harsh training; tormenting (ironic)
Used ironically, especially in sports contexts, to describe tough training or hazing disguised as 'affection.' The irony comes from the contrast with the literal meaning of doting.
See also: 可愛がる
I doted on my cat too much and ended up making it fat.
The 'affectionate treatment' of new club members went too far and became a problem.
Thanks to my senior's 'doting,' I was made to run ten laps around the field every day.
Noun form of the verb 可愛がる (kawaigaru), which is derived from 可愛い (kawaii, 'cute, lovable') with the suffix がる (garu, 'to show signs of, to behave as if'). The ironic sense developed from the idea of 'tough love' in hierarchical groups like sports teams.