It's really hard not to spoil a pet, actually. The reason is because they look so cute... so fluffy and round and they learn how to do tricks with their faces to make themselves look even more adorable. Before long, (like about five minutes) you find yourself waiting on said pet hand and foot, giving him treats and carrying him around so his cute little feet never touch the ground. Animals learn all of your weaknesses very quickly and are smart enough to play on them with gusto. My cat used to try to drink right out of my glass of water all the time, and usually when my back was turned, she'd manage to up-end the glass and there'd be water everywhere. I finally gave in and held the glass for her because she was going to do it anyway, and that way I could at least save myself from having to clean up the mess. Well, it took a while, but I finally broke her of the habit of trying to drink my water. For one thing, I switched to a bottle, which had a cap on it and was impossible for her to get her tongue into. For another thing, I finally started scolding her for drinking my water. She always has fresh water of her own so there's really no reason for drinking mom's, but it was so much fun that she wanted that game to continue. Now she drinks her own water exclusively but still eyeballs my water glass from time to time. I just give her a firm, 'NO', and she walks off to find other mischief to get into.
