By Matt LeClair
Have you been considering the thought of buying a new puppy or dog but you're just not sure where to start with all of the different things that need to done in order to make the process of buying a dog for sale go smoothly? There are a number of things you can do to help make your experience more pleasurable and worth your while including finding a trustworthy seller, making sure your home is ready for the puppy or dog, and making sure you have the proper supplies that your puppy will need.
First, before you even purchase the puppy or dog you must research your options to discover which breed of dog will be best for your family. This will depend on a number of factors like children, hobbies, and more. These factors will most likely include your dog so it's important to take them into consideration. Next, you'll want to find a trustworthy seller. There are a number of options for finding someone who has dogs for sale including the classifieds in the local paper, the phone book, or through online websites. Whatever method you choose, be sure to familiarize yourself with the buyer to make sure you know they are legit and will not pull a fast one on you buy selling you a bad puppy or dog.
Second, you'll want to make sure your home is ready for a new puppy or dog, sort of like child proofing it. Do you have a big back yard? If so, is it fenced in or does it need to be fenced in? This could be a concern if you live in a busy neighborhood or near a busy roadway where there is a lot of traffic. You want to eliminate all safety concerns before bringing your new dog home so that you don't have any trouble after the fact. It would be a good idea to check your home for safety hazards for the dog. Things like loose wiring, exposed household chemicals, or exposed sharp objects all pose a threat to your dog or puppy and should be taken care of before hand.
Finally, you'll need to get some essential supplies for your new puppy or dog before you bring them home in order to make their transition into your living environment more comfortable. You'll want to have supplies like food, a dog cage, dog bed, collar and leash, toys, bowls, and more which will all help to give your dog the care and attention that he or she needs to be happy. Many of these are necessities that you will have to purchase, some are things that are nice to have in order to keep your dog company or give him a little extra curricular activity to encourage being healthy and fit.
If you've been considering bringing home a new dog or puppy and want to make sure the process goes smoothly, just follow these few simple tips and you'll be well on your way to being a successful and happy dog owner.
Search for dogs for sale, dog supplies and more at FarmMedley.com.
Article Source: http://ArticleDirectory.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Poodle as a Therapy Dog
Dogs can be trained to provide comfort and affection to certain people in need. A therapy dog may be trained to help people in nursing homes and hospital settings and much more. They may be trained to help disabled people.
Therapy dogs should have a friendly temperament. They are usually gentle in nature, patient and confident. The Poodle may be a good dog for this type of work. The Poodle is known for it's intelligence and pleasant personality. Is your Poodle social? A therapy dog should enjoy interacting with people. Is your Poodle well-mannered and adaptable to new situations? Some things that are important for a trained therapy dog are:
Accepting a friendly stranger: the therapy dog is usually trained to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it. For example, children in particular, and also adults may enjoy safely petting the trained therapy dogs. Some therapy dogs can actually perform small tricks during their visits.
The therapy dog is often trained by it's handler to sit and stay in place and to come when called. The dog should behave politely around other dogs.
The dog may be tested around medical equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker, or other medical devices which you might normally see at a medical facility. They may check the dog's reactions to these things during training.
Trained therapy dogs are sometimes used for the following:
To help the disabled.
Trained seeing eye dogs help the semi to permanently blind person.
Some dogs are actually trained to know when a person is going to have a seizure.
Sometimes children with difficulties will relate well to a dog or cat.
Therapy dogs are sometimes used in nursing homes for the elderly.
Poodles can even become excellent "therapy" dogs because of their affectionate, gentle nature.
You may wish to read The Toy Poodle as a Therapy Dog: "Toy Poodles are especially well suited to pet therapy work. DOES YOUR POOCH HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?"
Therapy dogs should have a friendly temperament. They are usually gentle in nature, patient and confident. The Poodle may be a good dog for this type of work. The Poodle is known for it's intelligence and pleasant personality. Is your Poodle social? A therapy dog should enjoy interacting with people. Is your Poodle well-mannered and adaptable to new situations? Some things that are important for a trained therapy dog are:
Accepting a friendly stranger: the therapy dog is usually trained to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it. For example, children in particular, and also adults may enjoy safely petting the trained therapy dogs. Some therapy dogs can actually perform small tricks during their visits.
The therapy dog is often trained by it's handler to sit and stay in place and to come when called. The dog should behave politely around other dogs.
The dog may be tested around medical equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker, or other medical devices which you might normally see at a medical facility. They may check the dog's reactions to these things during training.
