[pepe mint]

all I can say is, to each his own. I have trained my cocker without treats. and anyone that comes into my home will tell you that she is one of the best dogs they have ever known. so well behaved and she has not had an accident in the house in years. she was potty trained by 12 weeks old...NO accidents. we rewarded her with praise and love. she got her occasional treat from the store when I would go out or her occasional kong full of peanut butter or even some surprises in her food. several times a day she would get special stuff. but it had nothing to do with her training. that was done strictly off of praise. she will walk without a leash, come when called NO MATTER WHAT and do anything I tell her to do...even if she doesn't want to. She completely respects me. we are extremely close. All I am getting at is that I feel it is possible and would like to try that method with Maggie as well. he can continue to do what he wants with his dog, but with Maggie, I would like her to be the dog that everyone raves about when they come over...just like Daisy is. I can tell you this much...all of my friends adore daisy...they can't stand rex. period. he is too demanding. it gets irritating when he barks and whines at us all the time. bottom line...I dont want maggie to be that way. I see nothing wrong with that. my dogs are not deprived and that is how I feel you guys are making it out. You guys are acting like they are deprived and that is just not the case. they have more toys, bones, and love than they know what to do with. but they do the right thing out of respect.