Get Email Updates
Get Email Updates

Giving Thanks for the T.A.P.

by | Nov 10, 2021

Two golden retrievers sit side by side, smiling at the camera. They wear paper "pilgrim" hats and signs around their necks - on the left, the sign reads Share Your Food - on the right, the sign reads With Your Dog!
Dear Friends, Family, Abolish the Crate Federation Members and Fans,

Grady’s favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, is soon upon us. As many of you know, Grady is a popular food/treat blogger and has devoted a significant amount of his time promoting ways to encourage humans to increase treat distribution. For example, Grady’s, “Two Treats and a Tennis Ball Tuesday” has been very successful with the only drawback being some weight gain for a few of our canine friends. Grady’s response? “It’s called exercise!”

For years, Grady has been trying to figure out a way to partake in holiday food, which he considers the BEST treat. I am pleased to announce that Grady has devised a protocol to increase the likelihood of a human sharing their holiday food/BEST treat. He calls it TAP, short for Treat Acquisition Plan. I think it is brilliant.

I must warn you, it involves the utmost focus, concentration and perseverance. That can be challenging for many of us. But, if you stay the course, your chances of getting the BEST treat will significantly increase.

There you have it. Chapter and verse.

Dawson Earnest Huntley
President & CEO
Abolish the Crate Federation

Hi Everyone!

As many of you know, Thanksgiving holds a special place in my heart. In the past I’ve advocated for a Holiday Feast For Dogs but to no avail (read my blog here). I’ve also discussed the origin of the word Thanksgiving as it relates to treat giving behavior (blog here).

The response from the canine world has been extremely positive, which I appreciate. Sadly, despite my best efforts, it appears as though humans are lagging in their interest (dare I say, desire?) to share their holiday food (hereafter referred to as the BEST treat).

Do not despair. My Treat Acquisition Plan (TAP) will get you closer to tasting the BEST treat. My suggestions are few but you must follow them precisely as I cannot be held responsible for any deviation.

For those of you who are visual learners, please see the demo video.

Treat Acquisition Plan (TAP)

This is what I do to get the BEST treat:

  1. Show the human your finest sit. I’ve found humans tend to be an easy mark if you have a confident, impressive sit.
  2. Keep your eye on the prize (in this case, the BEST treat that you desire).
  3. Be as still as a statue. You don’t want to alarm the eating human with any sudden movement or violation of their “personal space.”
  4. Wait patiently. Let nothing distract you.
  5. Wait some more. Stay extremely focused.
  6. Keep waiting.

If you follow the steps above, you have a very strong chance of getting the BEST treat from the human. Since Dawson always recommends having a back up plan in case things don’t go your way, please see TAP Plan B.

TAP Plan B

If the human finishes their food without sharing, quietly follow them out of the room. Often, I find that if I shadow the human while they’re back in the kitchen piling up their plate for seconds, they will give me the BEST treat. One would think they’re doing it out of the kindness of their heart but, honestly, I think it’s guilt at seeing all my drool from patiently waiting for the BEST treat.

I’ll take whatever works.

Sincerely,
Grady Buford Huntley
Spiritual Advisor
Abolish the Crate Federation