Trained therapy dogs are sometimes used for the following:
To help the disabled.
Trained seeing eye dogs help the semi to permanently blind person.
Some dogs are actually trained to know when a person is going to have a seizure.
Sometimes children with difficulties will relate well to a dog or cat.
Therapy dogs are sometimes used in nursing homes for the elderly.
Poodles can even become excellent "therapy" dogs because of their affectionate, gentle nature.
You may wish to read The Toy Poodle as a Therapy Dog: "Toy Poodles are especially well suited to pet therapy work. DOES YOUR POOCH HAVE WHAT IT TAKES?"
Career Options for People Who Enjoy Working With Animals
Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? You may need some professional training for certain careers in this field. I will include helpful job descriptions for several career options that would enable you to be working with dogs or other animals in general.
The first career professional that comes to my mind is the veterinarian. To become a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) you may need to complete a four-year undergraduate program and then an additional four years of veterinarian training for your career. Veterinarians may diagnose animal health problems and prescribe the proper medications for animals suffering from certain illnesses. They may provide appropriate vaccinations for the animals against diseases, such as distemper and rabies. Veterinarians may also offer some advise to pet owners about behavior and preventive care for the animals. They can usually perform diagnostic tests such as Xrays, blood work, urine tests and much more.
Next, there is the interesting career of the professional veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. These technicians may help with many duties in the veterinarian's office. To qualify as a licensed veterinary technician you may need to complete a two-year or possibly a four-year educational program. You could even search online to check for schools that train people to be veterinary assistants. If you are sincerely interested in pursuing this career, you may wish to ask a reputable veterinarian for some information about becoming a veterinary technician or an assistant. There is also the option of performing clerical work in a veterinarian's office or being a receptionist.
A pet sitter is another animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.
Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.
There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.
There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.
A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.
Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.
A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.
It must be a fun career to be a dog trainer for celebrities or who happen to be lucky enough to work with dogs that appear in movies. If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:
The first career professional that comes to my mind is the veterinarian. To become a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) you may need to complete a four-year undergraduate program and then an additional four years of veterinarian training for your career. Veterinarians may diagnose animal health problems and prescribe the proper medications for animals suffering from certain illnesses. They may provide appropriate vaccinations for the animals against diseases, such as distemper and rabies. Veterinarians may also offer some advise to pet owners about behavior and preventive care for the animals. They can usually perform diagnostic tests such as Xrays, blood work, urine tests and much more.
Next, there is the interesting career of the professional veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. These technicians may help with many duties in the veterinarian's office. To qualify as a licensed veterinary technician you may need to complete a two-year or possibly a four-year educational program. You could even search online to check for schools that train people to be veterinary assistants. If you are sincerely interested in pursuing this career, you may wish to ask a reputable veterinarian for some information about becoming a veterinary technician or an assistant. There is also the option of performing clerical work in a veterinarian's office or being a receptionist.
A pet sitter is another animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.
Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.
There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.
There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.
A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.
Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.
A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.
It must be a fun career to be a dog trainer for celebrities or who happen to be lucky enough to work with dogs that appear in movies. If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Separation Anxiety and the Poodle
Dogs of all ages can experience separation anxiety when separated from their owner. Young dogs and even older dogs that might have some hearing or sight problems may feel anxious when their owners are away from them. You may need to understand that chances are you are probably the most important thing in your dogs life. You may now begin to realize that when a dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, the dog can experience some anxiety about where their owner might be going. Your Poodle may not understand why he cannot go with you and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him.
What behavior may your dog display if he is experiencing separation anxiety?
The most common behaviors associated with separation anxiety include the following:
Barking, whining, crying or howling
Destructive chewing or digging
Inappropriate elimination (urination or defecation), even if the dog was otherwise successfully house trained
Scratching at doors or windows
Excessive licking of hair, circling the room or pacing
Loss of appetite, depression or inactivity
The dog may have an over attachment to his owner. The dog may get too dependent on their owner.
An example: Your Poodle makes a daily habit of following you from room to room whenever you are at home together. My dad used to have a very cute, long haired, male chihuahua and he would follow my dad everywhere that he would go in the house all day long. If my dad was in the kitchen cooking, or folding laundry, or watching television his chihuahua would be right with him. He would constantly be right by my dad's side almost every minute of each day, if possible. When my dad had to go out of the house to do a few errands, his chihuahua would always give him a dramatic, overwhelming greeting as soon as he would return home.
What are some other characteristics or factors regarding separation anxiety?
