Let me set the scene.
I had chopped up some zucchini from my garden-with-a-squash-problem and realized, though I do love me some beer battered fried zucchini, that 2 whole large zucchinis' worth was probably a bit too much for me and the Hubster.
So I chop 'em up further for an impromptu, let's practice 3-dogs-taking-turns-with-commands training session. I zucchini'd each of them for sitting in turn. Then I zucchini'd Sadie for a high five (Hurley & Maggie also offered one up). Then Hurley (got another high five offered from Sadie & Maggie - 3 dog training is going so well). By the time it was Maggie's turn, she was pretty excited and her high five knocked half of the zucchini from my hand.
Hurley & Maggie hoovered the floor. Sadie just maintained her sit & looked at me for permission (I had been telling the two who weren't supposed to be high five'ing to stay). That's my girl! So I slowly fed her every remaining zucchini in my hand as Hurley and Maggie watched. She got about twice as many the other two stole from the floor. I actually said to them "Look at Sadie getting all the rest of the treats because she's good." I did not add "neener, neener, neener" and for that I am proud.
Am I the only dog parent who does this? While it was powerful for Sadie as she was amply rewarded for her behavior, Maggie & Hurley were also rewarded by the food they scarfed up. Probably more rewarded than they felt punished by not getting the rest of the zucchini. I mean, it is only zucchini after all. I don't think Hurley even drooled over it.
Am I the only pet parent who does this? In the moment, my sole (and snarky) purpose to teach Maggie & Hurley a lesson but it was Sadie who got the most out of it (unintentionally).
I really hope they learned their lesson. Seriously.
And this girl?
She's Awesome!
Haha, I think your response is entirely natural! I'm having trouble getting past the fact that you can get your dogs to work for zucchini, though :)
ReplyDeleteSo long as it's food, they are all over it. There have been a few things I tried that they spit out - leafy vegetables are a no-no and Sadie's the only one who'll eat asparagus ends.
DeleteActually I find it hard to resist a good neener neener in these situations. For which I am not proud.
ReplyDeleteFull confession: I stick my tongue out at my dogs all the time.
DeleteSilas is smart, but not border-collie smart. It was a constant refrain between my husband and I as we tried to get through the puppy months: "He's a dog. He does not have a complex understanding of cause and effect." We just kept expecting him to understand one more behavior in a chain than he could.
ReplyDeleteI do it too, but sadly I don't think Delilah gets it. :-(
ReplyDeleteI have a Jack Russell and I'm sure she understands every thing I say to her. Whether she actually listens to me is another issue, but I know she understands me. ;)
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things about which I'm unwilling to form opinions: Does God exist? Are there such things as ghosts? Do the parents on Toddlers in Tiaras have souls?
ReplyDeleteAlthough everything I know about higher brain function tells me dogs can't understand everything I do, I've seen amazing results from just leveling with them. And even when they don't understand our language, they have an amazing understanding of body language and intent.
I bet your neener moment got through loud and clear. :)
Oh, and yay Sadie. And if you ever perfect that tandem training thing, let us know.
Ha! I am sure we do stuff like this though I'm not sure. The girls are notorious beggers and Hades tends to hang back so when I decide to dole out a scrap, like everyone's favorite, cheese, I always give Hades the biggest piece. As if anyone realizes that!
ReplyDelete