Hey, that actually worked pretty well

Riley was out in the yard when our neighbor came out with Abigail. We knew this because we heard ferocious barking--Riley had effortlessly leaped the little wire barricade and he and Abigail were nose-to-nose at the picket fence.

Doug and I sprang into action. "Chicken!" I said, and he whipped open the refrigerator and grabbed the emergency tupperware supply of boiled chicken breasts.

I dashed outside. Yes, it was 14 degrees and I was still in my pajamas and slippers, and yes, my hair was sticking up on each side of my head, making me look like I had just escaped the asylum, but fortunately our new neighbor is brave.

She started apologizing and dragging Abigail back into the house, but I asked her to wait--"I want to make Riley learn that good things happen when Abigail's in the yard," I said.

I called Riley and, wonder of wonders, he leaped back over the wire fence and sat at my side. I made him look at me and wait, and then I started feeding him chicken. He glanced at Abigail from time to time, but he stayed quiet until I told him to go into the house.

Yay, Riley! Another 50,000 or so times, and I think he'll get the hang of this.