The behavior occurs mostly when your dog is left alone in the home and his problem behavior usually starts soon after you leave him in the house.
The behavior may occur whether your dog is left alone for just a little while or long periods of time.
Your dog may display a reaction of depression or anxiety when he realizes that you are getting ready to leave the house. Actions like picking up your car keys or purse, turning off the TV, or putting on your coat can trigger the anxiety behavior.
But it is very important to realize that any destructive type of behavior or house soiling that may possibly occur with separation anxiety are part of a dog's panic reaction. Your dog is not trying to punish you for leaving him home alone.
What are some things that can precipitate separation anxiety in your dog?
A dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone for the first time.
A dog that may have suffered a traumatic event in their mind, such as time spent away from home at a veterinary hospital, dog shelter or boarding kennel.
Anxiety may develop if there is a significant change in the family's routine or the death of a family member or other pet.
Some other situations that may precipitate anxiety for your dog are if one of your dog's favorite family members leave the home and go away to college or get married, or if your work schedule changes dramatically, or if the whole family moves to another home or a new town. Dogs are actually creatures of habit and any changes may bring about some anxiety.
Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety:
Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your dog and reassure him.
When you have to leave your Poodle in the house, you can let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.
You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your Poodle you will be coming back home.
Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.
Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.
What behavior may your dog display if he is experiencing separation anxiety?
The most common behaviors associated with separation anxiety include the following:
Barking, whining, crying or howling
Destructive chewing or digging
Inappropriate elimination (urination or defecation), even if the dog was otherwise successfully house trained
Scratching at doors or windows
Excessive licking of hair, circling the room or pacing
Loss of appetite, depression or inactivity
The dog may have an over attachment to his owner. The dog may get too dependent on their owner.
An example: Your Poodle makes a daily habit of following you from room to room whenever you are at home together. My dad used to have a very cute, long haired, male chihuahua and he would follow my dad everywhere that he would go in the house all day long. If my dad was in the kitchen cooking, or folding laundry, or watching television his chihuahua would be right with him. He would constantly be right by my dad's side almost every minute of each day, if possible. When my dad had to go out of the house to do a few errands, his chihuahua would always give him a dramatic, overwhelming greeting as soon as he would return home.
What are some other characteristics or factors regarding separation anxiety?
The behavior occurs mostly when your dog is left alone in the home and his problem behavior usually starts soon after you leave him in the house.
The behavior may occur whether your dog is left alone for just a little while or long periods of time.
Your dog may display a reaction of depression or anxiety when he realizes that you are getting ready to leave the house. Actions like picking up your car keys or purse, turning off the TV, or putting on your coat can trigger the anxiety behavior.
But it is very important to realize that any destructive type of behavior or house soiling that may possibly occur with separation anxiety are part of a dog's panic reaction. Your dog is not trying to punish you for leaving him home alone.
What are some things that can precipitate separation anxiety in your dog?
A dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone for the first time.
A dog that may have suffered a traumatic event in their mind, such as time spent away from home at a veterinary hospital, dog shelter or boarding kennel.
Anxiety may develop if there is a significant change in the family's routine or the death of a family member or other pet.
Some other situations that may precipitate anxiety for your dog are if one of your dog's favorite family members leave the home and go away to college or get married, or if your work schedule changes dramatically, or if the whole family moves to another home or a new town. Dogs are actually creatures of habit and any changes may bring about some anxiety.
Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety:
Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your dog and reassure him.
When you have to leave your Poodle in the house, you can let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.
You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your Poodle you will be coming back home.
Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.
Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Bringing Home an Older Puppy
By Jeff Van Dalsum
Most of the time, when bringing a new puppy into the family, a puppy is selected that is around 8 weeks old. As a result of this stage in his life, he is in the ideal situation to accept a new home. He will also be more open to training and conditioning which will make the bonding process easier and faster.
There are also many cases where a family chooses an older puppy over a younger one. The biggest drawback here is that the ideal training stage for the puppy has already passed. Therefore, bringing home an older puppy requires you to be more flexible and patient with your training routines.
There are many things to look into when you're thinking of getting an older puppy. When compared to younger puppies, the older ones are usually calmer and less energetic. Also, older puppy training might be a little easier since he may have already received some basic training. He might be familiar with children, people, and other pets. However, there is also just as good of a chance that he was not taught any commands or properly socialized which is why it is important to find out his background.
