At the Fair Part II: the Agility Course

By Maya on October 31, 2011

A few weeks ago, my Papillon Riyo and I ran our first agility course in front of a small audience, and the way I performed is a perfect example of why I titled this blog “an idiot’s guide.”  My dogs are the geniuses, while I, on the other hand, often look like an idiot.

If you aren’t familiar with the Agility sport, the basic idea is that you and your dog work as a team to navigate through a course of obstacles.  In this case, a course of 18 obstacles (or was it 20?) clearly numbered with bright orange cones place next to each one.  As you move through the course, your dog follows your body language and words to know which obstacle to tackle next.

My little Papillon Riyo is so smart he makes me look like I am much more competent than I am.  He is so intensely focused on me that he responds to every move I make.  ALL I have to do is count to 18 and point at the right obstacle.  (except the weave poles, “we” (I) haven’t quite figured those out yet).  In my defense, following the course IS a little harder than it looks.

Papillon doing Agility

Riyo and me at the last jump!

Starting with obstacle No. 1, we’re off.  We get through the first 4 or 5 ok.  “Jump!” “Tunnel!”…not bad.  Then, either on 6 or 7, I hit my first hiccup.  Where is seven?  I have to clumsily stop and whirl around to figure out where to go next.  Now I’m getting more nervous and instead of saying “Jump!” I find myself counting out loud.  “Ummm….eight! Ummmm NINE!”  Ugh, NO!  I sound like an idiot!  “Jump!”  “Ummm… 11!”  Oh, this is not so good.

Despite my fumbling, Riyo is catching my drift and doing his best to figure out my clumsy and completely un-fluid progress through this course.   But, we’re still going, “Thirteen!”  I yell out, still counting out loud (oh my poor dog) — Then, as if my GPS suddenly lost power, I look around and cannot for the life of me find 14.  I’m spinning around, flustered, looking for 14 until finally the other club members have mercy on me and point at the elusive 14 and yell “tunnel!” at me.

Flustered and rather embarrassed, I look down at my little dog, and there he is still looking at me like I am the smartest, most amazing person on the planet.  He’s just waiting for me to tell him which way we’re going next!  Truly, no matter how idiotic or incompetent I am, my dog still looks at me like I am descended from Einstein.  The other thing I noticed was that he didn’t care how incompetent I was.  He was SMILING!  He was having a blast, just bouncing around and doggie laughing!

You know, he was right!  Who cares!  This IS fun!  And with that  bit of silent wisdom from my little buddy, I stopped feeling embarrassed and nervous and we finished the course.  Next time, I’ll remember that doggie lesson and just have fun!  Can’t wait to try again!

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The Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat Dog Costume!

By Maya on October 16, 2011

Even those of us who don’t ordinarily put clothes on our dogs can’t resist a little bit of fun come Halloween! I think this year I am going to bring back my favorite, the blue haired Nimbus “Things” from Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat! I went to Orland several years ago with a group from work for a trade show, but we of course couldn’t leave without a visit to Disney! There we found the “Thing” shirts and conspired to be a group of “Things” for Halloween.  As you can see, Riyo was included in our Halloween plans. Awww….. he was just a little over a year old then.

You can still do a Thing costume without going to Disney!  Just order a kid’s size t-shirt (or regular if you have a big dog) and cut it out to fit.

Then get some blue fuzzy fabric from a fabric store and sew it into the collar and anywhere else it looks cute!  (I don’t sew well, so Riyo’s costume is put together with safety pins)

If you want to give it a try, I found some shirts on Amazon!

 

 

 
I found this
Cat in the Hat Dog Costume at SpiritHalloween.com. So if you have multiple dogs, you can have a Cat in the Hat AND the blue Haired Nimbus! Hmmm…maybe Lizzie can be the Cat and the Papillons the Nimbuses! ….I really need to find a dog friendly Halloween party to go to.

Cat in the Hat Pet Costume Cat in the Hat Pet Costume

Bring a childhood favorite story to life when you dress your pet in this officially licensed classic Cat in the Hat pet costume, which is especially funny when your pet is a

 

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Does your dog have sensitive skin? Try sharing your shampoo!

By Maya on September 24, 2011

No, I have not lost my mind!  It’s true….

It’s been ingrained in our minds that human shampoo is not for dogs (and not to bathe them often), and this is completely true for your average shampoo as you never want to strip a dog’s coat of it’s protective oils.  But why do our shampoos strip our hair? Why these rules?  What is in shampoo that is so harsh?

