Most dogs seem to understand simple words such as sit, fetch, stay, eat, outside, ride and treat. Dogs are intelligent animals and studies have shown that dogs can understand words and gestures. Researchers that study canine intelligence have found that dogs may understand over 100 words or more. I also recently read that dogs may possibly be able to count. You may read the following article entitled Dogs' Intelligence On Par With Two-year-old Human, Canine Researcher Says for more information.
Dogs may respond to what they associate the word with. A dog may understand what the word “beef” is because when he was learning the word he would actually get a piece of beef when you said the word. Dogs can associate a word with a specific object or an action or event, such as going out or taking a ride in the car.
Another way that dogs seem to understand us is through our body language. Studies have shown that dogs pick up on human gestures or our tone of voice. It is not only important about what you say to your Poodle, but also how you say it that will help you to communicate. Your pet may be sensitive to your tone of voice. Dogs can usually understand whether you are speaking to them in a happy, sad or angry manner.
Dogs can be very good visual learners like when they learn commands with hand signals in training. Dogs can recognize people's facial expressions. Smiling when you are happy with your dog's training may be a positive reward for your Poodle. If your body language matches what you are trying to communicate to your Poodle it may easier for him to learn and understand.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Socializing Your New Poodle Puppy
Socialization is so important for your Poodle puppy. You will want your puppy to feel comfortable in his new world. Your goal may be to have your Poodle puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being.
It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.
A puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. The time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your Poodle puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.
Until your puppy has had all of his proper vaccinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. You may wish to consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your Poodle puppy to other animals in a safe manner.
Once you know that it is fine to socialize your puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner. Your puppy can learn to get accustomed to people who are quiet or talkative, young (active), or old (possibly more inactive).
If your Poodle puppy seems scared about a certain object or specific person it may be a good idea to introduce that object or person more slowly and you can try to associate the object or person with something positive, like a favorite treat. If your puppy is afraid of your grandfather who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your grandfather offer treats to the puppy.
You may want to get your Poodle puppy comfortable with handling, especially if they may need routine grooming in the future. You can safely and comfortably hold your cute puppy on your lap and help him practice being calm and relaxed with you. Your friends and family can help by gently handling the puppy the proper way. Positive reinforcement for your Poodle puppy may include lots of friendly praise and maybe also their favorite treats.
It may be lots of fun to safely take the puppy on short car rides, so he becomes familiar with riding in the car. This positive experience may make it easier for the both of you when you need to go for any future veterinarian office visits.
When the Poodle puppy is the appropriate age, you may decide to invite people that you already know that own pets who are friendly, healthy and vaccinated who can come over to your home for a little visit, and with your knowledge and supervision you can work on socializing your puppy.
If you happen to already have another pet in the home, you may want to make sure that you provide enough individual attention to your new puppy to help them develop their own personality.
You can also gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your Poodle puppy are the following:
Doorbell ringing
Telephone ringing
TV and radio
Any music playing
Computer noises
Video games
Vacuum cleaner
Sound from a hair dryer, blender, or fan
Noise from a washing machine or dish washer
Any noise from your childrens toys
Thunderstorms
Any noise from electric grooming tools, if your dog may need grooming in the future
After your veterinarian says it is safe for you to take the puppy out into the real world, you can safely introduce the puppy to walks in your the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your Poodle puppy.
In summary, if you are patient and consistent with socializing and training your puppy, he will likely be happier and feel comfortable throughout his life. Always remember that praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training.
You may also want to read Ask A Vet: How do I ensure my puppy bonds with me?: "By spending time with him".
It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.
A puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. The time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your Poodle puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.
Until your puppy has had all of his proper vaccinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. You may wish to consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your Poodle puppy to other animals in a safe manner.
Once you know that it is fine to socialize your puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner. Your puppy can learn to get accustomed to people who are quiet or talkative, young (active), or old (possibly more inactive).
If your Poodle puppy seems scared about a certain object or specific person it may be a good idea to introduce that object or person more slowly and you can try to associate the object or person with something positive, like a favorite treat. If your puppy is afraid of your grandfather who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your grandfather offer treats to the puppy.
You may want to get your Poodle puppy comfortable with handling, especially if they may need routine grooming in the future. You can safely and comfortably hold your cute puppy on your lap and help him practice being calm and relaxed with you. Your friends and family can help by gently handling the puppy the proper way. Positive reinforcement for your Poodle puppy may include lots of friendly praise and maybe also their favorite treats.
It may be lots of fun to safely take the puppy on short car rides, so he becomes familiar with riding in the car. This positive experience may make it easier for the both of you when you need to go for any future veterinarian office visits.
When the Poodle puppy is the appropriate age, you may decide to invite people that you already know that own pets who are friendly, healthy and vaccinated who can come over to your home for a little visit, and with your knowledge and supervision you can work on socializing your puppy.
If you happen to already have another pet in the home, you may want to make sure that you provide enough individual attention to your new puppy to help them develop their own personality.
You can also gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your Poodle puppy are the following:
Doorbell ringing
Telephone ringing
TV and radio
Any music playing
Computer noises
Video games
Vacuum cleaner
Sound from a hair dryer, blender, or fan
Noise from a washing machine or dish washer
Any noise from your childrens toys
Thunderstorms
Any noise from electric grooming tools, if your dog may need grooming in the future
After your veterinarian says it is safe for you to take the puppy out into the real world, you can safely introduce the puppy to walks in your the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your Poodle puppy.
In summary, if you are patient and consistent with socializing and training your puppy, he will likely be happier and feel comfortable throughout his life. Always remember that praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training.
You may also want to read Ask A Vet: How do I ensure my puppy bonds with me?: "By spending time with him".
Monday, March 15, 2010
Standard Poodles, Miniature Poodles and Toy Poodles
There are Standard Poodles, Miniature Poodles and also Toy Poodles. Poodles are known to be very intelligent dogs. They usually enjoy being around people. Maybe you are thinking about getting a nice Poodle puppy for a family pet. The poodle has a number of characteristics that gives it a positive reputation as a very good pet. Poodles are usually loyal, loving and happy companions.
We had a beautiful Miniature Poodle for many years and she had a very pleasant personality. If you would like to learn more about the Poodle breed in general, you may wish to read About Poodles | DailyPuppy.com for some more information.
