I try to avoid the whole candy-as-reward thing as well, but the parents and myself have found praise ineffective with him... To be honest he's a bit if a space cadet and I'm pretty sure even when he's focused, he's not entirely focused. I've had a bit if success with stickers coupled with the candy, so I'm hoping to fade rewards into just stickers shortly.

I agree with responses: he's ready to be a bit challenged, there's no risk for him yet, since he's almost always able to push something out, even when he's gone in his pants.

I do really want his parents to step up though, especially involving having him in underwear or cloth training pants at home (I've suggested even an hour or two once a day would help). I'm not sure he knows the difference between wet and dry, so I think a lot of the problem is coming from there. To be honest, I'm tired of changing poopy pull- ups, so for now it's worth the hassle for me to avoid that.