Be very careful with a puppy that has been abused or neglected by his previous owner. These puppies are typically harder to train and to live with as they are more prone to stress, fear, and anxiety towards people. Sometimes, they can even develop aggressive behavior. This isn't to say that all abused or neglected puppies are like this, in fact some are the nicest puppies you will ever meet, but it's important to be aware of the possibility.
Once you've chosen a puppy, make sure to bring the entire family to meet him. This is important because it will allow you to see how the puppy reacts to different people. You'll be able to find out if the puppy dislikes children, women, or other pets. Observe closely and note his overall behavior.
Also take notice to how he reacts to different circumstances. Try dropping your keys on the floor and see his reaction. A normal response would simply be to ignore the noise or to go sniff the keys out of curiosity. If he begins barking, biting, and jumping you may have some problems to deal with down the road.
If you can, ask a staff member to carry the puppy around for a few minutes. See how the puppy reacts to being picked up and carried. If you notice any hints of aggression or fear, you will need to address them through training routines in the future.
Remember, the most important aspect to bringing home an older puppy is knowledge. Ask the staff or breeder as many questions as you can in respect to training, behavior, vaccinations, health, and overall mentality. Also, make sure to investigate the reason why the previous owner left the puppy or why he has not been adopted yet. All of this information can help you better prepare for living with and training your new puppy.
Whatever puppy you decide to bring home, you should know that puppy ownership is like a journey between you, your family, and your puppy. No matter what age you bring that little guy home at, he will be a large part of your life for a long time to come. Older puppy training takes time, patience, and energy but arm yourself with knowledge and dedication and you will set yourself up for success.
Perfect Puppy Care is a website dedicated and developed by puppy care enthusiasts who have taken it as their goal to help you raise a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Van_Dalsum
Most of the time, when bringing a new puppy into the family, a puppy is selected that is around 8 weeks old. As a result of this stage in his life, he is in the ideal situation to accept a new home. He will also be more open to training and conditioning which will make the bonding process easier and faster.
There are also many cases where a family chooses an older puppy over a younger one. The biggest drawback here is that the ideal training stage for the puppy has already passed. Therefore, bringing home an older puppy requires you to be more flexible and patient with your training routines.
There are many things to look into when you're thinking of getting an older puppy. When compared to younger puppies, the older ones are usually calmer and less energetic. Also, older puppy training might be a little easier since he may have already received some basic training. He might be familiar with children, people, and other pets. However, there is also just as good of a chance that he was not taught any commands or properly socialized which is why it is important to find out his background.
Be very careful with a puppy that has been abused or neglected by his previous owner. These puppies are typically harder to train and to live with as they are more prone to stress, fear, and anxiety towards people. Sometimes, they can even develop aggressive behavior. This isn't to say that all abused or neglected puppies are like this, in fact some are the nicest puppies you will ever meet, but it's important to be aware of the possibility.
Once you've chosen a puppy, make sure to bring the entire family to meet him. This is important because it will allow you to see how the puppy reacts to different people. You'll be able to find out if the puppy dislikes children, women, or other pets. Observe closely and note his overall behavior.
Also take notice to how he reacts to different circumstances. Try dropping your keys on the floor and see his reaction. A normal response would simply be to ignore the noise or to go sniff the keys out of curiosity. If he begins barking, biting, and jumping you may have some problems to deal with down the road.
If you can, ask a staff member to carry the puppy around for a few minutes. See how the puppy reacts to being picked up and carried. If you notice any hints of aggression or fear, you will need to address them through training routines in the future.
Remember, the most important aspect to bringing home an older puppy is knowledge. Ask the staff or breeder as many questions as you can in respect to training, behavior, vaccinations, health, and overall mentality. Also, make sure to investigate the reason why the previous owner left the puppy or why he has not been adopted yet. All of this information can help you better prepare for living with and training your new puppy.
Whatever puppy you decide to bring home, you should know that puppy ownership is like a journey between you, your family, and your puppy. No matter what age you bring that little guy home at, he will be a large part of your life for a long time to come. Older puppy training takes time, patience, and energy but arm yourself with knowledge and dedication and you will set yourself up for success.
Perfect Puppy Care is a website dedicated and developed by puppy care enthusiasts who have taken it as their goal to help you raise a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Van_Dalsum
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Housetraining Your Poodle Puppy
There are some simple steps for housetraining your Poodle puppy. One of the first things you will want to teach your new puppy when you bring him home is housetraining. This is the start of your bond with you and your puppy and it is good to make it a positive, stress free experience for both of you. Housetraining your puppy requires patience, consistency and commitment. You may wish to read Housebreaking Your Dog In Four Simple StepsDog Information, Dog Behavior, Dog Diseases - I-Love-Dogs.com. It may take a few weeks to successfully housetrain your puppy. Your puppy will learn to get used to a routine schedule for eating, playing, and going outside to eliminate.
