I could actually see that last bit holding true for some. Let's say you see "good grades" as a reward. There are lots of people who read when they were in school because it was required in order to get decent grades. Once they got out of school, however, their reading dropped to little to nothing, because there no longer seemed to be a point to it. If the reading itself never reached the point of being perceived as a reward all on its own (which can happen, if people are only ever forced to read things that they don't enjoy), then why continue doing it?

This book sounds very interesting. Did it give you ideas for Zeva at all?

That is a fair point. I was just thinking of me, and that while the reading experience might be enhanced by getting free chocolate, I would not be disturbed from my reading merely because the chocolate flow stopped. But if I were reading only for the sake of being able to complete assignments or whatever, then that would be a completely different deal. So anyway . . .

And no, this did not at all help with the Zeva situation, except to make me realize she's probably much smarter than I was giving her credit for. I have three books left, with high expectations for all of them that they will help me solve my problem: Agility Training, 101 dog tricks with step by step training instructions, and Dancing With Your Dog. We start on those tomorrow.

Dog boredom is definitely a challenge! I never really found anything my dog liked to do alone, so I hope you are able to find some good ideas. :)

If i do, I'll let you know. That's my big problem too.

?..isn't there a lot of positive research on microrewards for humans, though? Interesting review!