Too Smart for Positive Reinforcement

This sortof belongs on our family blog – but those readers won’t ‘get’ this as well

A few days ago, Isaac and I got home pretty late after eating dinner out. Normally he watches a few tv shows while we eat dinner – but since we’d already eaten – it was really almost time for bed. I told Isaac it was already late but he could watch ONE episode before bed. BUT, I asked him to please turn the tv off once it was done with no whining for another episode. He agreed and settled in while I did a load of dishes and clothes. When it was over – I watched him out of the corner of my eye and he got right up and turned off the tv. I still had to take the dogs out before bed, so I told him how proud I was that he turned off the tv with zero whining; walked right up to the tv, turned it back on and told him he could have another episode while I took the dogs out. He was so excited!!! When I told hubby later – he thought this was some impressive parenting/training (it’s really one and the same you know).

The next day – after his tv episode; Isaac turned the TV off – which totally impressed me. Then he said – “Now can I have another episode!”. Fortunately, he took it with good grace when I told him that we couldn’t tonight, and again before school when he repeated the pattern and I told him we needed to get to school.

I suppose I shouldn’t say he’s too smart for positive reinforcement. I’m SURE if our dogs could vocalize their thoughts when they offer a behavior we haven’t asked for, they too would say “NOW can I have a cookie??”