We had a beautiful Miniature Poodle for many years and she had a very pleasant personality. If you would like to learn more about the Poodle breed in general, you may wish to read About Poodles | DailyPuppy.com for some more information.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Canine Good Citizen Program
The Canine Good Citizen program is an American Kennel Club program to recognize dogs who demonstrate good behavior at home and in public. The Canine Good Citizen program is based on a test administered by certified evaluators. Basic obedience training may help your Poodle prepare for the Canine Good Citizen test. It is helpful if your Poodle is well socialized.
Dogs who pass the test may receive a Canine Good Citizen certificate recorded with the American Kennel Club (AKC). You may check the American Kennel Club website to find an evaluator or an upcoming test near your area.
A few things that are evaluated during the test are appearance and grooming, accepting a friendly stranger and some commands, such as sit, down, stay and come. You can read the following article to learn more about the 10-part Canine Good Citizen test: Who’s A Canine Good Citizen?
Dogs who pass the test may receive a Canine Good Citizen certificate recorded with the American Kennel Club (AKC). You may check the American Kennel Club website to find an evaluator or an upcoming test near your area.
A few things that are evaluated during the test are appearance and grooming, accepting a friendly stranger and some commands, such as sit, down, stay and come. You can read the following article to learn more about the 10-part Canine Good Citizen test: Who’s A Canine Good Citizen?
The Poodle Puppy's Stage of Development at Sixteen to Twenty-Four Weeks (4 – 6 months) of Age
Your Poodle puppy may be more independent and may want to test you or his environment a little more. You may need some patience and be consistent and keep up your training lessons during this developmental stage. Your Poodle puppy may be slightly more brave with his efforts. It is helpful for you to guide and encourage your puppy along.
The Poodle Puppy's Stage of Development at Twelve to Sixteen Weeks (3 – 4 months) of Age
Your Poodle puppy may be at the developmental stage where he is very curious about his new environment. It is so important to puppy proof your house. You may want to read my recent blog post about puppy proofing your house.
At this age, your Poodle puppy may be very dependent on you and may want to be right with you the majority of the time. You can help build your puppy's confidence and be a good leader by beginning to teach him a few basic commands, such as sit, stay and come. You will want to incorporate housetraining for your puppy.
Your Poodle puppy may be in a very good developmental stage to hopefully learn things quickly. You can establish a nice emotional bond with your Poodle puppy. He will learn to feel safe, secure and confident in his new home.
At this age, your Poodle puppy may be very dependent on you and may want to be right with you the majority of the time. You can help build your puppy's confidence and be a good leader by beginning to teach him a few basic commands, such as sit, stay and come. You will want to incorporate housetraining for your puppy.
Your Poodle puppy may be in a very good developmental stage to hopefully learn things quickly. You can establish a nice emotional bond with your Poodle puppy. He will learn to feel safe, secure and confident in his new home.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
The Poodle Puppy's Stage of Development at Eight to Twelve Weeks (2 – 3 months) of Age
Poodles, like most puppies have different needs during certain stages of development in their lives. During the first eight to twelve weeks of their lives, Poodle puppies have a great need for their mom and litter family. It is such an important time in the puppy's development because the mom will teach the puppy a great deal during these first weeks. The puppies are usually with their mom for a minimum of eight to ten weeks to ensure proper nourishment and socialization with the family litter.
At eight weeks of age, the Poodle puppies may be somewhat well socialized with each other. The Poodle puppies probably will have met some people other than the breeder. They will begin to develop their individual personalities.
One of your goals may be to have your puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. Socialization is so important for your puppy. You will want them to feel comfortable in their new world.
It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your Poodle puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.
A Poodle puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. The time before the Poodle puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.
At eight weeks of age, the Poodle puppies may be somewhat well socialized with each other. The Poodle puppies probably will have met some people other than the breeder. They will begin to develop their individual personalities.
One of your goals may be to have your puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. Socialization is so important for your puppy. You will want them to feel comfortable in their new world.
It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your Poodle puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.
A Poodle puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. The time before the Poodle puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.
Puppy Proofing Your Home for Your New Poodle
Puppies are usually very curious and they may have lots of energy. When someone first brings a new puppy home the puppy may want to start checking out many things throughout the house. You will be interested in puppy proofing your home to keep your Poodle puppy safe. You will want to make sure there is nothing within his reach that could harm him.
You can consult your veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. There are so many great ideas to help keep a new puppy healthy and safe and protect him from anything that would be potentially harmful.
I will write down a few tips that I read about relating to puppy proofing the inside of the home. It may be helpful to try to think about a puppy's view of a house from what he can see at his eye level.
You may want to keep all breakable items out of your puppy's reach.
Plants: Some specific plants inside and outside of the house may be potentially harmful to the puppy. Consult your veterinarian for a complete list of plants that are dangerous or toxic to dogs.
Medications can be kept in a very safe area where the puppy definitely does not have access.
Cleaning supplies can be kept in high cabinets where the puppy definitely does not have access or childproof safety latches may be used to safely secure cabinets.
Household wastebaskets may be placed in an area that the puppy cannot access.
Electrical cords: I read that people who are trying to puppy proof their house can unplug, remove or safely cover any electrical cords that would be around the puppy's area. Electrical outlets may also be covered when they are not in use.
Bathroom: Toilet lids can be kept down. Bathroom trash cans may be put up high where the puppy cannot access them.
Any possible drawstrings or cords used for draperies or blinds in the home may be tied up high enough so the puppy cannot access them.
Precaution may be taken regarding a rocking chair or chair recliner. A puppy could happen to have his tail near that area or even try to crawl under the area. Take proper safety precautions.
Laundry baskets and clothing can be kept off the floor and out of reach from the puppy.
Small objects can be kept out of reach so the puppy does not have access. Some examples of small objects are the following:
Many childrens toys have small pieces and parts
Crayons, pens, pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, tacks, staples
Jewelry, hair barrettes
String, ribbons, yarn
Buttons, sewing needles, pins
Coins
Safe gates made for dogs may be used across stairs and other areas where the puppy isn't allowed.
There are certain human foods that can cause problems for pets. Consult your veterinarian for the specific list of human foods that can cause problems or be potentially harmful to your puppy.
It is also very important to make sure the outside of your home is safe. Hopefully, you can puppy proof your backyard before your puppy goes outside. You will want to be with your Poodle puppy when he is outside, so you can supervise him.