Now that I am so familiar with ingredients, I see why.  Shampoos are full of all kinds of harsh ingredients that not only damage and dry your hair, but they are toxic too.  Looking at ingredients in your average dog shampoo, it’s no better!  The reason people always say you can’t wash your dog too often is because these harsh shampoos just kill a dog’s skin and coat  (and your skin too!).

The truth is, natural ingredients are simply better for you AND your dog.  If you use gentle, natural shampoos, you can wash your dogs once a week without any ill effects.  To the contrary, you can reduce shedding, smell, and dander and your dog’s coat will shine!

The other funny thing I found is YOU CAN SHARE YOUR SHAMPOO WITH YOUR DOG!  With the very big caveat that you are using a quality natural shampoo.

My little Papillon Riyo has very sensitive skin and if he gets one flea, it’s all over.  His poor tummy was all dry, flaky and scabbed in spots.  I was trying everything to keep any creepy crawly from touching his skin, but his skin just wasn’t recovering.  His poor fur was thinning too.  Even after getting the flea issue under control, his skin was still in really bad shape.

Neem and Shea Body WashThen it occurred to me; my body wash (Allafia Everyday Shea Bodywash) that I also use on my hair contains both Neem and Shea Butter.  Neem is a natural anti-inflammatory/anti-bacterial ingredient, and unrefined Shea Butter is soothing and moisturizing.  Even better, Neem is also an excellent blood sucking insect repeller!  There was no ingredient in the body wash that would harm him.  So, I washed him with it.  And guess what?!  His skin started clearing up the next day, and he was back to normal after the second wash.

Another HUGE plus is that body wash retails at $13.95 for a huge 32oz bottle that would last my little Papillon 4 years.  Even sharing with my other Papillon Mr. Darcy and me, we are still on our first bottle two months later.

So do yourself and your sensitive-skinned pup a huge favor and start using natural shampoos, conditioners, and body washes.  The one I, and my dogs, are using is unscented Everyday Shea Body Wash and Conditioner (both unscented for sensitive skin).  There is a pricier, non-sudsing line that expressly suggests sharing their line with your dog called Morrocco Method too.

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A fun training game to play with multiple dogs! “The Name Game”

By Maya on July 31, 2011

I found this little game to play with my dogs when I was trying to give them treats without mass chaos.  What was happening is none of them wanted to wait their turn to get a treat.  If I leaned down to give one dog a treat, the other three would rush in and try to grab it.  No, that just wasn’t going to work!  So came “the name game.”

Playing the name game is very simple.  I had all dogs “sit” the I started calling their name before giving a treat.  If another dog tried to rush in, they got a quick “no” for breaking their sit.  So in their mind, they are understanding that they are to “sit” until THEIR name is called.  So there I have four dogs, sitting, looking up very excitedly to get their treats!  Then I start making the rounds.  “Riyo!” he gets a little treat, “Darcy,” “Lizzie,”  “Carmina,” “Darcy,” “Riyo,” “Lizzie,” “Carmina,” “Lizzie,” “Darcy,” “Riyo” and so on and so on!  Mixing it up to keep them guessing!  You have to keep it fair though because they will notice if they get skipped an unfair number of times!

It is fun to do if you have multiple dogs and it helps them learn their individual names.  Sometimes when you have many dogs, their names start to blend together and they each think they have four names.  This little game really enforces which name is referring to them, and they love it!  It’s also really cute to see their excited little faces when they hear THEIR name called!  “OH! You’re talking to ME!”  :-)

ENJOY!

 

 

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Some dogs do not deal well with stress!

By Maya on May 9, 2011

While there are some dogs that seem to bounce around anywhere without effect, most dogs do get stressed when taken to new environments and situations.  Sometimes the only stress signs they show is the “yawn.”  Yes, the yawn.  It doesn’t always mean sleepy.  In stressful situations, dogs will yawn.  Other dogs will have much more dramatic stress reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea.

I am writing about this now because both Lizzie and Mr. Darcy had horrible stress reactions over the last two weeks.  Two weekends ago, I left Lizzie at a boarding place that a friend recommended in Houston, Texas.  Heidelberg Kennels.  I dropped her off on Thursday morning and picked her up on a Monday.  (I will discuss Heidelberg later)  Monday, I almost did not recognize her.  I even checked the little scar she has on her muzzle to make sure!  Her fur was falling out in handfuls, she looked like she had lost weight and was starving when she got home.  She also had horrible diarrhea and vomited.  This was all from STRESS!

