We’re back to house training and this photo that shows that Rusty poops like a spider.

When I was in the Lisbon town center, there was a guy who had a little goat perched on top of a stepladder.  He was a busker, like the human statues in NYC, hoping the crowd would contribute a few escudos.  It seemed a little cruel or exploitive, so I didn’t take a picture.  I think Rusty could do that.  He could probably poop while perched on the ladder.  If I ever try it, I’ll take a photo so you can send me money.

I’ve posted about Sparky’s eccentric practice of pooping in the house if there is snow on the ground.  He did that out of kindness, hoping to spare me the discomfort of going out in the cold, snow and ice.  Since I have boots and a coat and a dog is never allowed to poop in the house, I had to change his mind.

One approach was to give Sparky a treat when he pooped in the snow.  Food is a great motivator for beagles.  Sparky figured it out, so began pooping two or three times when we’d go for a walk.  The second attempt was pretty thin gruel, and the third attempt was just a ruse.

I repeat the training each year when the first snow falls.  I give a full payout the first time he exploits the system, then only reward the first dump on the next walk.  After that, we’re done.

Rusty is getting the same training.  After a payout, Rusty often looks at me for a no-effort, random treat.  That means that he hasn’t connected the dots yet.  When he stops that, and realizes that he only gets paid for producing, I’ll know he is almost there.

Rusty has to figure that out before we end the solarium quarantine.