Good doggie.....

Northernsun · 05-12-2006, 09:15 AM

I found i have the "good dog" syndrome. :help: I seem to work on the reward system. Used to be when i was finished with a task, like cleaning the kitchen or weeding the garden or even small things like starting the laundry, I would reward myself with a sit down on the porch with a cigarette. Now that I don't smoke I noticed when I came in from the yard yesterday, I reached for a treat right away. ( good doggie!!!:heh: ) Could be worse, my current treat of choice is chedder rice cakes, but had to stop when I remembered I had just had a fill and was on liquids till tomorrow. I then thought that i do this a lot which lead to the diagnosis of Good Doggie Syndrome. Combined with OAM ( old age memory!) and CRS syndrome ( can't remember sh***) I have to really try hard to remember to stop this. I am afraid there is no cure - I know there is no cure for OAM and CRS but anyone know a cure for Good Doggie Syndrome?

giveyouthemoon · 05-12-2006, 09:28 AM

I don't think it's wrong to reward yourself for a job well done. In fact I think it's healthy. But it's about choices...... So in this instance, (I had a similar one and this is what my therapist told me) it's time to find a replacement. Something more toward your overall goals. (she told me no one that has an addiction can just stop having addictions...it's about finding something healthy to be addicted to....)

To be honest, a rice cake...not the most terrible thing in the world. Don't beat yourself up about it.... But at least make sure you truly enjoy it! Your reward should be truly rewarding.

I don't think you have to give up rewarding yourself, we just need to find a more healthy way.

What are the things you like? Can you replace it with.....taking a nap? Listening to music? Going to a movie? Get really creative. Make it worthwhile!