"Expectation management"
Don't you just hate that phrase?
I hear it from Gail a lot. Especially in relation to treats.
It's bad enough that she never ever gives me any tasty morsels when she herself is eating, whether at home, in a café or enjoying a picnic when out on a walk.
What's worse is that tells her friends to do the same, claiming that if I learn to expect something then I will "become a pest".
I know for a fact that her friend 'M', pictured above, always carries nice big treats in her pocket, and of course I expect to be given some.
The good news is, I just know that my expectations in this regard will be met at some stage in our regular walks.
I do like 'M'.
Is 'expectation management' a fancy phrase for 'no'? I have to say I never got sujected to that one, but then apart from roast chicken I don't regard human food as a tasty morsel. I suppose my expectation about wanting to sit on the table so I could see out the window got 'managed'. We had a long and fairly entrenched war over that one. All I learned was that 'no' applied only if someone saw me do it. paw smacks Mr T
ReplyDeleteThe trick dear Nobby is to sit quietly and nicely, look longingly into their human eyes (so they see your looking directly at them) and then without a single sound start to drool. Drool lots until the give in and feed you! It is a trick I learnt from my former Goldie friend, the late Riley dog, when I was a young pup. Its still cool to drool. Woofs, Enzo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this advice Enzo. However, the problem is that I do not know how to drool and it doesn't come in the fox terrier manual. Gail says terriers in general are not drooly dogs. But perhaps I could still learn...
DeleteToodle-oo! Nobby.
Hi Nobby. I'm Joey, an almost 16-year old foxie boychik. I am an odd fox terrier Mom tells me. Unlike my Barkalotboyz predecessors, Jake and Just Harry, I rarely bark, I eschew toys, and the only bed I like is my parents' big bed at night. BUT if there's one thing I do enjoy doing, it is drooling. Easy peasy. Slurp a lot of water. Let your face hang down. And just wait for the flood. This is especially endearing when you do it next to a human. But shhhh, don't tell Gail I told you. xxoox
Deletewe are a kind of that pests... but we love that hehehehehehehe
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, Nobby; as an honourary aunt, Like M, I do think we are permitted to provide one treat a day surplus to Gail's offerings. I mean, you are a growing boy... but still, that is the limit then! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Gail replies: as Nobby's training is still, let's say, a work in progress, he does get small treats for promptly obeying commands like "come Nobby!"
DeleteI'm only really strict about not giving him anything while I and other humans are eating!
Poor Nobby!
ReplyDeleteI don't bother anyone at the table for food or if we're out walking, and rarely get a treat on, or after, a walk. I get them when I'm left alone and told to look after the house, then a thank you one for being a good girl afterwards.
I wish I could come with you on M's walks - her treats sound fabulous!
Love,
Inca xx
Nobby, you definitely have the look of love in that photo!
ReplyDeleteSharing is caring and you are too cute not to share with, Nobby!
ReplyDeleteGail is right! it only takes a canine 3 times to form a habit and become a food pest. I can attest to this because all 6 of our dogs were pests. Beau did not know about people food when we got him, he may have lived with someone kin to Gail. I wanted to leave him that way, but both of us enjoy the pest sitting between us waiting for his share. he even has a tiny plate, so we can tell how much he gets. I don't think all dogs drool, but may have to ask Google. Beau has drool that is long 6 inch streams.
ReplyDeletePS. this is an EXCELLENT photo of you and M and you look so very handsome
DeleteM clearly is an excellent friend; I am certain that, if she is carrying WFT treats, she will give them to you at the appropriate time. You can help create "an appropriate time" by being on your Best Behavior!
ReplyDeleteNobby a fine handsome devoted companion such as you should
ReplyDeletenever have to manage your expectations. However sitting way over here on the other side of the Pond I can say that. BOL BOL LOL Looks like you are sitting nicely that deserves a treat
Hugs Cecilia
You are putting on your best begging face, Nobby, so we hope you were rewarded when Gail wasn't looking. BOL! We get to sample our parents' meals but have to wait until they are all finished. We've learned to be patient and don't beg or become pests while waiting.
ReplyDeleteOur Mama THE.SAME.WAY! No food from the table....no sharing snacks....She's so very mean!!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for Daddy!
xoxo,
Rosy
At our house, we are usually generous with treats. Sometimes Chester will get a few bites of our dinner, as long as it doesn't have any onions, garlic, etc. that dogs aren't supposed to eat.
ReplyDeleteWe never give food at the table either...they have 'treat time', and anything we might want to give from our food, is given away from the dining room.
ReplyDeleteYou sure do look rather excited to get a possible treat, Nobby!