Halloween is an ancient holiday that has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints Day. The classic celebratory traditions of masquerading as spooks and sharing tricks and treats have been around for many generations; they may be more far reaching than you've ever known. If you are the owner of a dog and are expecting to entertain traveling bands of ghosts and goblins at your doorstep this coming Halloween night, then you'll get to participate in another not-so-ancient Halloween tradition.

Yes, canine Halloween festivities can be interesting, and you may already be giving some thought to who or where you want your dog to be on Halloween night. There are many possibilites: Barking werewolf sequestered in bedroom, Cujo on a leash, candy-nabbing ghost, friendly butler, snoozing mummy, to name a few. Depending on your dog's temperament and level of obedience, Halloween night can be a real test of your ability to control his voluntary behavior, and you may wish you had more effective tools at your disposal. Actually, the “tricks and treats” so married in our minds with Halloween are an everyday part of many dogs' existence, specifically targeted to affect patterned behaviors.

B.F Skinner's theories of operant conditioning are woven into the fabric of all animal/dog training methodology. The basic premise is that when you follow a voluntary action with a negative or positive reinforcement or punishment, you can control the frequency of the action or do away with the action altogether. Clicker training is one example of operant conditioning that uses positive reinforcement for the desired response, in the form of a treat. Electronic collar training (for example, an invisible fence) is also a representation of operant conditioning, using the electronic "stim" as a punishment for breaking boundary.

Without delving into the science, or opinions, on animal behavior I will say (having lived around dogs a lot) that you should pay close attention to the manifestations of operant conditioning in your relationship with your dog, whether you initiated them or they evolved without your conscious influence. In my house, the sound of metal food bowls clanking instantly results in four dogs lying at my feet awaiting a meal. My appearance at the back gate means four dogs ready for a walk. These are conditioned responses and are an important part of our daily life. But realize that there is room for much more depth in your relationship with your dog, and your dog knows it.

I am forever amazed at what I find when I lay the template of operant conditioning over the actions of human society. So much of what we do is fueled by the expectation of reward or the avoidance of reprimand. It seems that we could plausibly come to the point where taking action based on anything other than personal advance is obsolete. Whether it is obeying traffic signals, paying bills on time, saying the right thing at the press conference, we definitely base so many of our actions on whether the outcome will be reward or reprimand, gain or loss, getting dissed or elected!

When used judiciously, operant conditioning can support clarity, order, and obedience. But when the balance tips too heavily toward treats or tricks, here comes the horror!

Sometimes I feel like I am spinning into a Halloween-ish portal where all that matters is what I can get or how I can trick someone into giving me what I want! It gets crazy and mysterious. Ghouls tempting me! Spooks and vampires around every corner! Everything I get requires a dance, a performance, a trick! Woof! Woof! Save me! If there were only a world where you could be rewarded for your devotion to the good of all. Be recognized for your procurement of self, for the advancement of all. How refreshing would that be? To know who you are, and that what you have to offer is worthy.

Beyond operant conditioning, I'll never forget the first time Patch (my dog) assisted me on a training with absolutely no encouragement from me, at 1 1/2 years old.

I was in a field with an adolescent German Shepherd pup working on directional commands and the subject was being less than cooperative. I had let her off the line prematurely and she was responding to a recall command by doing the "cost/benefit analysis." As she debated her response to my recall, Patch watched with investment. Her glance shifted between the pup and me and suddenly she lit off in a sprint toward the pup. Upon arrival, she circled the pup twice, doing a rodeo bull kind of dance and emitting a growly/bark combo. She then struck out back towards me stopping a couple times to shoot a glance back at her inquisitive apprentice.

When Patch got back to me she sat and instantly stared back in the direction of the pup. Much to my surprise our trainee shot straight over to us, absorbed her praise, and then was put directly on a line for further training. Thanks Patch! Patch applied herself with no influence on my part. No promise of reward, no concern of reprimand. She simply dedicated herself to a mutual goal, understanding the needs of the moment.

Magic takes place when an individual lends a helping hand/paw that is not inspired by the promise of reward or the concern of reprimand ... a person helping a struggling senior, a spontaneous phone call to an old friend, or a relative lending support to a family member. I guess I would refer to this as love, or at least a necessary ingredient of true love.

Not to be too negative, but I wish our culture was more naturally geared toward “effort without designs on personal gain.” Maybe then insurance companies would be as invested in our personal health and well-being as they are in profits, service providers and creditors would stop tricking us into paying for things we're not aware of or don't need, and everyone could stop offering mounds of treats (rewards and points) for playing their game!

This year I propose taking a deeper look at “trick or treat.” Have some fun, feel the vibe, challenge our instinctive responses. Then, with a renewed vision of reality, let us return to the selfless work of being alive and invest in the larger picture! If we prioritize the good of the whole, we may not get a treat for everything we do, but tricking us will be less likely.

John Spieser is a professional dog trainer and owner of Dogheart. He can be reached at john@doghearta2.com.