*** ONE TREAT per Customer per Day, though! ;)***
We walk our neighborhood daily, and bring dog bone medium sized treats with us. We learned that from the mailman and the UPS guy, who got better treatment from certain neighbors’ dogs than we did, until we saw *why* the dogs weren’t hopping mad at them.
So now we toss the treats out if the dogs are out. All of the dogs have become much better behaved, especially a pit bull named Rocky. Now instead of barking as we approach, he sits and poses until his treat is thrown to him.
All of these dogs have invisible fences, but their owners need to keep their collars charged. You can tell when the charge is beginning to weaken.
At any rate, there are always a few dogs being walked in the neighborhood on leashes, and we KNOW they can smell those treats as we get near them. Even if the owner gets the dog to calm down quickly, they peer back us longingly.
If every dog we usually see is out at the same time when we walk, we go through 11 treats a day, so we carry 12 with us, in case we get a newcomer. We know all the dogs’ names, and the owners are becoming friendlier, too. We have Aurora, Lady, Cooper, Whiskey, Gus, Nala, Poppy, Rocky, Luna, Rosie, and Pete who greet us. Quite the group. Lady wants to be petted and a belly rub before she takes her treat. Each dog is so different, but they’re all very lovable.
That is so smart! Food is the best way to make friends, IMHO.
My Mom is always asking how I can remember all the dog names. I just say, ‘You don’t forget MY name or Sister’s name, do you?’
When you’re with a dog from birth to about a year (if they’re sold) or for a decade, you get to know them quite well!