If you have any fencing in your yard, you can check to make sure there are no holes through which your puppy could squeeze through and sneak out of the yard. Check to see if all of the gates are securely closed and that your Poodle puppy would not be able to crawl underneath the gate.
Some plants and trees outside may be toxic to dogs. Many bulb plants can also be poisonous. Some mulch can be toxic to dogs. Again, you can ask the veterinarian for a complete list of plants and trees that are dangerous or toxic to dogs. You will want to keep your Poodle puppy off of freshly treated lawns.
Keep all gasoline, auto supplies, insecticides, fertilizers for your lawn, oil, or any paint in securely closed containers out of reach from your puppy. Also, keep antifreeze out of reach from your puppy.
Swimming pools or hot tubs should be properly covered or fenced off.
For a safety measure, keep your Poodle puppy away from any barbecue grills during outdoor cooking.
Garbage should be kept in closed containers that have secure lids.
It is so important to keep your puppy healthy and safe.
You can consult your veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. There are so many great ideas to help keep a new puppy healthy and safe and protect him from anything that would be potentially harmful.
I will write down a few tips that I read about relating to puppy proofing the inside of the home. It may be helpful to try to think about a puppy's view of a house from what he can see at his eye level.
You may want to keep all breakable items out of your puppy's reach.
Plants: Some specific plants inside and outside of the house may be potentially harmful to the puppy. Consult your veterinarian for a complete list of plants that are dangerous or toxic to dogs.
Medications can be kept in a very safe area where the puppy definitely does not have access.
Cleaning supplies can be kept in high cabinets where the puppy definitely does not have access or childproof safety latches may be used to safely secure cabinets.
Household wastebaskets may be placed in an area that the puppy cannot access.
Electrical cords: I read that people who are trying to puppy proof their house can unplug, remove or safely cover any electrical cords that would be around the puppy's area. Electrical outlets may also be covered when they are not in use.
Bathroom: Toilet lids can be kept down. Bathroom trash cans may be put up high where the puppy cannot access them.
Any possible drawstrings or cords used for draperies or blinds in the home may be tied up high enough so the puppy cannot access them.
Precaution may be taken regarding a rocking chair or chair recliner. A puppy could happen to have his tail near that area or even try to crawl under the area. Take proper safety precautions.
Laundry baskets and clothing can be kept off the floor and out of reach from the puppy.
Small objects can be kept out of reach so the puppy does not have access. Some examples of small objects are the following:
Many childrens toys have small pieces and parts
Crayons, pens, pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, tacks, staples
Jewelry, hair barrettes
String, ribbons, yarn
Buttons, sewing needles, pins
Coins
Safe gates made for dogs may be used across stairs and other areas where the puppy isn't allowed.
There are certain human foods that can cause problems for pets. Consult your veterinarian for the specific list of human foods that can cause problems or be potentially harmful to your puppy.
It is also very important to make sure the outside of your home is safe. Hopefully, you can puppy proof your backyard before your puppy goes outside. You will want to be with your Poodle puppy when he is outside, so you can supervise him.
If you have any fencing in your yard, you can check to make sure there are no holes through which your puppy could squeeze through and sneak out of the yard. Check to see if all of the gates are securely closed and that your Poodle puppy would not be able to crawl underneath the gate.
Some plants and trees outside may be toxic to dogs. Many bulb plants can also be poisonous. Some mulch can be toxic to dogs. Again, you can ask the veterinarian for a complete list of plants and trees that are dangerous or toxic to dogs. You will want to keep your Poodle puppy off of freshly treated lawns.
Keep all gasoline, auto supplies, insecticides, fertilizers for your lawn, oil, or any paint in securely closed containers out of reach from your puppy. Also, keep antifreeze out of reach from your puppy.
Swimming pools or hot tubs should be properly covered or fenced off.
For a safety measure, keep your Poodle puppy away from any barbecue grills during outdoor cooking.
Garbage should be kept in closed containers that have secure lids.
It is so important to keep your puppy healthy and safe.
Crate Training Your New Poodle Puppy
You may have just brought your adorable, new puppy home. This is an exciting time for you and your family. As a new responsible dog owner you probably did some research to pick the perfect breed that will easily fit into your lifestyle. Maybe you chose a friendly Poodle dog. Or possibly you and your family decided on a beautiful Golden Retriever, or maybe a lively Papillon or even a Yorkshire Terrier. There are so many nice breeds to choose from when deciding to buy a dog. Whatever breed of dog you chose, you more than likely bought most of your puppy supplies already and did more research to decide on a specific veterinarian for your new puppy.
I bet you had some fun coming up with a cute name for your new puppy, such as Snoopy, Princess, or Snowflake. You may now be in the process of reading informative books about puppy care and dog training. There are many excellent articles and even several videos about caring for your new puppy or adult dog, relating to nutrition, health, safety, grooming and training for your dog.
As a good dog owner, you probably already made the inside and outside of your home puppy proof. You have recently tried to make everything extremely safe for your new puppy and now you have realized that even if you are home the majority of the time, you may not be able to watch over your puppy every single minute of the day. If you happen to be able to work from home, or you are a stay-at-home mom, or maybe you are retired, you will probably still need to go out of the house routinely for some errands or appointments. After reading some of your books on puppy care, you may have gotten some ideas about using a safe dog crate or dog pen for your puppy while you temporarily need to leave the home for an hour or two while doing your errands, like grocery shopping, picking up the kids from school, or going to doctor's appointments.
But, if your circumstances are different and you routinely have to be out of the house for several hours at a time, you may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter, or take your dog to a doggie daycare facility. The idea behind using a dog crate is to be able to use it for a few hours at a time. For example, I recently read that puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time.
Your new puppy is probably a lively, little puppy that you will want to keep safe, healthy and happy. Dog crates have some effective use in dog care and training. A safe and appropriate dog crate can be used when you are not available to watch over your puppy for a short time. A dog crate can be like an indoor dog den for your dog. It can be your dog's quiet, safe place for him to go if he wants to relax and curl up and take a nice nap.
Dog crates are often used for housetraining purposes. The idea behind using the crate method is based on the theory that dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep or eat. Poodles are very intelligent dogs, but you may need to be patient and consistent when you are housetraining them. Crate training can sometimes take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age and temperament. The crate should always be associated with something pleasant and positive. A crate should never be used for punishment. If your puppy definitely does not like the dog crate at all after you have tried your best, you may wish to try a dog pen, which is somewhat bigger than a crate.
