Good Dog Parenting vs. Helicopter Dog Parenting
A Response to the New York Times
Sunday morning, my phone blew up with messages about the New York Times article, “Help, I’ve Become a Helicopter Dog Parent.”
Clearly, it struck a nerve. But here’s the good news: you can exhale. The headline may be dramatic — but it misses what helicopter parenting really is.
Helicopter parenting is trying to mute natural dog behavior — stopping play, interrupting sniffing, shushing growly play noises, redirecting every humpy moment — all in an effort to keep your dog looking perfect for the humans around them.
Good dog parenting? That’s the opposite.
It’s giving dogs what they need to thrive: good nutrition, space to run, mental stimulation, training when it’s truly needed — and the freedom to be, well… dogs. And yes, to laugh along the way (even about the humping).
And let’s not confuse this with humanization — blueberry facials, chandelier-lit “doggie resorts,” or neon-dyed tails. Those things are for us, not for them. If dogs had a say, they’d probably trade the spa day for a good roll in deer poop.
Where We Fit In
At Far Fetched Acres, we live in that sweet spot:
Freedom to run, sniff, chase, and play
Friends through carefully matched social groups
Expert care from a team educated in animal behavior
Structure with training and enrichment to keep minds sharp
Rest in safe, cozy camp-style boarding
We don’t helicopter. We don’t humanize. We simply give dogs what they need to feel safe, happy, and whole.
Bottom Line
Meeting your dog’s needs isn’t over-parenting.
It’s fair. It’s responsible. And it makes everyone — dog and human — happier.