Let's Interview Oliver: What's in My Papillon's Head?

by Carrie Boyko

(c) Alan Boyko

Oliver Loves to Bike with Me

It's Oliver's turn to get interviewed, although this may be an interesting challenge. Getting inside the head of a toy-breed dog is not as simple as the more athletic breeds. 

Oliver has two primary jobs. One is as the editor-and-chief of 5 Minutes for Fido and the other is described at the end of his interview. Now let's see what Oliver has to say:

Oliver

"My mom sure is determined to keep me from running the house. Every time I tell Tanner to get out of the pool, she puts me on the step in a "Stay", and I have to watch while he swims and has fun. After I'm a good boy, she gives me a toy to chase around the porch. Sometimes I swim too, but it's not my favorite thing to do. She says I have to know how to get out of the pool because I'm so short. How many times do I have to prove to her that I know where the shallow step is?"

"My favorite activity is pretending to be a sled dog when we go biking. I'm really fast and can run for a long time. Sometimes I even pull mom. I only weigh 9 lbs, so she doesn't let me do it much, but it sure is fun to be in charge of the run."

"Toy breeds are often considered lap dogs, but I'm not sure I'm a toy breed. I like active things like product modeling, meeting the neighbors, shopping and and walking with Tanner and Jacque. We get lots of funny looks from passersby. Haven't they ever seen three dogs walking before?"

"I'm really glad my mom gives us all organic dog food. When we learned that Xena had cancer years ago, Mom said we were all going to eat like she does. Xena's cancer could not be removed with surgery, but she was still a happy, playful girl for 3 more years. I hope I live to be old like her. She really proved those vets wrong; they said she would only be with us for a few more months. Hah!"

"We have lots of toys at my house, but my favorites are the ones in the freezer. Mom fills Kongs and other safe toys, freezing them with fillings like organic dog food, kibble, organic carrots, apples, and sometimes a little cheese. Yum! I love the cheese best."


" I really did enjoy showing up Tanner at agility class, but I was a little young and was not sure I liked being told what to do so much back then. Now that I'm all grown up I wouldn't mind going back to try it again. It was lots of fun to run and jump with mom; I didn't know she could do that stuff!"

"Recently I began learning some new skills that have turned out to be pretty neat for both mom and me. Apparently I have an extrasensory super duper nose. At least that's what I'm hearing. After I started staring my momma down when she smelled different she finally discovered that I was just trying to tell her that she didn't have the right scent, and that was a bad thing. She finally figured out that she was getting sick right after I gave her the high sign. Long story short, Viola! I'm now a Medical Alert Service Dog.  Mom says, "Who knew Oliver had such mad skills?"

"I say, "I did! Clearly, Momma can't smell herself, and Tanner seems oblivious as well. She's lucky to have me to keep her out of trouble. Now I'll be accompanying her on her outings to keep her safe. I rather like that job. Sign me up!"

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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© copyright Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Swimming Isn't Just for Lab-Lovers

© copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Tanner in True Fetching Form

Lately I've spoken with a number of Retriever owners whose dogs do not enjoy the water. After a few questions, the problem becomes clear. Given that these dogs, bred to collect the hunter's kill from the water, are natural water dogs, they probably just need a little instruction. Perhaps an easy acclimation to the water will work for them, as it did for Tanner. Here's how it went for us with Tanner, with photos from Oliver's experience. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of Tanner's turn. :(

At about 9 months of age, the water was an inviting temperature, and Tanner's interest in new things was peaking. Perfect timing for an introduction to swimming. After a long walk to tire him out, we enjoyed a cool-down on the pool deck. He likes being wiped down with a few splashes of water, so I used this to my advantage, and got him more wet than usual.

Then, taking my arms under his belly, we sat slowly down on the edge of the pool, danging his toes in the water. This felt good and he quickly found it pleasurable. I dropped to the first step. Now his legs were in the water and his tummy was feeling a surge of cool water. That did it. He wriggled and tried to escape, being confused by this chilly surprise. Holding him close, tightly to my body, I did not speak. I just waited for him to calm himself and acclimate.

When Tanner's breathing slowed and he loosened in my grip, I gave him a few minutes to enjoy the relaxed feeling and then dropped another step. Water rose up to his shoulders and his eyes became like marbles. He looked at me as if to say, "We're not going to keep going into this giant water bowl, are we?"

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver Gets Ready

for a Swim with Alan

Again, I simply sat quietly, holding him snugly against my body. And again he calmed after realizing, from my body language, that all was okay. I lifted Tanner out of the pool and allowed him to enjoy a good tail chasing and then dried him off. He loves being massaged with a thick towel, having his ears rubbed and his chest dried with a circular motion. This pleasurable end to Swimming Lesson 101 was perfect. He left his lesson with the pure enjoyment of a good massage. My hope was that his next lesson would go more easily.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Look What You Did to My Beautiful, Fluffy Fur!

It did. Without surprise, he awaited the move to each step. When we sat covered in the water up to his shoulders, his anticipation was palpable. Yet I waited. When he relaxed, once again, suspecting that we would go no further, I took this as my cue and stepped into the pool, continuing to hold him securely to me, as we moved around at a steady speed.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Oliver Heads for the Shallow Step

This took him by a surprise, but didn't take long until he began to relax in my arms. I dropped my arms, giving him a little push and said "Swim, Tanner!" He turned and came right toward me, using his paws to try to reach my shoulders for a good grip. Tanner's default grip has always been more like a toddler's. Tummy to tummy, he enjoys holding on to Toni or I, with his feet on our hips. And this is where he was headed. Without clothing to protect my shoulders or hips, I did not want this to happen now. Not here in the pool.

I turned him back toward the shallow step--his goal--and once again said "Swim, Tanner!" Once again, Tanner turned and headed back for me. This was going to be a challenge. He couldn't see the solid white step under the water; he simply knew that I was right behind him. This time I caught him and took him to the step. I put him securely on it and allowed him to stand there, realizing that it was good purchase, and he did not need me to hold him there.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Yeah, Oliver! You Did It!

I let go and backed up. He swam toward me. I cheered! Toni cheered! Alan cheered! Tanner was swimming!

It took a few more lessons before Tanner would get in alone, and a few more before he would jump into the water, and, well...you get it.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Alan and Oliver Race

Now he heaves himself in after a fetch toy like there was nothing at all to worry about. He just needed a confident teacher to show him how.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Tanner Leaps from Poolside to Fetch "Red"

Trying to teach your dog to swim? Most dogs can swim. Maybe Bulldogs and Bassets might have a bit more trouble. They lack the legs to propel their large bodies. Once again, I'll be willing to field questions. Click the link button at the bottom of the post and send me your question.