I have four dogs, the 2 older ones usually do their own thing, but the 2 younger ones, both cocker spaniels, love to play together and always seem to want to play around my feet. The problem comes when they get too close and land on my foot pedal. I've gotten really quick at pulling the plug on the foot pedal to stop the run away sewing machine!! I definitely make sure it is off when I'm threading the needle, I have a horror of them landing on it and sewing my finger! When it gets too bad, I kick them outside, but what can I say...I love my dogs!! And yes, they are extremely spoiled!!