Sheila's Got Hops!!!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Always something new with a puppy. Sheila has discovered she can JUMP!!! My DH was taking a turn w/ her on HIS couch during basketball this weekend and all of a sudden my face was covered w/ fluff. Just like that, Sheila decided she had had enough of being lifted on and off couches, and mommy looked TOO RELAXED, so she ran and pounced. My DH was in stitches and so was I after Sheila and I got over the shock. Now when my daughter played volleyvall and had a really good vertical jump, they said that the girl had "hops". So now I know she is an official doodle, cause I've read all your stories about your doods having "hops". Labs don't have hops and if they make a mistake jump, they get in big trouble (at least mine did)!!

Also, we have jingle bells here in April. I was really worried that Sheila couldn't get the bell ringing concept. Or the going outside to do her business. Well, today I decided to move my computer to the kitchen and guess what. The bells have been ringing all day!! But of course she doesn't have to go everytime. I decided to see if she was experimenting or KNEW we'd "go out". You guessed it. First a tentative ring, then a ring w/ a look at me, then a loud ring and look at me. But she just wants to go out to PLAY. So now what?????? And of course no accidents today since I've been outside with her for hours. But I still don't think two pluss two equals four. I think we know two . . . . and then result.

But I had another clue that maybe Sheila really does have the wheels turning when I said today, do you want to go in the car, and she jumped in her air crate (car seat is in the car). So I think it's just like kids learn. . . first they listen for months, then they understand, then they talk. So she might be tiny but she has neurons connecting. Eureka!

We have class tomorrow night. Let's hope she does better this time and does something resembling a sit, let's go, instead of just jmping, jiggling, dancing, playing, flirting with the boys, etc. . . .

Happy St. Patrick's Day, L'il Sheila. We love you, you little peanut.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am having such fun following the adventures of Sheila.

[Karen & Lucy]

What a cute little girl! Just love her each day, they grow soooo fast.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Good girl Sheila! You'll get to know when she's just ring the bells to go out and play versus having to go potty. I think it's great though that she now knows to ring them to go outside. Even now, Guinness will sometimes ring the bells just because he's bored and wants a walk (well at least he did that pre Murphy - now he's never bored). I pretty much know his potty schedule, so I know when I really don't have to take him out. The best part of the bells is when you're in a different room and can't notice them hanging around the door. I'm amazed she already is jumping ON the sofa. Guinness has still never done that...only off. She may be a good candidate for Agility when she gets a little older. Tell her Guinness and Murphy say Happy St. Patrick's Day!

[Christina and Cooper plus Benny]

Yeah, they do ring the bells just to go out - or get your attention and play. Coop is a year and a half old and still rings from time to time without "needing" to go out at all. He likes to go out and get the fresh cool air. But, all in all, the bells have so been worth it, and if I let him out a couple extra times a day, oh well... :)
And, I love it when he rings and then looks at me, like come on, what are you waiting for, open the door already!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Oh Peri is almost 1 year old.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri still rings the bells for attention/to go outside. We ended up taking them down once we knew she was potty trained (5months?). Went to parents yesterday..they use the bells...guess who was ringing them every 5 seconds? Yep, those were removed immediately!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I hear you on them ringing the bells all of the time. they grow out of it though.