Pampered to no end, how can you stop it?

[ZackE]

I live in a house with 7 individuals. 2 of which are my grandparents.
My grandparents have 2 miniature poodles (Yappy Dogs) that are spoiled to no end.

Let me explain:
My grandmother is obese and has major problems with her legs swelling. She NEEDS to move around on HER OWN but refuses to do so. Her dogs are no different.
Knowing this, you can understand that when I say I haven't sat on our couch for the last 6 months, I'm not exaggerating. Not only does she have it covered in blankets, her DOGS take up what room she doesn't and she does nothing to fix it. I personally hold the belief that dogs can be on furniture, but should not LIVE ON THE FAMILY COUCH.

Next is her absolute obsession with feeding them treats. I call it an obsession because, Lord forbid the two spoiled ******* (They are female dogs) take 6 steps she's showering them with treats!
I swear, "Doggy Biscuits" Take up 90% of their diet and it sickens me to watch her basically poison her dogs.
I can tell its destroying them because I'm the one who has to pick up their feces and all their fecal matter feels like RUBBER!
My grandmother has no concept of the reward/punishment ratio.

Speaking of punishment, her dogs have NEVER. In the last 7 YEARS. Been disciplined to any extent other than a firm waggle of the finger.

Her dogs bark at EVERYONE who comes in through the living room (where they seem to have claimed as their "home"). I know it's not uncommon for dogs to bark at people who come in through the door, but when you've lived with them for a while, they're supposed to eventually stop, right? WRONG. I could walk out the door, stay outside for 5 minutes and then come back in and get barked at for a whole 3 MINUTES before they eventually stop. AND I'VE LIVED WITH THEM SINCE I WAS 12!!!
Not even mentioning her excuses.
"Oh, it's the nature of the beast."
"They are just saying 'Hello'."
"Oh, they were 'good girls' and went outside; THEY DESERVE A TREAT!"

Not to mention WE (Me, and everyone else in our family) are not allowed to do any of the following to her "precious" dogs:
Yell at them;
Tap them on the nose;
Make ANY kind of loud noise directed at them;
And look at them (or her) with a dirty/disapproving glare.

Basically, we have to worship these spoiled dogs and let them chase our cats, bark at our guests, bark at US, and do absolutely nothing in retaliation.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. But I need to know now before I make some Korean Food out of these two Mini Poodles: Is it possible to convince my grandmother to start caring about her dogs? Is it too late for all of them? What. Can. I. Do???

[ladybugs4me]

Zack, I really feel the level of your pain and frustration in your post. Honestly, aside from EDUCATING your grandmother, perhaps find articles on the Internet or books from the library to shine the light on how dogs DESIRE discipline and respect those who discipline them, I fear there will be no change. Perhaps you could take on the task of training one of them to show her it can benefit everyone, human and animal alike. The best of luck, Sweetie.

[Margot49]

You have a dilemma on your hands, for sure!  Maybe you can convince Gma to at least feed the dogs cut up veggies for treats.  Other then that, it does not seem Gma is going to change her ways.  You might try a "family" meeting to see if things can be resolved.  Maybe start by keeping the dogs off the couch.  Little dogs can be tappers.  I have one here like that but I distract him when he does that.  Good luck'