Therefore, Send Not to Know for Whom the Bell Tolls, It Tolls for Thee*

  

      A few months ago I saw an item at Mollie's Pup-Purr-ee in Danville that I knew had the potential to simplify my life.  After some consideration I decided on the leopard print (from the "Classic Personality Collection") and I headed home to install the item.  Set-up was simple at home and I read the directions carefully so I would know just how to introduce this item to my dog, Xena.
     This is the point at which I will spoil the suspense and just tell you that the item is called "Poochie Bells" and it is basically 4 jingle bells strategically placed on approximately 24 inches of decorative ribbon.  The idea behind Poochie Bells is for your dog to learn to ring the bells and thus signal to you that he or she needs to go out.  No more "accidents by the door" the website claims although accidents weren't my dog's problem- I just wanted to know when she needed to go out.
     So I began training Xena to use the Poochie Bells.  Every time that I saw her standing by the door I would gently touch her nose to the bells so that they softly jingled.  I won't say that she got the concept overnight but we persevered and soon the day came when I observed her jingling the bells without my interference. Recalling that specific moment I have a picture of her face as she somewhat tentatively brushed the bells- her expression was speculative but also contained the dawning realization of what she had just done.  I believe that she thought at this moment how this item had the potential to simplify her life.  At that time I was so very proud of my dog and I hastened to open the door for her.
     Now, I have always known how infinitely trainable dogs are.  I know that so well that I also know it is advisable as an owner to keep one step ahead of your dog.  It wasn't long before Xena was making use of the Poochie Bells seemingly every waking minute.  Requests to go out happened principally when I happened to be at the computer and so within sight of the door.  Requests to go back outside seconds after having been let out were frequent.  The jingling of the Poochie Bells (jingle, jingle, JINGLE) was often accompanied by a pointed stare at myself and jingling became more insistent (JINGLE, JINGLE, JINGLE) if my response was not quick enough.  Once I realized that I was the one being trained I contemplated linking the bells to some other task in order to turn the training back on to her.  By that time, however, I was really sick of the jingling (and I like all things Christmas- thanks Xena!) and I put the bells away.  You could say that I threw in the towel at that point.  Score= Xena-1, Laura-0.
     If Xena were human she might be wondering why the training seemed to be going so well only to have her owner lose interest.  It's all about motivation and reward for both of us.  I thought that Xena was rewarded for jingling the bells by the act of me opening the door and letting her out.  It was my mistaken belief that by putting the Poochie Bells into action I was initiating and shaping my dog's behavior.  Little did I realize that my dog was shaping MY behavior at the same time by initiating the jingling.  That realization (and the jingling) took some of the reward out of it for me, I have to admit.
     I don't mind being bested by my dog.  She is smart and observant and I know that.  The bells are up on a counter, far away from the door.  Now if I happen to jingle the bells by accident Xena shoots me a perky look.  She's ready to start the training again.  I think I'd like to get through the holidays first.