The dog crate used for your Poodle puppy should be big enough for your puppy to be able to easily stand up and lie down and get comfortable. Dog crates and dog pens come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply stores or pet supply catalogs. You may decide to place a safe, comfortable, washable dog blanket in the crate. Your Poodle may appreciate the cozy warmth of the blanket. You may wish to take your puppy's collar off while he is in the crate for safety reasons. It is helpful for your puppy if you keep the crate in the room where you are going to be in so that your puppy will still have your company and not be lonely, if at all possible. Your puppy will hopefully learn to think of his crate as his very own special place, almost like his own doghouse or den to go where he can rest and enjoy some quiet time.
A nice feature is that the crate is very portable. You can help to make the time that your Poodle puppy spends in his crate enjoyable. You can easily take it from room to room with you. Puppies need love and attention from their owner, so it may be a good idea not to leave your puppy inside the crate for longer than one hour at a time during the day, if possible. It is very important that at night you can have the crate near your bed where your puppy can definitely see you and let you know when he may need to go outside to go to the bathroom.
Puppies may need to go to the bathroom every two to three hours or more during the day when they are young. The time span will increase as your Poodle puppy gets a little older. Puppies will usually be ready to go to the bathroom when they first wake up in the morning, after eating and drinking and also after playing.
You may feed your puppy inside the crate at times, or offer your puppy his favorite treats or safe toy inside the crate, so he gets the idea that it can be enjoyable to be in his crate. When he is done eating, carry your puppy outside close to the area where you want him to go to the bathroom. Try to use the same approximate area every time, so your Poodle puppy gets into a familiar routine. After your puppy goes to the bathroom outside you may want to praise him for doing good. Then, when you go back inside you may want to offer him a treat, while having him walk back into his crate.
It is important to establish a daily time schedule for your puppy to eat his meals and also his routine schedule to go outside. After your puppy is housetrained, he may voluntarily use his crate to sleep in at night or to take some naps in during the day.
If you plan on using the crate for when you leave the house for short periods of time to do errands, a good tip is to make your departures in a calm manner. You can praise your Poodle by giving him a treat for entering the crate, and then leave the house quietly. Crates can provide a sense of comfort and security. Your Poodle may think of his comfortable crate as his special cozy den.
You can also read Crate Training : The Humane Society of the United States for more information and a video on this subject.
Here are some examples of dog crates, dog pens and a crate training book below.
I bet you had some fun coming up with a cute name for your new puppy, such as Snoopy, Princess, or Snowflake. You may now be in the process of reading informative books about puppy care and dog training. There are many excellent articles and even several videos about caring for your new puppy or adult dog, relating to nutrition, health, safety, grooming and training for your dog.
As a good dog owner, you probably already made the inside and outside of your home puppy proof. You have recently tried to make everything extremely safe for your new puppy and now you have realized that even if you are home the majority of the time, you may not be able to watch over your puppy every single minute of the day. If you happen to be able to work from home, or you are a stay-at-home mom, or maybe you are retired, you will probably still need to go out of the house routinely for some errands or appointments. After reading some of your books on puppy care, you may have gotten some ideas about using a safe dog crate or dog pen for your puppy while you temporarily need to leave the home for an hour or two while doing your errands, like grocery shopping, picking up the kids from school, or going to doctor's appointments.
But, if your circumstances are different and you routinely have to be out of the house for several hours at a time, you may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter, or take your dog to a doggie daycare facility. The idea behind using a dog crate is to be able to use it for a few hours at a time. For example, I recently read that puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time.
Your new puppy is probably a lively, little puppy that you will want to keep safe, healthy and happy. Dog crates have some effective use in dog care and training. A safe and appropriate dog crate can be used when you are not available to watch over your puppy for a short time. A dog crate can be like an indoor dog den for your dog. It can be your dog's quiet, safe place for him to go if he wants to relax and curl up and take a nice nap.
Dog crates are often used for housetraining purposes. The idea behind using the crate method is based on the theory that dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep or eat. Poodles are very intelligent dogs, but you may need to be patient and consistent when you are housetraining them. Crate training can sometimes take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age and temperament. The crate should always be associated with something pleasant and positive. A crate should never be used for punishment. If your puppy definitely does not like the dog crate at all after you have tried your best, you may wish to try a dog pen, which is somewhat bigger than a crate.
The dog crate used for your Poodle puppy should be big enough for your puppy to be able to easily stand up and lie down and get comfortable. Dog crates and dog pens come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply stores or pet supply catalogs. You may decide to place a safe, comfortable, washable dog blanket in the crate. Your Poodle may appreciate the cozy warmth of the blanket. You may wish to take your puppy's collar off while he is in the crate for safety reasons. It is helpful for your puppy if you keep the crate in the room where you are going to be in so that your puppy will still have your company and not be lonely, if at all possible. Your puppy will hopefully learn to think of his crate as his very own special place, almost like his own doghouse or den to go where he can rest and enjoy some quiet time.
A nice feature is that the crate is very portable. You can help to make the time that your Poodle puppy spends in his crate enjoyable. You can easily take it from room to room with you. Puppies need love and attention from their owner, so it may be a good idea not to leave your puppy inside the crate for longer than one hour at a time during the day, if possible. It is very important that at night you can have the crate near your bed where your puppy can definitely see you and let you know when he may need to go outside to go to the bathroom.
Puppies may need to go to the bathroom every two to three hours or more during the day when they are young. The time span will increase as your Poodle puppy gets a little older. Puppies will usually be ready to go to the bathroom when they first wake up in the morning, after eating and drinking and also after playing.
You may feed your puppy inside the crate at times, or offer your puppy his favorite treats or safe toy inside the crate, so he gets the idea that it can be enjoyable to be in his crate. When he is done eating, carry your puppy outside close to the area where you want him to go to the bathroom. Try to use the same approximate area every time, so your Poodle puppy gets into a familiar routine. After your puppy goes to the bathroom outside you may want to praise him for doing good. Then, when you go back inside you may want to offer him a treat, while having him walk back into his crate.
