Our Dog and Her Treats

[Benton D Struckcheon]

Posting this just to see if there's anyone else around here with a dog like this.
First of all, this is MY first dog, because I grew up in the projects where they didn't let you have a dog.
My wife is the exact opposite: she was poor too, but one of the ways her family got by was by boarding dogs for owners who were going on vacation. She says she can't remember a time when she didn't have to share her bed with multiple dogs when she was growing up, and of course her family had dogs of their own. And cats. And ducks. And, well, all kindsa animals.

I bring this up because I figure if my wife thinks it's unusual dog behavior, it probably is.

So, she took our dog to the vet today. They always give the dog a treat when it's all done: a milk bone. From about when she was two onward, our dog decided she wasn't taking treats from strangers. No lie. We have to take the treat, pocket it, and then when we get home, give it to her.
Today, at the vet's, the vet walked to the reception area with my wife and tried to give the dog her treat, and found out about this. Surprised, he looked at her and said, "Does she remember?", to which my wife replied, "Sure, it's hers."
So what happens is you take the treat into the car, and Carmen (our dog) watches you to make sure you still have it, and keeps a stern eye on you all the way home, and then when you get there, she bounds into the house first, does a 180, and stares at you until you give it up.

Then she eats it.

Anyone else experience anything like this with their dogs? Just wondering how unusual it really is. (She's a total mutt, by the way, so if this is the typical behavior of any one breed, well, it's probably just coincidence.)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I'd say you have a really smart dog!

I've never experienced anything like this with any dog I've ever had, but that doesn't mean anything.

Good for your smart Carmen!

She knows what's going on.

And a very belated welcome to DU!

[Benton D Struckcheon]

2. Hey!

Thanks for the welcome!

[marzipanni]

3. She probably is a bit anxious about the possibility of another patient

coming into the reception area and she'd have to fend off their desire for her milk bone. Dogs always sniff around at the vet's and seem very aware of the presence of other animals, past and present.

My dog looks forward to the drive-up teller at the bank where she thinks she gets to withdraw one milkbone each time.

[Benton D Struckcheon]

4. Seems reasonable (of your dog that is)

Ours does this generally: take her to get her nails cut at the groomer's, and it's the same thing. Although I suppose the source could be the same as what you're saying, now that I'm thinking about it.

[agracie]

5. She just prefers to "eat in".