The vet gave me medication to control the constant diarrhea and a bland diet that she was on for a week.  I had to get up every couple of hours all night to let her out before she started to recover.  It took two weeks for her coat to start to look normal again.  She also slept for three days after she got home.  The stress of staying at a strange, impersonal place was simply too much.  It was like she was willingly dying.  She was not sick from any disease, simply stressed and sad.  Talk about feeling guilty.

Then, yesterday, I took Riyo and Darcy to the agility event hosted by our wonderful local Obedience Club.  I decided to take Darcy too so he could try to get more comfortable in crazy environments.  I carried him around for a while, but he seemed to be unhappy with it, so I put him back in his crate.  Poor Darcy vomited and got instant diarrhea in his kennel.  What a total mess.  I had to leave the show early to take him home after hosing him and the crate off.  Then at home he was still so upset, he actually diarrhea’d as I was trying to blow dry him!  Fortunately, I keep medicine on hand for that and after spending a couple of hours resting in his crate, he was back to normal.

I’m sorry if this was a gross post, but I wanted to illustrate how dogs can have extreme physical reactions to stress.  This isn’t to say that you should never take your dogs anywhere, not at all.  I have to back up and start getting Darcy more comfortable with less crazy situations.  Riyo may not care for people, but I took him around so many places with me that he had a blast at the agility event.  I had his treats on the table by us and when people wanted to pet him, I’d say “he must be bribed” (which is true), and they would take a little treat, give it to him and get a little pet in.  It was fabulous.  But Riyo is obviously less sensitive to crazy locations.

Just FYI, be aware of the effects of stress on your dogs!

 

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The Doggie Dinnertime Ritual

By Maya on April 18, 2011

In my experience, the dinner time ritual that I started with my oldest dog is the most effective behavioral tool in so many ways.  It reinforces so many important dog behavior rules and training all in an exercise and it takes less than a minute a day.  Your dog learns respect for you, it reinforces your place as pack leader, prevents food aggression, promotes harmony between dogs in multiple dog households, teaches restraint, good manners, sit, look, ok release, and stay.  This is real doggie training bang for your buck.

Four dog dinner time ritual

Four dogs politely waiting to eat

I don’t remember why or when I started doing this with my first dog, Carmina, or even where I learned it.  I learned it from somewhere, but it has been so long I don’t know where.  Carmina, the mixed breed rescue dog who is now 12 years old was once what Cesar Milan famously terms a “red zone dog.”  She is the reason I started learning about dogs, simply to learn how to prevent her from knocking me off my feet while attempting to attack any dog in sight.  She was my only dog for 8 years, until I got Riyo four years ago.  Obviously, by the time I got 4.5lb  Riyo, I was comfortable knowing that I could trust Carmina.

Each dog since has been indoctrinated into the dinner time ritual.  It is much easier training one dog at a time, as you can imagine.  If you already have 4 dogs, it will be much harder to get this started.

Here’s what you do.  You have their food prepared, and your dog is all excited to start chowing down.  Usually, you put the bowl down and the dog’s head is in it before the bowl hits the floor.  Many dogs immediately become possessive of it at that point.  Instead, make the dog sit, then start to put down the bowl.  As soon as the dog starts to move in, stand up again and put the dog back into a sit.  If you have to put the dog into a sit, do it.  Don’t let that bowl hit the floor until your dog understands it is not allowed to move forward.  After the bowl is down, your dog will undoubtedly move toward it again.  Stay over the bowl like you own it and put the dog back into a sit.  You will be surprised how fast they figure this out.  Do NOT let the dog move toward the bowl until you release it with “OK!”  Most likely after a few days, they will get this ritual perfectly.

I taught each dog the same ritual as soon as they came into the house.  Since Carmina already knew the drill, I could easily focus on training Riyo because she knew the rules already.  Riyo learned within a couple of days.  The Darcy came and the same drill.  Carmina and Riyo would sit politely and wait until I explained the rule to Darcy.  He got it within a few days as well.  I also fostered a Doberman for a week that also learned the same drill within a couple of days.

Then, I added Lizzie who exhibited signs of food aggression, growling over the bowl, right off the bat.  That stopped within the first week I had her and never returned.  It was the same drill, the other three dogs waiting patiently and politely as Lizzie got schooled in dinnertime manners.

