Mothering and Dog Training

Living with a soon to be 14 year old son
who is a growing "heat engine" has
its challenges.  Upon arriving home
from school, Alec immediately
kicks off his shoes and removes
his socks, dropping both shoes and
socks wherever he happens to be.
As his mother, and the only other person
sharing this abode, I have a couple of choices;
constantly nag him to pick up his socks
or train Piper, our dog.

"Laundry!" is the command.  

Piper races for a sock.  "No, not me Piper, the basket!"

  Oh, but it tastes so good Jude!

"Laundry, Piper!" I repeat.
 Okay, okay, how about this?
Is this close enough?

Oh, inside the basket, I get it.


And now for my reward???

"good laundry, Piper!  Here's
a treat."

What, another sock?  They come in pairs?!

Mothering and dog training are quite
similar;  you need to keep them guessing,
both kids and dogs, alert to what it
 is you want.   Call them treats, call them bribes,
whatever word you choose, the results
are the same---- a job well done.

Kinder chocolates are Alec's passion here in
France.  Now when Alec voluntarily closes
a door or picks up his dropped clothes or
brings his dishes across the hall and into our wee
kitchen, he may be met with a surprise kinder.

"Good, Alec!"  Who knows, maybe he and Piper
will be competing to put away his socks;  one can
always hope.