Fair Is Fair

At the time of this tale, Nigel and Divot are both 9-1/2 years old but I must admit, I still give them a treat when they go outside to potty and come right back in for me. This may seem crazy since they have been housebroken since their youth, but as with many dogs, once you start something, stopping isn’t always that easy. Besides, it’s always handy to have them do their business and want to come in right away, especially at night.

We have always treated the dogs fairly – when one gets something, the other does too. They expect fairness and we have never had any aggressive behavior regarding food, treats or toys so this could be why.

They have become so accustomed to fairness, if one has to go out to potty and the other doesn’t go, the non-pottying dog waits inside anticipating the treat that the other dog has in fact “earned.” This has become so common that in the past year, the non-pottying dog doesn’t even feel the need to go to near the treat jar and just waits wherever he or she happens to be at the time of the potty break. An example would be Nigel asks to go out to potty and Divot is lounging on the sofa or in one of the dog beds. He will go out, do his business and then come right in to get his treat. She, fully expecting a treat, will simply sit there watching and waiting for her treat to arrive at her mouth. She is not even concerned enough to get up and make sure she’s going to get one, she already knows she will! Nigel does the same thing when she goes out without him. Fair is far − no worries here!

Always together and always fair