I also added the word “look” to the ritual.  Carmina I did not bother with “look” as she is old enough that seeing at all is an accomplishment.  The other three, as you can see in the picture, actually have to look me in the eye.  They also learn the release word “ok” extremely well.  You can talk, countdown, whatever, but until you say “OK!” the dogs wait.  Start with 10 seconds, but work up to where you can do at least 30 seconds to a minute with no problem.

my four dogs eating together

My four dogs eating together

As you can see, the result is four very different dogs eating right next to each other with no problems.  Considering Carmina (lower left) came to me with the caveat “she needs to be separated from other dogs,” this is a great thing.  Lizzie also could easily be an aggressive beast if left to her own decisions.

In conclusion, in less than a minute a day, this exercise helps with numerous behavior issues as well as teaches and reinforces obedience commands:  “sit,” “stay,” “look,” and “ok.”  It doesn’t get much easier and less time-consuming than that!

 

P.S.  If you noticed Lizzie has very little food in her bowl, it’s because she already ate half a bag of chicken and a raw drumstick during her tracking run.

 

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Worst Topical Flea Treatment for Papillons

By Maya on April 5, 2011

As far as efficacy, none of the topical treatments seem to be doing so well this year, but unfortunately Adams Spot On topical does not mix with Papillon hair. I will assume that it will be the same with other silky haired dogs as well. For price, it is really inexpensive. I decided to give it a shot because these medications can put a serious hurt on your pocketbook, so I was hoping this Adams at $12.95 for 3 treatments at WalMart would do the trick. While I can’t speak much to how effective it is in comparison to other topicals since none of them have done well this year, it absolutely kills a Papillon’s coat.

While all the topical solutions leaves some greasiness on the fur, the Adams topical turned half my Papillons’ backs into a nasty, greasy mess.  What worried me further is that is spread so far down the fur, they dogs can actually end up licking it. You put the solution between the shoulder blades so it is out of licking distance, but this topical soaks through the hair so badly it goes at least half way down the shoulder. I had to wash it out as it worried me they would ingest too much of it orally.

Also, it seems to be irritating their skin, so you trade a flea irritation for skin irritation.  I wasn’t going to leave it on any long for fear of really causing more skin problems and/or coat loss.  So word of caution if your dog has sensitive skin.

Maybe this Adams Spot On would work ok on shorter haired dogs, but I’m really not going to buy it again. I haven’t shelled out for the Comfortis yet, but I will.  And for topicals, stick with Advantage!

 

Adams Spot On

Adams Spot on for Toy Dogs

Rating:  TWO PAWS DOWN from the Papillons, and no paw vote from the big dogs since they didn’t try it.

1-800-PetMeds RX/468x60.gif

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Better flea control methods!

By Maya on March 23, 2011

I got this response to my first blog post/call for help from Riyo and Darcy’s first mom :-) I will go look for this stuff and try it out! Also was told by another Papillon expert to try something called Comfortis.:

Use a yard and house spray with IGR in it. Will be more expensive, but has a chemical in it that basically neuters fleas. Most sprays etc…only kill the adult fleas leaving the eggs, and other stages to hatch out and form into adults only to carry on the problem. IGR is an insect growth regulator that neuters them when they come into contact with it so the ones that continue to hatch out even after spraying will not be able to reproduce thus putting a kink in their life cycle. It may not totally stop the problem, but the IGR usually lasts for a while. Also, spray in the evening time near as sunset as possible. Sunlight breaks down the poisons and makes it not last as long and be less effective. Giving all night to begin killing is best. You should also repeat the treatment in 7 days with most sprays.

Yes, fleas are showing signs of getting immune to things that have been on the market for a while. That’s why we are always waiting for the next big break through product. Treating the dogs and the yard is the best you can do. Just be sure to be careful when looking into those newer products that claim to do multiple things all in one such as fleas, worms etc…They are often too harsh for toy dogs and cause an array of reactions from neurological to even death in some cases. I have also stuck with Advantage more than frontline as I know more dogs that have had issues with frontline from irritated skin to coat loss.

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Riyo flips me the tail at doggie agility graduation day…..

