December 6, 2018

White Dog shook her head, "Looks like you created a treat monster, dad," she said.

Tizenegy is our OCD boy who requires a strict routine and LOTS of positive reinforcement. He was an outdoor dog and has been slow learn control in marking. He can be convinced to dash through the dog door if we cheerlead him on his trot down the hall and through the door but if the rhythm is broken at all he must return to his bed and start the run again. 

In effort to get past some of the intricacies, Steve has been working with a clicker and treats. Steve verbally leads him up to the dog door and sends Tiz out. Tizenegy presumably does his business and comes back inside. Steve clicks the device and gives our boy a training treat.

It did not take Tiz long to figure out if he rushed out and turned around coming right back in that he cold turn a reward click into a harvest of treats. "Look, dad, I went outside!" now comes with an expectation of something yummy. Then he turns around and goes back out...to return with the expectation of ANOTHER. 

"How do I make him understand that this is about pottying outside," Steve asked White Dog. "He thinks this is a new game of in-and-out."

"You could watch out of the door to see if he goes," WD suggested. "If he is just playing, no treat. Or maybe teach him he must stay out until you count to fifty. You know whatever plan you come up with Tizenegy will try to find a shortcut to the treat...he IS an Eskie after all."