does anyone ever watch the "Dog Whisperer"? this guy has a firm grip on the reality of a pet/master relationshp.
I think back to a great uncle and aunt I had. they loved chihuhuas, and they named every one they had "Tiny". I say everyone, because they all died from coranaries. Tiny...always ate what they ate..never walked anywhere..was always held...in fact..I remember the first time I saw my uncle take one of his "tiny's" out to potty. he set him down on the ground...Tiny did his business...then my uncle wiped hs bottom with a tissue...then praised him for being such a "good dog"...and carried him back inside.
my point being...people can sometimes do more harm by overlooking the fact that thier pet is indeed an animal, and not human.