It is important to establish a daily time schedule for your puppy to eat his meals and also his routine schedule to go outside. After your puppy is housetrained, he may voluntarily use his crate to sleep in at night or to take some naps in during the day.
If you plan on using the crate for when you leave the house for short periods of time to do errands, a good tip is to make your departures in a calm manner. You can praise your Poodle by giving him a treat for entering the crate, and then leave the house quietly. Crates can provide a sense of comfort and security. Your Poodle may think of his comfortable crate as his special cozy den.
You can also read Crate Training : The Humane Society of the United States for more information and a video on this subject.
Here are some examples of dog crates, dog pens and a crate training book below.
Your Poodle Puppy's First Day and Night in His New Home!
It is such an exciting time for you and your family when you bring your new puppy home for the very first time. You need to remember it is probably the first time your Poodle puppy is separated from his mom, the litter family and the breeder and you don't want to overwhelm him. I can just imagine all of the important puppy supplies you now have in your home, such as a feeding dish, maybe a new dog bed and blanket, collar and leash, appropriate puppy food and treats. You must have already picked out an adorable name for your new puppy.
You may want to keep your puppy happy and relaxed when he comes home for the first time. Talking in a calm manner to your Poodle puppy and handling him gently may help him get comfortable with his new family. Your Poodle puppy may want to explore some of his new home, with your supervision. Your Poodle will most certainly appreciate all the human attention that he will get from you and your family. You may want to get down on your puppy's level and let him sniff your hands so he can get familiar with you. You may want to pet him gently. This may be comforting to your Poodle puppy and you can start to form an emotional bond. Each person in the family may spend some time with the puppy, so he becomes familiar with them. Your puppy's socialization may have started with the breeder, but now it is your job to continue it.
What a busy day your puppy may have experienced! Maybe, your Poodle puppy had his very first car ride home. Possibly, he has even been to the veterinarians for a check-up or vaccinations. He probably had a good chance to meet all of the family members and explore his new house with them. Your Poodle puppy may have eaten his first meal in his new home already and checked out his backyard with you.
Your Poodle puppy is probably tired and getting ready for some sleep. This may be his first night that he will be without his mom and litter family. He could be a little apprehensive and lonely. You can be reassuring and comforting to your new Poodle puppy.
It may be time to show your puppy where he will sleep. It is important to set a good habit for bedtime in your home so that you and your puppy will both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep.
You may wish to have your puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a safe, cozy dog bed for your Poodle puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise.
Your Poodle puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm. It is common for most puppies in a new home environment to feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your Poodle puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home.
Your puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of security. If you want your Poodle puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if your Poodle puppy leaves his bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.
When your Poodle puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.
So your Poodle puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate exercise for your puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for your Poodle puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. Your puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm your puppy down and relax him at night.
A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If your Poodle puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get adequate sleep every night and be happy!
It might take at least two weeks or more for your Poodle puppy to get accustomed to his new home environment. With lots of love and positive attention he will soon learn that his new home is a very safe place. You are his leader and his provider of food, water, shelter and security and your puppy will want to stay close to you!
You may want to keep your puppy happy and relaxed when he comes home for the first time. Talking in a calm manner to your Poodle puppy and handling him gently may help him get comfortable with his new family. Your Poodle puppy may want to explore some of his new home, with your supervision. Your Poodle will most certainly appreciate all the human attention that he will get from you and your family. You may want to get down on your puppy's level and let him sniff your hands so he can get familiar with you. You may want to pet him gently. This may be comforting to your Poodle puppy and you can start to form an emotional bond. Each person in the family may spend some time with the puppy, so he becomes familiar with them. Your puppy's socialization may have started with the breeder, but now it is your job to continue it.
What a busy day your puppy may have experienced! Maybe, your Poodle puppy had his very first car ride home. Possibly, he has even been to the veterinarians for a check-up or vaccinations. He probably had a good chance to meet all of the family members and explore his new house with them. Your Poodle puppy may have eaten his first meal in his new home already and checked out his backyard with you.
Your Poodle puppy is probably tired and getting ready for some sleep. This may be his first night that he will be without his mom and litter family. He could be a little apprehensive and lonely. You can be reassuring and comforting to your new Poodle puppy.
It may be time to show your puppy where he will sleep. It is important to set a good habit for bedtime in your home so that you and your puppy will both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep.
You may wish to have your puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a safe, cozy dog bed for your Poodle puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise.
Your Poodle puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm. It is common for most puppies in a new home environment to feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your Poodle puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home.
Your puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of security. If you want your Poodle puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if your Poodle puppy leaves his bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.
When your Poodle puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.
So your Poodle puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate exercise for your puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for your Poodle puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. Your puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm your puppy down and relax him at night.
A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If your Poodle puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get adequate sleep every night and be happy!
It might take at least two weeks or more for your Poodle puppy to get accustomed to his new home environment. With lots of love and positive attention he will soon learn that his new home is a very safe place. You are his leader and his provider of food, water, shelter and security and your puppy will want to stay close to you!
Benefits of Owning a Dog
Our pets can influence how we feel about ourselves in a positive way. There are so may wonderful emotional benefits of owning a dog. The bond that forms between a new puppy and their owner may develop quickly. Your new Poodle puppy may look and act so cute. As the time goes by, all the experiences that you share with your dog, both happy and sad help to strengthen the emotional bond.
When your puppy is about one year old or more, each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Poodle. Sometimes, children even turn to their pet for comfort if a family member leaves the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort if they have a pet.
People that happen to live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they choose to have a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help to make them feel they are needed. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Poodle can be a very nice companion.
Dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. Sometimes when we feel sad or stressed spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat can hopefully brighten our day.
Our daily lives may be full of so many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Often times, our Poodle may do some cute funny things, which may help us to relax and laugh. When we come home from a frustrating work day it can be so nice to be greeted by our family dog, with their big beautiful eyes and their tail wagging because they are so happy to see us. It is a wonderful thing that our pets can accept us just as we are and we can be ourselves when we are around them. Our pets don't care if we are disabled, old or young, rich or poor. Dogs can provide great companionship.
Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something nice to look forward to every single day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us everyday.
Your Poodle can help to keep you active by getting more exercise, like when you are taking your dog for a nice walk and getting some fresh air and sunshine or playing Frisbee outside with him. The general basics of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.
