Dog... They definitely... DEFINITELY don't reward that behavior. And I get every woman is different, but in 4 out 5 of them I can call it like clock work when they fall off. You show some vulnerability, indicate a stronger interest, or come off like you're not dating/capable of dating anyone else, something will self destruct and go awry and back to square one you go. And it's fukking beyond annoying.
This other chick I was talking to that I actually started to have interest in, we had a falling out 2 months ago, and it started with me and her starting to feel around what we were doing. shyt completely fell apart on some "should I be dating other people" "I need some space". And it wasn't me bringing the convo up, it started from some trivial shyt like I didn't hold the door open when we went to a dinner date... after 4 other flawless dates. I bring her up because she hit me up a little over a week ago and we started to go down the path of linking up again, but then I guess I told a corny "joke" and shortly self destructed again. Told her last week, I'm digging you but I'm not walking on eggshells in every interaction we have and left it like that.
To your point, I have to find one that I'm really interested in, put my effort in her and take a gamble. It sucks, because it can unravel... but at least I know I'm putting my best foot forward in that interaction.