I really wish we had a name for you and your boyfriend ... I don't believe that any of us would consider you a dork.  Anyone who cares about their dogs is not a dork!  (( Nuts maybe, but I know I can claim that title! ))

You didn't come off as snobbish and if it was my reply that prompted that, I'm honestly sorry.  Sometimes << ????? >> I get rather long winded with my responses ... if I'm to blame, please, excuse me.

BTW, I call all the dogs we have pups (even if they're 13 years old), mutts (even if they have impeccable AKC papers), hounds (even if Husky's aren't hounds) and other affectionate names - someone got a giggle when I referred to one of our staffs newborn human child as a 'puppy'.

Step number one: see the vet.  << check >>
You will let us know, eh??

Honestly it sounds like your mom loves your dog and wants to spoil him, which I think is a great thing. There is no such thing as a pecking order, the dominance theory has been debunked. Just because your mom lets him on HER couch, doesn't mean he will automatically assume he can be on your couch. Although my dogs are totally spoiled and allowed on the couch, bed, anywhere etc, you can still set boundaries for your home and your pup will know the difference. Nothing you've said sounds terrible IMO, sounds like you've got a great mom who loves you and your pup

Hey! You love your dog and want what is best for him. There isn't a person on this forum who isn't the same way about their dog. My wife thinks I am crazy, the way I fuss and fret over Zhukov and Colby. I only do it because they can't tell me what they want or need with words. The initial search for the "perfect" food for your dog, the best leash, the most effective collar or harness.... That is why we are all here on this forum. We all love our dogs here, and we want what is best for them.

That being said, never feel like you have to apologize here. We all have questions, and I think that this forum has a good bunch of people who have a great variety of knowledge, opinions, and experiences. I am not a big social media person, but I sure do love logging on here and reading about everyone's experiences, and have had a few unasked questions of my own answered.

Just wanted to say I got the PM loud and clear, I updated my profile.

Vet checked his jaw and teeth, found nothing out of the normal. She said he just likes junk, she recommended against a full wet food diet. Found a bran he enjoyed, Nutri systems or something.

I agree she loves him, I just want her to understand that he is a little dude right now but in 5 months or so he's going to be a LOT bigger. It will be hard for her to walk and play with him if he is unruly with her. I just want there to be a sense of order so she can continue to enjoy him.

I do love him, that is why I am spending so much time with him and teaching him habits that I feel fit OUR lifestyle. I do not want him to expect every time I make a plate of food that it's dinner time for him. I do not mind him being on the couch, I DO mind him jumping on the couch and all over us when we are eating. That was my issue, I love it when he sleeps next to me on the couch. I do not like the excitement to human food and the unruly behaviors that my mother finds cute now. It wont be cute when he's 45-50lbs :s.

While I respect the input everyone has put forth, and I really do respect all opinions, hints and tricks, I do not agree with just allowing my mother to do as she pleases. Yes she does a huge favor watching him while I work and my boyfriend studies but it does not entitle her to teach the dog to respond to her habits. Human food, not okay. Doggie treats once and a while, okay. Allowing him to sleep next to her on her couch, okay. Allowing him to climb, jump, claw and wiggle his way to her plate, not okay. Feeding him a diet I have kindly asked her not to while providing the food for her and myself to feed him, not okay. It's small things, yes, probably not a huge deal to most. I wouldn't say it's a huge deal for me. Just something I would prefer to be. It's easier to teach him young than to try to distill old habits and inject new ones.

I hope the vet gives him the all-clear and you can tough it out through this transition. I know your mom means well, but it is possible to literally love a dog to death. There's a reason parents don't let their kids engorge themselves on candy all day and let them get away with not eating dinner. This is the same situation.