Your Poodle may view all the family members with great affection. Each family member may play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog out for his walks and plays fetch outside with him in the backyard. The woman in the house may be the one that routinely gives the dog his meals and lots of attention. If there are any children in the family they may offer the Poodle a lot of hugs and fun playtime together.
The dog appreciates the family interaction and affection and he has probably established great trust in his family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog and as time goes by you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, his strengths, weaknesses and any fears he may have at times.
The human-animal emotional bond between an owner and their dog is one of trust, affection and love. Poodles enjoy being part of the family and a loyal dog can be a best friend. If we love them, they usually show us unconditional love in return!
When your puppy is about one year old or more, each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Poodle. Sometimes, children even turn to their pet for comfort if a family member leaves the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort if they have a pet.
People that happen to live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they choose to have a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help to make them feel they are needed. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Poodle can be a very nice companion.
Dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. Sometimes when we feel sad or stressed spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat can hopefully brighten our day.
Our daily lives may be full of so many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Often times, our Poodle may do some cute funny things, which may help us to relax and laugh. When we come home from a frustrating work day it can be so nice to be greeted by our family dog, with their big beautiful eyes and their tail wagging because they are so happy to see us. It is a wonderful thing that our pets can accept us just as we are and we can be ourselves when we are around them. Our pets don't care if we are disabled, old or young, rich or poor. Dogs can provide great companionship.
Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something nice to look forward to every single day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us everyday.
Your Poodle can help to keep you active by getting more exercise, like when you are taking your dog for a nice walk and getting some fresh air and sunshine or playing Frisbee outside with him. The general basics of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.
Your Poodle may view all the family members with great affection. Each family member may play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog out for his walks and plays fetch outside with him in the backyard. The woman in the house may be the one that routinely gives the dog his meals and lots of attention. If there are any children in the family they may offer the Poodle a lot of hugs and fun playtime together.
The dog appreciates the family interaction and affection and he has probably established great trust in his family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog and as time goes by you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, his strengths, weaknesses and any fears he may have at times.
The human-animal emotional bond between an owner and their dog is one of trust, affection and love. Poodles enjoy being part of the family and a loyal dog can be a best friend. If we love them, they usually show us unconditional love in return!
Are You Thinking About Buying a Poodle Puppy from a Breeder?
There are so many important things to think about when deciding to add a new puppy to your family. You may have been doing a lot of research about the Poodle breed. Now, you might have come to the conclusion that the time is right for you to get a puppy. Where are you planning to get your new Poodle puppy? If you are thinking about buying a Poodle puppy from a breeder, you will probably want them to be a legitimate and respected breeder.
One nice place where you may find some breeders is actually at a dog show. After the breeders show their dogs sometimes they have a little time to answer some of your questions about the Poodle breed. The breeder could tell you if they currently have any puppies or upcoming Poodle litters in the near future. Good breeders are usually very knowledgeable about their dogs and they are known to breed the Poodle dogs for the actual betterment of the breed.
Some example questions that people ask the breeders:
1. If the breeder would happen to live close to you, you may decide to ask if you would be allowed to see the puppies in their home environment where they were born and are currently being raised. You would hopefully see if the mother and the litter family appear healthy.
2. How many puppies are in the litter?
3. Are the puppies up-to-date with their exams and vaccinations by the veterinarian? Which vaccinations have the puppies received and do they have any specific health certifications or documentation from the veterinarian?
4. Are there any known health problems with the puppies or in the pup's family background?
5. Are the puppies registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC)?
6. What type of food do the puppies eat and how often?
7. Did the puppies have any housetraining or crate training?
8. If at any time in the future something would happen and you were unable to keep the dog, will the breeder take the dog back?
9. Does the breeder provide any type of health guarantee?
Breeders may interview you to evaluate whether you would make a good owner for their Poodle puppies. Now, these are some example questions the breeder may ask the potential owner:
1. Do you have the necessary time that is needed to care for a Poodle each day? Will anyone routinely be at home during the daytime hours to care for the puppy?
2. Do you have children or other pets?
3. Do you have general knowledge about the Poodle breed?
4. Do you enjoy grooming or do you plan on hiring a professional on a routine basis?
5. Will you contact the breeder if something would ever happen and you would not be able to keep your Poodle?
6. Do you have a good, reputable veterinarian to continue regular health exams and future vaccinations for your new Poodle?
The breeder may keep the Poodle puppies with their mom for about 8 to 10 weeks or even 12 weeks of age to make sure the puppies get proper nourishment and socialization with the litter family.
It is important that when you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder that the proper documentation is provided to you, such as a copy of the dog's pedigree (AKC registration). Usually a certified copy of the pedigree can be obtained from the American Kennel Club.
The registration certificate is like the dog's birth certificate. The breeder should transfer this information to the new owner. The breeder should give you any documentation of the puppy's health record, including information such as the specific dates of vaccinations and also the information about when future vaccinations are due.
It may also be helpful if the breeder shares a feeding chart or schedule including information, such as how much food is being fed to the puppy and how often. Hopefully, all of this information will help you get off to a great start with taking wonderful care of your new Poodle puppy!
One nice place where you may find some breeders is actually at a dog show. After the breeders show their dogs sometimes they have a little time to answer some of your questions about the Poodle breed. The breeder could tell you if they currently have any puppies or upcoming Poodle litters in the near future. Good breeders are usually very knowledgeable about their dogs and they are known to breed the Poodle dogs for the actual betterment of the breed.
Some example questions that people ask the breeders:
1. If the breeder would happen to live close to you, you may decide to ask if you would be allowed to see the puppies in their home environment where they were born and are currently being raised. You would hopefully see if the mother and the litter family appear healthy.
2. How many puppies are in the litter?
3. Are the puppies up-to-date with their exams and vaccinations by the veterinarian? Which vaccinations have the puppies received and do they have any specific health certifications or documentation from the veterinarian?
4. Are there any known health problems with the puppies or in the pup's family background?
5. Are the puppies registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC)?
6. What type of food do the puppies eat and how often?
7. Did the puppies have any housetraining or crate training?
8. If at any time in the future something would happen and you were unable to keep the dog, will the breeder take the dog back?
9. Does the breeder provide any type of health guarantee?
Breeders may interview you to evaluate whether you would make a good owner for their Poodle puppies. Now, these are some example questions the breeder may ask the potential owner:
1. Do you have the necessary time that is needed to care for a Poodle each day? Will anyone routinely be at home during the daytime hours to care for the puppy?
