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Just Rewards

One dog’s pleasure is another dog’s pain; rewards are an individual thing.

The trim, middle-aged lady strode briskly down the rubber mat in the training center, her black Labrador Retriever bouncing happily at her side. She came to a smooth halt, and Skip sat promptly next to her, in perfect heel position. “Yes!” I thought to myself, and then winced as Carla reached down and enthusiastically patted Skip on the head. Skip jumped up and backed away from his human.

“Carla,” I said softly. “You just punished him for sitting straight.”

Hearing a phrase that gives this water-loving
ûGolden Retriever permission to jump into the
ûlake is both a cue ("Go get it!") and a high-
ûvalue reward.

Carla’s face fell. “Darn it!” she exclaimed. “Why can’t I remember that!” Wait a minute . . . since when is patting a dog considered punishment? Ever since Skip let us know by…


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