The first rule of training a puppy is to make the training fun and positive. We never say “Bad Dog,” but we can say “You’re a naughty puppy”. We are supposed to keep everything positive with good vibes and treat reinforcement. We can admonish, but always in a soft voice, which is way more effective than a good smack. That’s the modern way to raise children too, probably not what a lot of us heard as a parental mantra when we were young, but times change.
If it is good enough for dog training, surely it’s good enough for any kind of training. Who doesn’t like getting a treat when they’ve been extra good? At one time, I couldn’t resist Skor chocolate bars. I had convinced myself they were my treat for grocery shopping, finishing a pile of sewing, doing the dishes, cleaning the fridge, any menial task. However, when I found myself buying two and eating one in the car before I got out of the parking lot, I decided I was indulging myself far too often. I figured I should give up on my personal pat on the head for doing stuff I knew I was going to do anyway.
Toys can be treats too. Perhaps that would be a better way to go. I could buy myself a new paint supply when I’d been particularly noble. The bookstore is always tempting too. I can justify a new book — or three — simply for getting up in the morning! However, it became obvious that I had to find a new reward when I counted all the paintbrushes and got out the summer T-shirts I thought I deserved.
What a coup it was when I discovered Gourmet Jelly Bellies — decadent little jellybeans in pretty colours!! Not only are these little charmers affordable, but they can also be squirrelled away out of plain sight so I’m not tempted to grab a handful as I’m passing the bowl. They are to be savoured, and only eaten on special occasions — like after scrubbing the pot that I burned, or not losing my temper over something trivial. Further, they can only be enjoyed one or two at a time. That’s the rule. The bag has to last.
I’m making up personal rules for when I can indulge. I can’t make up an excuse and eat one any old time. I must convince myself that I’ve earned it. I have to be consistent — Rule Two in dog training. So if I allow myself one for an hour’s weeding, then every time I weed I can have one… or maybe two.
An hour on the lawn mower could get me a couple for sure, and an extra one if I had to stop and pick up the dog toys from the yard. I made us a decent lunch; that’s good for a couple. I washed the dog art off the windows — two, no, four for that!
I sort them by flavour and colour too. A mediocre task will profit me an orange, a good performance merits two reds, and something absolutely stellar will get me a pink and a green. I never eat them together or chew them quickly. They must be enjoyed one at a time.
You might think that I’d have outgrown this nonsense years ago, but no, it’s always been there. I suspect we all allow ourselves some personal indulgence when we sense we’re achieving well. And why not, I say. The only caveat is that the rewards shouldn’t cause you more angst by being something that’s too expensive, something you need to store, or something you’ll never wear. A tasty little treat like the occasional jellybean can’t be all bad, and if it soothes your soul then it’s all good.
I can attest to the good behaviour of my darling dogs when they know a treat is coming their way. The mere phrase “something good” will get their attention faster than any threat I could holler. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all react like that? We’d be rid of road rage, snarky social media, bad manners, honking horns, and schoolhouse bullying if all we had to say was “Be good and you’ll get a treat”. It might sound a little Pavlovian, but it’s working for me. I can talk myself into a lot of things if I know those delicious little Jelly Bellies are coming. Do yourself a flavour favour — pop into Baker Bob’s and scoop up a little bag of those gems. But remember, they’re only for very good actions, none of this sampling them in the car!