By Maya on March 12, 2011

This week was the last day of Riyo’s second try at beginning agility class and this time around there was no inexplicable “come-when-called-by-stranger” requirement, so he graduated!  For our class graduation, they set up a full agility course and each dog had their turn on the course just like a real competition.  I was completely confident that after Riyo’s stellar performance at the outdoor adoption event on Saturday, he was going to completely blow away the rest of the class.

The big dogs went first and one after another, the dogs went through the course, skipping a couple obstacles here and there, and at worst disappearing at cheetah speed into the field behind the course.  I was watching the performances feeling 100% cocky because Riyo was going to cruise through that course and put them all to shame pretty soon.  He’s already a pro you know.

Finally, it was our turn, very last as he is the very smallest.  Saving the best for last, of course.  So we go to the starting point and I take Riyo’s collar off, noticing, but ignoring his panting and generally weird expression.  He was going to snap out of it in just a sec and impress everyone with his agility splendor.  So, I tell him to “stay” and walk confidently past the first jump.  Look at that perfect stay! This is going to be good.  “Ok!” I say with all the enthusiasm I could squeak out, and here he comes for the first jump!…..and there he goes…skillfully avoiding the first jump altogether and running straight past me and the second jump.  WHAT?  Wait!  Riyo!  This is not impressing anybody.  Ok, let’s recover, we can do it.  “Come on Riyo!” I say in my annoyingly high pitch “I’m-going-to-convince-him-that-this-is-fun” voice.  Let’s go run across the dog walk!  It’ll be great! Ok, “Walk it!” And…….he goes through a tunnel instead and heads off toward his crate at the other end of the course, but we’re only half way through!

This is far from impressive.  As a matter of fact, I think we’re making the cheetah dog look good at this point.  I go and retrieve Riyo and skip over to the table.  Ok Riyo, you can do this.  “Table! Table! Table!” I’m really squeaking now. Whew, ok he’s on the table, never mind the down stay. Let’s go to the a-frame!  Ok, we can redeem ourselves here.  This is impressive.  Little Riyo climbing the A-frame will make everyone go “OOohhh!”  So “let’s go Riyo!  Walk it!”….and there he goes past it and me, and over the next little jump.  Train wreck.  One cool obstacle left, the ring jump before the last little jump at the finish line.  Please, can we at least do the ring? With all the squeaky excited puppy voice I can muster I make a try for it.  “Ok Riyo let’s go, ring! Jump!”  And……there he goes past me, past the ring, and straight to the last course jump at the finish line 15 feet ahead of me. He stops at the jump, hops over it, flipping me off with his tail as he went over.  “I’m done, that’s it! BYE!”

How did he graduate you ask?  It’s a no fail class.  Everyone passes.

 

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Catch-me-if-you-can! The runaway min-pin.

By Maya on March 5, 2011

Yesterday I was taking my dogs for a walk, usually I take the Papillons together, then the old lady Carmina, and then Lizzie. Not necessarily in that order. I could walk them all together, and I have before, but they all have different athletic abilities so it’s easier to take them separately, and I get extra exercise. But I digress. On my second loop yesterday with Carmina, a little Miniature Pincher came tearing across the street from seemingly nowhere. Fortunately the min-pin is a small dog, so although Carmina was far from happy and would have preferred just throwing the offending creature out of her way, we managed to get him out from underfoot and continue on our way. Half a block later, here he comes again, tearing down the road after us. He’s not aggressive, just a little unwise to rush up and try to sniff the butt of a much larger and entirely unamused dog.

As I start looking around trying to figure out who this dog belongs to before he follows us another block attached to my growling dog’s butt, a girl pull up in a little pick up truck. “Is my dawg followin’ yew?” … Um, yes. That would appear to be the case. She gets out of her truck, leaving it running and doesn’t take half a step toward the min-pin before that little package of canine lightening takes off in the opposite direction. So what does she do? Gets back in the truck and let’s the dog chase the truck all the way back down the street –as apparently the “dawg” will chase cars, but going to her was out of the question.

Thinking that that was the last I would see of the elusive min-pin, I finished the old lady’s walk and got Lizzie. 10-15 minutes later Lizzie and I make it back around to that street and as if on cue, here comes the little streak of black lightening heading directly for us. Are you kidding me?!! Here’s that same dog, in the same place, doing the same thing and no twangy girl in pajama pants anywhere in sight. Unlike Carmina, Lizzie is more interested in landing a big paw flat on the min-pin’s head, ducking and weaving thus frustrating the little dog’s attempts to sniff butt. I decide to just try to move on and jog off with Lizzie.

