Hello Lolly!

Tickle Puppy

Laughing at Eric?
Originally uploaded by ericandkatherine

Eric started playing a new game with Lolly called "Tickle Puppy" - Lolly lays in his lap, belly up and Eric says excitedly "TICKLE PUPPY" and, well...he tickles her. This lasts for 20 second then he stops and freezes and Lolly is wide-eyed with anticipation. Then Eric says "TICKLE PUPPY" and starts again. These games are not very complicated as you can tell, but Lolly loves them.

The other day she was looking at me and I asked "Tickle puppy?"; Lolly dashed over to me, and jumped in my lap on her back, ready for a rousing round of Tickle Puppy.

The Tell Bell

  Nap 
  Originally uploaded by ericandkatherine

Since our move to the new house, we stopped using puppy pads and Lolly was officially housebroken. She is very good about going to the door to tell us when she has to go out (sometimes it is also a ruse to go out and try to get us to take a walk.)

And although Lolly is good at going to the door, she sits silently. This becomes a problem if no one is in the room. Last week I was upstairs getting ready for bed, and when I came downstairs there was a pile by the door. I couldn't be upset, I'm sure Lolly waited by the door for awhile and then thought "I gotta GO."

After doing some research, Eric bought the Tell Bell for Lolly. Basically it is one of those "ring bell for service" bells that the dog is supposed to hit to indicate it's time to go. Apparently it's better than just hanging a bell on your door, because the constant ringing sends mixed messages to the dog.

So far results have been lukewarm. You're supposed to put the dog's paw on it before you go out. However, Lolly is not down with anyone reaching for her paws. So Eric or I will ring the bell before we go out. We'll continue to work on it but in the meantime it seems like Eric and I are becoming well-trained.