There's A Treat For That

Ever seen those commercials selling apps?  That's what comes to my mind whenever Alfie does something really good.  He just looks at me with this proud, expectant expression:  "Hey -- there's a treat for that!" 

He doesn't get a treat every time.  He'll almost jump over the moon just for "Good dog!" in that happy "high voice."  But every so often, and when he's done something especially good, I'll give him a dog treat.  We had a couple of those moments today.  One's pictured below...Charissa spotted the animal crackers on the store floor so we set him up to practice "leave it."  I gave him the command pre-emptively and he did great.

I'm leaving it...leaving it...leaving it...

Yay!  There was a treat for that.

I guess I lowered my guard after that, because at the end of the aisle we unexpectedly met up with more animal crackers...he scarfed one...aaack!  DEFINITELY no treat.  Bad dog!  Bad raiser for not noticing it before he did!  So it was go back and rework so he'd get it right.  Sigh.

A few minutes later he was standing at my side, I was distracted doing some price shopping, and he got "surprise-attacked" from behind by a little 2nd or 3rd-grade kid.  Alfie flicked his ear to acknowledge the hit-and-run petting on his rump...all the time keeping his position, eyes locked on me as if to make sure I noticed his self-control.  Wow, it actually surprised me that he didn't try to lick the boy's face!  You're right, Alfie, there's a treat for that!