About a block down just when I think my plan has worked. Yes, you guessed it, again. Black lightning does strike twice. This time, he nearly goes under the tires of another passing truck before bee-lining for another shot at Lizzie butt. Now, I am truly aggravated and not just a little angry at little Miss Pajama Pants. So, I wheel around and start jogging back to what I think is the house the dog came from. As I get closer, I see the pajama pants hanging out, occupied with things other than looking for or securing her dog. This really ticks me off, so I yell in a not-so-congenial manner “HEY, COME GET YOUR DOG!” She looks over and slowly starts walking in my direction and as soon as she gets in non-yelling earshot the excuses start. He won’t come, they let him out, blah blah blah blah. I compose myself and tell her that her dog is going to get run over or something else unpleasant if she keeps letting him run loose like that. And then more excuses and, well, he has always come back and had only stayed gone a really long time a couple times.

I am fully aware that I completely wasted my time and breath, but I told her, listen, go walk him down if it takes you all afternoon. He’s got to stop sometime. So I start walking after the dog, basically in attempts to put her in the awkward position of forcing her to deal with the issue all the while trying to explain to her that she needs to try to train her dog to come. I could be wrong, but it seemed like a classic case of the dog that doesn’t come, then when he maybe did come in the past he got in trouble. Doggie translation “I go to person when called and bad things happen.” As I tried to give her some pointers it was pretty clear she wasn’t going to do anything about it, but I guess I felt I was at least trying to help the little guy. She also admitted to playing a game in the back yard where they would lunge at the dog so it would run and they’d play chase. Hmmmm….and you expect different outside the back yard?

I assume they eventually caught the dog. I went on my way after walking it down for about 15 minutes, but at least herded it back to the cul-de-sac where he came from. I suspect that nothing will change and the sad truth is that the energetic little black-lightening butt-sniffer will keep getting out and running off until one day his luck runs out. Sigh…….

Major rules I was taught for teaching come, just so your dog doesn’t do this nonsense:
1. When you say come, no matter what the dog is chewing, destroying or peeing on, if your dog COMES to you, YAY!!!! GOOD DOG!!!! Dog must understand that COME = YAY good things!!! NEVER call a dog to you to discipline it. If your dog is digging up your flowers, GO TO IT to discipline.
2. Keep treats around the house and practice saying “COME!” Every single time that dog comes to you, it gets a treat. (reinforcing COME= YAY!!!)
3. If your dog plays “catch-me-if-you-can” in your backyard (I went through this with Lizzie). DO NOT try to chase and catch her. You will lose and the dog will find it to be a fantastically fun game. Whoo hooo! In the back yard, just walk your dog down, calmly, slowly, and determined. If it takes you half and hour, do not run, do not try to catch, just systematically walk the dog down. I found that it kind of freaks them out and they give up pretty quickly. After about a month of doing this with Lizzie, she has now stopped that behavior.

It can work….Lizzie was definitely heading down the catch-me-if-you can road, so I asked for help, advice, and read books to find techniques to stop it. These major pieces of advice have done well.

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The Snuggle Cup Dog Bed: it’s a hit

By Maya on March 5, 2011

Riyo in his Snuggle Bed

In the same box with the Fire Hose dog bed, came the Snuggle Cup bed for the little guys. It was only $10 so I figured I’d have it thrown in the same box and take full advantage of free shipping, and I must say, I got my $10 worth!

The Papillons seem to prefer beds with sides rather than just pillows. I guess they feel safer when they can snuggle inside something and it held true with this bed. I put it next to my desk and Riyo immediately jumped right into it. Then Darcy tried to get in and Riyo started acting like a territorial little snot, so I had to give him a good “NO”! Then he let Darcy join him, grudgingly. For the most part they vie for the primo bed spot and try to get to it first. It kinda rained on their parade when Carmina decided the bed looked pretty darn comfy and knocked them both out.

Size wise, it is perfect for the Papillons. Riyo is about 4.5pounds and Darcy is 5. It’s a little tight for both of them to sleep in there, but they do fit snugly. As you can see, it is a good fit for Papillons, not such a good fit for large what-cha-ma-call-it dogs!

