How do you keep your ocs as ocs?

How do you keep your ocs as well, ocs, without them gaining sentience? Everytime I make an oc to play with, if I love them enough they'll eventually kinda cut their own strings and just be there. Sometimes changing their names or choosing their own voice, background, etc. Not that I mind them but sometimes I do just want a little character to play with and not an internal friend. I want to interact with this community more but they're kinda offended that I'm classifying them as ocs. Rip.