Busting Out of a Rut with RIZZ!

A few months ago, things had been getting dull at home; too much work, too much routine, and too many chores took over our lives, leaving us tired and dreary. I was preparing for my second knee replacement, so an RV trip wasn’t going to work. It finally felt like the right time to (drum roll, please) get a puppy!

We got a teacup poodle, and he has been an absolute handful. We got him at two months old, and he’s seven and a half months old now. I’m sorry for holding out on you; I’ve had all that work going on AND the puppy.  He is such a confident dog; he just knows that everyone he meets will love him. We named him Rizz, which is current slang for charisma. In the crudest slang, it’s a man who has luck with the ladies. Well, all the ladies who’ve met this dog loved him, so the name appears to fit! He charms everyone.

Rizz – as he got a bit older, his mustache came in a bit brownish!

He has had little impulse control, too many teeth, and way too much energy. My other dogs always seemed to do what I wanted them to without any training. This guy is obviously different. He followed me everywhere and did whatever he wanted. Anything dangling near his height ended up in his mouth, and his teeth were sharp! Most often, it was my hand in his teeth, the clothes I was putting on, or the laundry I was folding. My husband and I finally hired a professional dog trainer to teach us how to train Rizz. Luckily, he’s a pretty quick learner when treats are involved. I’m currently teaching him not to bark at everything. Progress is slow, but it’s coming along.

Sometimes, Rizz is a cuddler! He began to cuddle with me in his sleep and even sit on my lap quietly when I meditated. That all ended when he launched into puberty, and his energy ramped up a little more. Small dogs mature more quickly than large ones, so he got the big snip a couple of weeks ago, and we hope that his energy will even out a bit.

Our 19-year-old cat, Nami, is not putting up with any of Rizz’s shenanigans, though, and she is quick to hiss, swat, and growl. Rizz thinks she’s being playful and continues to approach her. After plenty of hisses and swats, they have come to an agreement to coexist and will share my lap. Garnet, our 16-year-old miniature schnauzer, is teaching Rizz some manners, which is painful at times. She is keen to teach him that he can’t steal another dog’s treats, even if he is quick enough to snatch them.  Rizz must see her as a mother figure, because they still snuggle and eat together.

River and Garnet seemed offended when we brought this new dog into our home. Weren’t they enough? Well, yes and no. While I worked all day, I saw how bored River was. When we got Rizz, I kept telling River she didn’t know it yet, but he would become her best friend. That seems to be coming true, as they enjoy playing together and take turns chasing each other through the house and yard. One will grab a toy and play keep-away from the other. I laugh when I see Rizz’s strategy to run hard, stop and hunker down as River thunders past him, and then he turns and runs in the other direction. He may be much smaller, but he has figured out how to make playtime fun.

Much to our delight, Rizz loves to play fetch! I have even taught him to release the ball and sit for a treat upon return. Getting Rizz has been a good move for all of us! I just had my second knee replacement, and we all look forward to being able to go camping again. I see plenty of dog walks in our future, too, as I continue rehabilitation.