The following conversation took place as we were walking down the road, heading in the direction of the trail head.

Alys: Tyra, No treats today, for pushing open the gate.
Tyra: That’s wrong, totally wrong.
A: No it’s not. It’s intermittent reinforcement.
T: I don’t care what you call it, it’s not right. I do what I’m supposed to do, and I should get a treat.
A: I didn’t ask you to push on the gate.
T: You didn’t have to. I knew what to do. You should reward me for my imitative.
A: Nope. I have to ask you to do specific tasks. You do them, you get rewarded for it.
T: Where do you come up with these ideas?

Tyra saying high to Thelma

A: I have read a lot of books on the subject of positive reinforcement training.
T: What you have learned, it’s from the human and not the animal perspective.
A: True.
T: So, let’s bend the rules big time and reward me for doing what I see as the right thing to do.
A: Nope.
T: Yep.
A: Nope.
T: Yep.
A: Tyra, I have a question that I’ve been meaning to ask you for some time. Your information source, it’s mainly ravens, right?
T: Right.
A: And they pass on what they’ve learned from other sources. Right?
T: Right.
A: For instance, they listen in on human conversations, right?
T: Right.
A: And they pass this information on to one another, right?
T: Right.
A: How do you know that your news sources are reputable?
T: Because they back their opinions with actual facts.
A: I see. Can you give an example?
T: Sure. A raven recently told me that she talked with a male moose, one designated to be shot. He said that there were more hunters out than previously and that they seemed duller and stupider than previous hunters. This moose and others, upon hearing this, came up with a plan, which was, rather than run, to hold perfectly still when hunters were in sight. This way, they would not be seen. And to hell with those damn mating whistles.
A: This makes sense.
T: Well, it worked. This bit of information was passed on to me by a young doe, who managed this year to keep her family together.
A: So, you’re discriminating when determining what your news sources might be.
T: Absolutely.
A: Is there anything you’ve heard that you want to pass on to me?
T: Yes. Watch out for the three dogs on the upper road. They are loose and they are dangerous.
A: And should they come into the yard . .
T: Do what Pete said, and make you have a baseball bat handy.
A: I own a slingshot. I’m going to put up a target and start practicing.
T: An excellent idea.
A: Maybe I’ll Practice while on horseback.
T: Great idea. Hrimmi will love it.
A: And you?
T: I’d prefer that when riding, that you maintain your balance and focus on your body awareness activities.
A: Will do.

Next: 270. 9/30/21: The End of the Month Club