Size reference

not a good fit

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An idiots guide to dog ownership: a more accurate title

By Maya on February 28, 2011

Yesterday, I was so excited and optimistically confident in my abilities because I had gotten this wonderful training mentor and all these great tips.  I am still excited and grateful of course, but at the same time I woke up today thinking, OMG I have to DO this stuff?!  It all seemed so easy yesterday watching Mr. Ledda, this veteran expert run his dogs through all the routines and showing me all these techniques.  Today, it’s all a big jumble in my head.  That always happens.  The experts make it look so easy, then when it’s just me by myself, chaos.  For that reason, I have renamed my blog.  I decided this is truly an idiots guide and I’m the idiot.

Now I really feel the pressure.  I can’t go back to these people without showing some kind of general progress, right?  When Mr. Ledda worked with Lizzie, she looked wonderful.  She was actually in a perfect heel or “foos” without even knowing it.  Lining up just right.  I was thinking, “is that my dog?”  Today, I started trying it by myself and yeah, not the same.  Goes to show it’s not the dog that can’t figure anything out, that would be ME.  Me, I say “foos” and two steps later Lizzie’s butt is out 45 degrees and she’s practically walking sideways.  ARG!  What am I doing wrong?  I just kept straightening her out and trying again, but I’m telling you, she would be perfect in a week with Mr. Ledda.  With me, (groan) we look like a sloppy drunk Mo and Curly trying to walk in a straight line.

I have yet managed to figure out how to get any of my dogs to heel.  I will keep trying with Lizzie and Riyo.  With Riyo, I still have not figured out how to get around the fact that I’d have to be 2 ft tall to walk and hold a treat in front of his nose.  All these techniques I’ve seen at AKC and obviously with Schutzhund uses the “hold-a-treat-in-front-of-the-dog’s-nose-and-walk” method.  Have you tried doing that with a 10″ tall dog?  Try it for 5 minutes and you’ll turn into Quasimoto.

I’m going to keep trying.  I am hoping that maybe I can eventually accomplish something just out of sheer persistence and tirelessly bugging all the experts for tips.

FINAL NOTE:  Looking sloppy saying “heel” and “down” is one thing. Training in German saying “foos” and “platz,” well, you REALLY look like an idiot.  Suffice it to say, if you are going to yell “Platz” at your dog in public, be prepared to get snickered at if your dog gives you the finger.

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The Battle of the Fleas: Better Weapons Needed!!!!

By Maya on February 24, 2011

This is the first time I feel like I am losing the battle against the fleas since the advent of topical flea prevention. All of a sudden this year, Frontline may as well be motor oil. It’s just not working!!! Last year, I switched off my usual products to FrontlinePlus and Heartgard. I was using Sentinel/Advantix for the Papillons and then Revolution on Carmina. Lizzie has just been on Frontline and Heartguard since I got her. I don’t know if this is a product issue or if fleas have just gotten tough in general, but the FronilinePlus seems to be doing very little to help.

About a month ago, Riyo started scratching like crazy. Next thing I know, he’s chewed and scratched off half his hair and lost a good portion of his ear fringe. He looks pathetically reminiscent of a plucked chicken. Not a good look for a Papillon. I thought it was fleas so I kept bathing and treating the dogs with the Frontline every two weeks. NO help. He was still scratching like crazy. I got worried that maybe it was something other than fleas, so I took him to the vet. Diagnosis, flea allergy and resulting tapeworms! The vet says if he gets one flea on him, he’s so sensitive that he will scratch and bite till he gets it off. What goes with that is he gets tapeworms, which I’ve treated him for twice in the last two months. They also said that it is essential to exterminate in addition to the topicals because once the fleas get a hold in an area, they just take over despite the topicals.

Following vet instructions, I went to the local chemical store and consulted with them on what to get to spray both the house and yard. They recommended Permetherin. I then got a sprayer, mixed it up and went through and sprayed the house and the whole yard. I really hate messing with insecticides; it makes me feel like I’m giving myself cancer and killing fish all in one toxic swoop. But I hate fleas worse, so I did it.

One week later, SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH SCRATCH!!!!!!!!!! AAARRRGGG!!!!!! I’ve bathed, I’ve Frontlined, I’ve Advantaged, I’ve Adams’d, i’ve Permetherined…..what more must I do to beat these darn FLEAS!!!


I am going back to Advantix. It does better on the Papillons’ fine coats and it can’t do any worse that Frontline.

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

By Maya on February 23, 2011

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.

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Riyo flunks agility class and meets the doggie shrink

By Maya on February 21, 2011

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.

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