Every time we come home, Delly (the wonder dog) goes crazy with excitement. That's what dogs do, right? But she mainly goes crazy with excitement for Brenda because Brenda almost always gives her a little treat when we come home. And as she gives her the treat she'll say, "Now just this one time..." or "I'm not going to do this every time..." or "Delly you've got to quit expecting a treat when I come home."
Of course, Delly doesn't know how Brenda feels, or what she's saying, or what she means when she says it. She only knows what she sees -- "when Big Lady comes home, I eat." Brenda has trained her, unintentionally.
If people ignore what you say and how you feel and what you mean, what have your actions trained them to expect?
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