ON BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION

An engaged couple I know recently got a dog. She is a toy pug, a tiny little thing. I went to their place last night to say hello and play with the dog, of course. Apparently, the dog doesn't do any tricks when people are around (a "Mystery Men" reference would fit well here), but for some reason, she decided to sit, lay down (front paws splayed out), and then roll over on command (pretty much). For all of this, she got a treat.

The male half of this couple is also trying to train the dog to "play basketball." He attached a suction-cup mini basketball hoop low to the ground. He then says "slam dunk," at which point the dog is supposed to pick up a tennis ball in her mouth (which looks adorable!), then go over to the hoop, stand on her hind legs, then drop the ball through the hoop. She would then get a treat. Although the trick isn't perfect yet, it's really one of the best dog tricks I've ever heard of.

Other friends have done a great job training their dogs. Rewards after going out and "doing their business," sure, but other stuff as well. I'm a sucker for a dog that knows how to "shake," which is apparently surprisingly easy to teach.

With all this thought on Pavlovian responses on my mind this morning, I went to do my laundry. I was six minutes late getting my clothes out of the dryer, which is pretty unusual for me, as I am normally a "right on time" guy. I went down to the laundry room...to find the custodian folding my laundry. I NEVER fold my own laundry! I learned that I should just leave my clothes in the dryer and they will be folded for me. My negative behavior (leaving my clothes in too long) was rewarded with a positive result (folding!). You know, the opposite of how you would train a dog. Woo!