2. Do you have children or other pets?
3. Do you have general knowledge about the Poodle breed?
4. Do you enjoy grooming or do you plan on hiring a professional on a routine basis?
5. Will you contact the breeder if something would ever happen and you would not be able to keep your Poodle?
6. Do you have a good, reputable veterinarian to continue regular health exams and future vaccinations for your new Poodle?
The breeder may keep the Poodle puppies with their mom for about 8 to 10 weeks or even 12 weeks of age to make sure the puppies get proper nourishment and socialization with the litter family.
It is important that when you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder that the proper documentation is provided to you, such as a copy of the dog's pedigree (AKC registration). Usually a certified copy of the pedigree can be obtained from the American Kennel Club.
The registration certificate is like the dog's birth certificate. The breeder should transfer this information to the new owner. The breeder should give you any documentation of the puppy's health record, including information such as the specific dates of vaccinations and also the information about when future vaccinations are due.
It may also be helpful if the breeder shares a feeding chart or schedule including information, such as how much food is being fed to the puppy and how often. Hopefully, all of this information will help you get off to a great start with taking wonderful care of your new Poodle puppy!
A Healthy Poodle Puppy
When you are choosing a new Poodle puppy you may be thinking about some very important things that you might want to check for in your new puppy, such as the following few examples that I have listed for you below:
A Poodle puppy that has a normal, active energy level, not a lethargic appearance.
A Poodle puppy that has bright, clear eyes (not running eyes or running, crusted nose).
A puppy that has a shiny, healthy looking coat (clean and soft) as compared to a dull coat.
A Poodle puppy that shows a happy expression and appropriate actions (not shy, fearful or nasty).
A puppy that has pink, healthy looking gums and clean white teeth.
A Poodle puppy that might be pleasantly plump, but not fat (not one that looks sick or in poor condition or undernourished).
The inside of the puppy's ears may be pink and clean, with no discharge or strong odor.
A Poodle puppy that has a normal, active energy level, not a lethargic appearance.
A Poodle puppy that has bright, clear eyes (not running eyes or running, crusted nose).
A puppy that has a shiny, healthy looking coat (clean and soft) as compared to a dull coat.
A Poodle puppy that shows a happy expression and appropriate actions (not shy, fearful or nasty).
A puppy that has pink, healthy looking gums and clean white teeth.
A Poodle puppy that might be pleasantly plump, but not fat (not one that looks sick or in poor condition or undernourished).
The inside of the puppy's ears may be pink and clean, with no discharge or strong odor.
Adopting A Dog From a Shelter
Animal shelters can be filled with animals that may become cherished pets for my many families. Animal shelters help match the animals to new responsible owners. Most shelters have both dogs and cats, of various ages. Some of the animals in the shelters may be purebred. Maybe, you may happen to find a nice Poodle, if that is the breed you are looking for at this time. Many animals in the shelters may have good behavior and habits. Shelter animals are in need of new homes with owners that want to care for them and bring them into their family.
The staff that work in the shelters are usually very dedicated and they help find good homes for a variety of animals. There are several reasons listed below why animals may be in a shelter.
Possibly their original owners were not able or uninterested in caring for them anymore.
Their previous owner could no longer financially afford the basic maintenance required for the dog.
There may have been a change in the household: children may not have gotten along with the dog, or maybe there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a divorce, or a death or major illness in the family.
Possibly the family needed to move and they were not allowed to have a dog in their new apartment complex or townhouse due to rules and regulations.
Change in lifestyle: employment and career changes may have included more traveling away from home or a major shift change or lots of overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they just did not have the necessary time required for a dog.
Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog or experienced a major, chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their pet.
Possibly the dog had some behavioral problems.
The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.
Possibly the dog was a homeless stray dog or unfortunately he may have come from an abusive situation.
Some shelters may provide an evaluation, which includes a history of animal health and behavior at their prior home, and a veterinary exam and screening. If you get a pet from the shelter, it would be helpful if you could obtain a written copy of the evaluation and any veterinary health records to keep, if at all possible.
Before you go to the shelter or anywhere to get a dog, there are some important things to think about when deciding if you should get a dog.
1. Did you do any research on the the type of dog or breed that you would be interested in? When you see all of the animals in need of good homes at the shelter, it may seem a little overwhelming. You should decide on some characteristics you are looking for in a dog, such as the size of the dog, the temperament, age, male or female, and any grooming needs.
2. Do you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog? Do you have enough patience and motivation for training your dog and helping him get the proper exercise, healthy diet, and any necessary grooming?
3. Are you ready and committed to take care of a dog and have him with your family for many years to come?
4. If there are children in your family are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog?
5. Are you able to afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?
6. Do you have a safe and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?
7. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a new puppy or adult dog into your home to keep him comfortable, healthy and safe?
If you definitely know that you want to adopt a dog from the shelter, then here are a few things you may want to consider when choosing a dog.
The age of the puppy or adult dog.
Does the dog have a nice temperament?
Is the dog successfully house trained?
Has the dog been spayed or neutered?
Does the dog have any pre-existing or ongoing health problems?
Is the dog up-to-date with his vaccinations?
Does the dog get along well with children and other dogs?
Does the dog have any pre-existing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness?
How much prior training did the dog have in their previous home?
Does the dog look properly nourished?
Next, I will list a few steps that may be part of the adoption process.
Filling out an application
Choosing your pet
Signing a contract (the adoption contract may possibly have provisions such as the following: you will provide good housing, nutrition and health care for your new pet, and also you will return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer take care of him.)
Paying a fee (generally less expensive than buying a pet from a breeder or pet store)
It can be a very rewarding experience to adopt a dog from a shelter. People are so glad they could save a life of an animal by providing them a good, safe home with lots of love. Remember that animals in shelters have had some stress. They may deeply miss their owner who had to give them up and their previous home environment. They more than likely will welcome your patience, affection, guidance and love. Hopefully, you will choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. And maybe you could even find a nice Poodle in the shelter.
If you are bringing a new dog home you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your dog in his new home. For example, your dog will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new dog.
Feeding and Water dishes
Appropriate dog food and treats
Dog brushes and combs
Appropriate dog collar and leashes
Possibly a dog pen
Safe dog toys
Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket
Dog shampoo
Dog nametag or ID
If your dog is quiet and shy, just allow for some extra time for him to adjust to his new life. If you take good care of him and show him positive attention and love, he will probably be very devoted to you forever!
