Playing Inside

Other than during our early morning walk, Nikita has a tendency to flop down on the ground -- be it grass, sidewalk, driveway, middle of a busy street, etc. -- and refuse to walk any further than about 20 meters from our building due, I think, to the heat. (An innate stubbornness I'm enabling is another possibility, but I'm trying to ignore that.)

So I've had to devise ways for her to get her play on inside. She likes to try climbing into the tub while I'm taking a shower. (Go figure as she hates getting a bath.) This thoroughly soaks her, so we then play the throw-the-towel-on-her-and-let-her-wrestle-it-off game.


She also likes wrestling/biting people, so if there's a willing victim (here, Josh) I'll let her do that. On occasion, I'll crank up the A/C, get a thick sweatshirt out of the coat closet, and let her have at my arms. She now leaps with excitement anytime I reach for the closet door.

She also of course is the proud owner of a number of products in the "Kong" line of dog toys you stuff food, treat, peanut butter, etc. into through a small hole. The dog then has to chew the thing until the hole is stretched out enough for a treat, etc. to come out. Seems a little cruel but it keeps her occupied. She enjoys it so much that her eyes are closed the whole time she's playing with it. Hilarious.

All of these methods have the desired effect: exhausting her.

Such a sweet puppy.