or five times. She also has these long, sharp toenails that dig into my tender flesh whenever Mystique uses me as her jungle gym, which has happened more times this weekend than I can readily recall.

Perhaps Mystique senses that I'm not feeling well and is trying to give me some TLC. Unfortunately, she doesn't quite grasp the concept! :eyes:

Here's the pooch in question:

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Mystique is lonely for Patrick

Better keep the dog out of the room -- it's possible (but not inevitable) that the dog could catch what you have.

--p!

[bobbobbins]

2. until it starts humping you every possibly moment, i wouldn't complain

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. What a sweet little face! She probably thinks she's making

you feel better. I know how you feel. Jessie still thinks she needs to be right in my lap, atop my incision, for me to truly get the benefit of her aid. :hi:

[smirkymonkey]

4. Awwww....Poor Mystique! She's just lonely and lookin' for

some lovin.

As long as she doesn't start in with the dry humping, I would try to return her affection at least a little.

[Kire]

5. According to the dog whisperer:

Exercise, Discipline, and Affection ... in That Order!

These are the three ingredients needed to make a happy, balanced dog. Most dog owners either only give affection, or don't provide these three necessities in the correct order.

· Exercise means walking a dog a minimum of once a day and in the correct way.
· Discipline means giving the dog rules, boundaries, and limitations in a non-abusive manner.
· Affection means a reward given to our dogs, but only after they've achieved calm submission in our "pack."

More: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/glossary.html

[Lady Effingbroke]

6. Very much so!

When I was a kid, my friend's cocker spaniel (Mr. Hershey) had a thing for my leg. He was pretty much glued to it from the second I walked into her house - which is why I quit going over to her house!

Dogs are great - just not the leg-humpers or crotch-sniffers!

[wellstone dem]

7. When my daughter had knee surgery

a therapy dog visted her. I told his owner that I was concerned about our hyperactive dog hurting her when we got home. He told us to tell the Dog that her leg hurt and to tell the dog to be gentle. He told us we'd have to do it several times, and to try to do it when she was calm. It took three times. Then the dog would jump on the bottom of the bed, below her leg and would not come closer unless invited. When she'd come to be she'd barrel at me full speed and leap into my lap. There was clearly a difference. So try explaining to the dog that you are sick and she needs to stay at the bottom of the bed. (Heck, it's worth a try.)