Papillon aggression

Riyo’s 8 Steps of Social Conduct and the “Pick you up!” breakthrough

Since the behaviorist fiasco, I have stumbled upon some methods that help Riyo cope with the few people who wish to socialize with him. In public, Riyo is actually fairly good believe it or not. His problem areas have become more controlled and tend to be worst in “his” places. I know, I know, I can practically hear Ceasar Milan reprimanding me when I say that. And I know the reason he hasn’t improved much at home or in the car at drive-throughs is my fault. I don’t work work on it enough! So he still barks madly at Taco Bueno and tries to remove ankles at the door.

He has, however, had some small successes in these areas. With the help of friends who would like to get along with him and actually make an effort (and they are few and far between), I discovered that if you observe proper social etiquette with him, he is not as much of a jerk. I will explain. Riyo is a perfect example of the Ceasar “No touch, no talk, eye contact” rule. Now, should you attempt to break these rule, there are more rules:

Riyo’s 8 Steps of Social Conduct

Step 1. Say hello very nicely in the gentlest possible manner. No tough talk or you’ll get it right back.
Step 2. In a non- threatening manner, slowly approach him — ideally turned sideways (one thing that behaviorist got right)
Step 3. Get down as close to his level as possible. No towering.
Step 4. Say hello again nicely as he grumbles at you and stomps his feet.
Step 5. Slowly extend your hand, palm up, and say “shake?” If he decides you are ok, he’ll chill out and shake your hand.
Step 6. This is for the few and the brave who wish to continue. Move a little closer and lightly touch him as you move your other hand up. As he sees the second hand, he will jump up and start grumbling again, but don’t give up.
Step 7. Say Riyo, I’m going to “PICK YOU UP.” At which point he will grumble a whole lot more. Repeat again if necessary, and say it like you mean it. Firmly but not loudly or angrily. He will grumble again, but despite the fact that he does not wish this to happen, he will move up and assume the pick me up position.
Step 8. Pick him up. And all is well. You may now pet and walk about the cabin.

The most interesting part of this whole thing is the “shake” and the “pick you up.” Once he learned shake, that seems to be a way he can associate with people in a civilized manner. The “Pick you up” part is even better. He used to literally freak out; thrashing, peeing, screaming, and biting if anyone tried to reach back and pick him up. It turns out 90% of the freak out was because he didn’t understand the person’s intentions! Once he understood the words “Pick you up,” he understood what was coming next and not only didn’t freak out, he’d actually assume the position. I find it convenient as well when I want to pick him up and he’s bouncing around acting silly. As soon as I say “pick you up” he quits his antics, runs up and assumes the position. It’s great.

If anybody else has these kind of problems, or even if you don’t, it’s a great thing to communicate to your dog! All it takes to teach it is repeating that phrase “pick you up” every time you pick him up for a 100 or so times. Next thing you know, the dog has put two and two together! It’s kind of neat.

For the front door issue, I tried the “time out” trick. I had a small piece of furniture near the door that I dubbed his “time out spot.” When visitors came to the door and Riyo attempted to give them nubs for feet, I would place him on top of this furniture and make him sit and stay. For whatever reason, once given the stay command, he would control himself and stay. It did require putting him back in time out a few times to get my point across, but it seemed to be pretty successful when I did it. I discovered pretty much in any place or situation when he starts being rude, the time out spot does work.

I have to add that for whatever reason, when it comes to me, none of this applies. I think he grumbled at me once, at which point he got a grumble 10 times worse back and it never happened again. Whatever I tell him, he does with joy; and he’s my best buddy. But if someone else tells him to sit…..well…..let’s just say if dogs could talk, he would be telling them where to go.

Riyo flunks agility class and meets the doggie shrink

Now that I learned a bit more about agility and have some renewed confidence, I will tell my first attempt at trying this sport. When I got my first Papillon, Riyo, I took him to a beginning agility class at an agility club. He was great learning the basic commands in the class, BUT…the instructor wanted the dogs to do an exercise where another person in the class calls your dog, and your dog is supposed to go to them. I still don’t know why this was important for agility, but anyway…that little exercise Riyo failed with flying colors. Not only would he not move toward the other person, he would just stand there and bark at them. There was NO WAY. So, he was not permitted to continue and the instructor referred me to a dog behaviorist. We never got within 50 feet of a tunnel, chute, or anything else agility. THAT didn’t go quite like I’d hoped, now did it.

Enter dog behaviorist. I did contact the lady I was referred to, and she showed up at my house in a little mini-cooper with a bag of chicken and a clicker. Her fee, a mere $300. WHAT? At that time I only had two dogs and more money, so I signed up and she started her first session. As soon as she turned her attention to Riyo, he started barking at her incessantly until he literally almost passed out. I’m not exaggerating. The little dope would bark so rapidly he’d hyperventilate and almost fall over. So she tries standing sideways to be less intimidating, ok good idea, and as soon as there is a break in the barking (aka hyperventillation) she would click and treat. Now in theory this sounds like this could be a good idea. Dog associates ceasing to bark with a treat and learns to stop barking. Now, the flaw in this plan, which Riyo also noticed, is that you must first bark to stop barking. Right?

Three sessions and $300 later, Riyo is successfully trained to bark incessantly when he wants a treat. He still despised the trainer and wouldn’t let her near him, but he’d bark to get a treat. I guess the up side to it was that the barking changed from a aggressive, defensive bark to just an annoying begging bark. And yes, you can actually tell the difference. So to this day, Riyo barks at whosoever may be holding food in hopes of getting a click and a treat. Now THAT didn’t go quite the way I wanted either, now did it.