Luci's got it right.
In most canine-human relationships, treats and slices of turkey are rewards for good behavior, following directions, and whatnot.
Luci and I never started that silliness.
Instead, she has taught me this: Get rewarded for what's fun, what's joyful, what makes your day.
For example, her favorite thing in the middle of the night is "You wanna go outside?" And when she does, she's a wild girl, fearless, running with all the speed of her puppy years. She's out to capture a fox or a raccoon or whatever, but she never does. Then she does whatever she does outside my view for a few minutes and comes back, beaming.
She goes to the treat drawer and looks at me hopefully--and is never disappointed. Then she goes to the refrigerator door--this was a night (as every night of running is) deserving of two treats.
I learn so much from this love bug of a dog: When something is really really good, cap it off with something worthy of joy.
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