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!