The staff that work in the shelters are usually very dedicated and they help find good homes for a variety of animals. There are several reasons listed below why animals may be in a shelter.
Possibly their original owners were not able or uninterested in caring for them anymore.
Their previous owner could no longer financially afford the basic maintenance required for the dog.
There may have been a change in the household: children may not have gotten along with the dog, or maybe there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a divorce, or a death or major illness in the family.
Possibly the family needed to move and they were not allowed to have a dog in their new apartment complex or townhouse due to rules and regulations.
Change in lifestyle: employment and career changes may have included more traveling away from home or a major shift change or lots of overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they just did not have the necessary time required for a dog.
Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog or experienced a major, chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their pet.
Possibly the dog had some behavioral problems.
The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.
Possibly the dog was a homeless stray dog or unfortunately he may have come from an abusive situation.
Some shelters may provide an evaluation, which includes a history of animal health and behavior at their prior home, and a veterinary exam and screening. If you get a pet from the shelter, it would be helpful if you could obtain a written copy of the evaluation and any veterinary health records to keep, if at all possible.
Before you go to the shelter or anywhere to get a dog, there are some important things to think about when deciding if you should get a dog.
1. Did you do any research on the the type of dog or breed that you would be interested in? When you see all of the animals in need of good homes at the shelter, it may seem a little overwhelming. You should decide on some characteristics you are looking for in a dog, such as the size of the dog, the temperament, age, male or female, and any grooming needs.
2. Do you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog? Do you have enough patience and motivation for training your dog and helping him get the proper exercise, healthy diet, and any necessary grooming?
3. Are you ready and committed to take care of a dog and have him with your family for many years to come?
4. If there are children in your family are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog?
5. Are you able to afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?
6. Do you have a safe and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?
7. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a new puppy or adult dog into your home to keep him comfortable, healthy and safe?
If you definitely know that you want to adopt a dog from the shelter, then here are a few things you may want to consider when choosing a dog.
The age of the puppy or adult dog.
Does the dog have a nice temperament?
Is the dog successfully house trained?
Has the dog been spayed or neutered?
Does the dog have any pre-existing or ongoing health problems?
Is the dog up-to-date with his vaccinations?
Does the dog get along well with children and other dogs?
Does the dog have any pre-existing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness?
How much prior training did the dog have in their previous home?
Does the dog look properly nourished?
Next, I will list a few steps that may be part of the adoption process.
Filling out an application
Choosing your pet
Signing a contract (the adoption contract may possibly have provisions such as the following: you will provide good housing, nutrition and health care for your new pet, and also you will return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer take care of him.)
Paying a fee (generally less expensive than buying a pet from a breeder or pet store)
It can be a very rewarding experience to adopt a dog from a shelter. People are so glad they could save a life of an animal by providing them a good, safe home with lots of love. Remember that animals in shelters have had some stress. They may deeply miss their owner who had to give them up and their previous home environment. They more than likely will welcome your patience, affection, guidance and love. Hopefully, you will choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. And maybe you could even find a nice Poodle in the shelter.
If you are bringing a new dog home you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your dog in his new home. For example, your dog will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new dog.
Feeding and Water dishes
Appropriate dog food and treats
Dog brushes and combs
Appropriate dog collar and leashes
Possibly a dog pen
Safe dog toys
Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket
Dog shampoo
Dog nametag or ID
If your dog is quiet and shy, just allow for some extra time for him to adjust to his new life. If you take good care of him and show him positive attention and love, he will probably be very devoted to you forever!
Are You Thinking About Getting a Poodle Puppy?
I wrote a list of some helpful things to think about when you are deciding if a Poodle is the right dog for you and your family.
1. Did you do your research on the Poodle breed? There are many informative books available and also a great deal of online information regarding the Poodle, including the characteristics of the breed and routine care.
2. Do you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog? Do you have enough patience and motivation for training your puppy, and helping him get the proper exercise, healthy diet, and necessary grooming?
3. Are you ready and committed to take of a dog and have him with your family for many years to come?
4. Are you interested in a dog that is playful, pleasant, and usually loves to be with people?
5. If there are children in your home are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a puppy?
6. Are you able to afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?
7. Did you think about a plan for maintaining your new Poodle's beautiful coat? Are you able to afford routine professional grooming or do you plan on purchasing grooming supplies and learning how to do this yourself in the proper manner?
8. Do you have a safe and comfortable place to keep your Poodle when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?
9. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a new puppy into your home to keep him comfortable, healthy and safe?
10. Do you routinely need to travel away from home for any job requirements? Do you usually take a vacation away from home once or twice a year? If you need to be away from your home for more than a few hours, what are you planning to do with your dog? Are you planning on taking him on vacation with you and your family, if possible? If you are unable to bring your dog with you during your travel time away from home, are you able and willing to make the necessary arrangements for your dog to be properly cared for during that time period. Always remember the importance of your dog's comfort, health and safety.
1. Did you do your research on the Poodle breed? There are many informative books available and also a great deal of online information regarding the Poodle, including the characteristics of the breed and routine care.
2. Do you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog? Do you have enough patience and motivation for training your puppy, and helping him get the proper exercise, healthy diet, and necessary grooming?
3. Are you ready and committed to take of a dog and have him with your family for many years to come?
4. Are you interested in a dog that is playful, pleasant, and usually loves to be with people?
5. If there are children in your home are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a puppy?
6. Are you able to afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?
7. Did you think about a plan for maintaining your new Poodle's beautiful coat? Are you able to afford routine professional grooming or do you plan on purchasing grooming supplies and learning how to do this yourself in the proper manner?
8. Do you have a safe and comfortable place to keep your Poodle when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?
9. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a new puppy into your home to keep him comfortable, healthy and safe?
10. Do you routinely need to travel away from home for any job requirements? Do you usually take a vacation away from home once or twice a year? If you need to be away from your home for more than a few hours, what are you planning to do with your dog? Are you planning on taking him on vacation with you and your family, if possible? If you are unable to bring your dog with you during your travel time away from home, are you able and willing to make the necessary arrangements for your dog to be properly cared for during that time period. Always remember the importance of your dog's comfort, health and safety.
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