[lemonlauren]

Nikko is a very spunky and VERY smart 4.5 months old. He rings the bell to go outside, rarely has accidents indoors (less than one or two a week right now), knows quite a few tricks already, and knows EXACTLY how to make us do what he wants.

The problem is, he has only two modes: asleep or awake-and-needing-our-undivided-attention. If he does not get our undivided attention, he goes over to the bell and rings it even if he doesn't have to pee just because he knows we'll drop everything and go take him outside - he'll get attention.

Just this morning, after a nice 1+ hour play session, I let him wander around while I checked my email. In a 15 minute period then, he rang the bell and I took him out six times - if you do the math, that pretty much means as soon as I sat down each time, he ran over to the bell. I got nothing done. I don't let him play outside when he rings the bell, it's just the 8 foot walk over to the pee place, 60 seconds or so of trying to convince him to "go potty," then an 8 foot walk back inside.

Do you all have ANY ideas on how to get him to be happy with entertaining himself? He isn't interested in things frozen in his Kong (too much work, no matter how appetizing the treat). He's not real big on treats anyways, and we've even had the same bully stick for a month that still looks almost new that he only chews on casually every once in a while - and usually only if one of us is holding it for him. Do you have any other suggestions for toys (non food related probably) that might entertain him? Can I take the bell up for 15 minutes after I'm certain he doesn't have to pee/poo? Or should I block off the route to the bell sometimes when I'm pretty sure he doesn't need to go out? What can I do!?!?!

Lauren & Nikko