To begin the housetraining you may want to take your puppy outside at least every two hours during the day. You may take him outside after every meal or drink, or after he wakes up from a nap. Always remember to take your puppy out when he wakes up in the morning and also after playing, and before going to bed at night.
Choose an area outside and try to take your puppy close to that same spot each time, so he becomes very familiar with it. When you are going through this housetraining process, it is really helpful if you praise and reward your puppy when he eliminates outside. Praise him verbally and you may also want to give him a treat. This is a type of positive reinforcement for your Poodle puppy. He will learn that going to the bathroom outside is what is expected of him. Also, feeding your puppy at the same times each day is helpful to keep a good routine.
During the night, some puppies can sleep for several hours without having to eliminate. Your puppy may wake you up during the night. If that happens you may quietly take him out to eliminate, and then help him get back to his bed.
During the day when you are with your Poodle puppy, you can learn to watch for signs that your puppy needs to eliminate. Some signs may be restlessness, sniffing around, barking, going to the door, or trying to squat. When you see these signs you may quickly take your puppy outside to his bathroom spot. If he eliminates, you can praise him and reward him with a treat. Hopefully some of these housetraining tips are helpful!
To begin the housetraining you may want to take your puppy outside at least every two hours during the day. You may take him outside after every meal or drink, or after he wakes up from a nap. Always remember to take your puppy out when he wakes up in the morning and also after playing, and before going to bed at night.
Choose an area outside and try to take your puppy close to that same spot each time, so he becomes very familiar with it. When you are going through this housetraining process, it is really helpful if you praise and reward your puppy when he eliminates outside. Praise him verbally and you may also want to give him a treat. This is a type of positive reinforcement for your Poodle puppy. He will learn that going to the bathroom outside is what is expected of him. Also, feeding your puppy at the same times each day is helpful to keep a good routine.
During the night, some puppies can sleep for several hours without having to eliminate. Your puppy may wake you up during the night. If that happens you may quietly take him out to eliminate, and then help him get back to his bed.
During the day when you are with your Poodle puppy, you can learn to watch for signs that your puppy needs to eliminate. Some signs may be restlessness, sniffing around, barking, going to the door, or trying to squat. When you see these signs you may quickly take your puppy outside to his bathroom spot. If he eliminates, you can praise him and reward him with a treat. Hopefully some of these housetraining tips are helpful!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Quality Time with Your Poodle
It is important for your dog to trust and respect you and feel secure. A dog should feel that his new home is a safe and dependable place. Dogs enjoy spending time with their families. A dog usually appreciates an owner who will love, lead and protect them.
It is helpful if your Poodle understands the house rules. Here are some examples of some common house rules:
Being polite with people: you may want to teach the dog to sit, instead of jumping up on people when greeting them.
Discourage chewing of furniture and other items: As a new owner you may want to provide safe and appropriate chew toys and routinely spend time with your dog so he is not bored.
You may want to discourage excessive barking for attention.
Good house training habits are also very important for your Poodle.
A dog may be more calm and relaxed when he knows what is expected of him. The following factors are very important when training a dog: attention, consistency, repetition, patience, love, rewards and understanding.
Spending quality time with your dog is very important. Here are a few ideas:
You can enjoy walks together with your Poodle.
You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible.
You may want to let him sit with you while you watch TV or chat with friends on the phone.
You can provide a special place for your dog to sleep, like a nice dog bed.
Maybe you can get into the daily habit of brushing his coat, while he sits nice for you.
Dogs usually respond well to a daily routine schedule. A good schedule may help him stay relaxed and confident.
Hopefully, some of these things may help you develop a nice relationship with your Poodle. Reward your dog when he has done something right. You may want to reward him with lots of positive praise, a favorite treat, or some nice play time.
It is helpful if your Poodle understands the house rules. Here are some examples of some common house rules:
Being polite with people: you may want to teach the dog to sit, instead of jumping up on people when greeting them.
Discourage chewing of furniture and other items: As a new owner you may want to provide safe and appropriate chew toys and routinely spend time with your dog so he is not bored.
You may want to discourage excessive barking for attention.
Good house training habits are also very important for your Poodle.
A dog may be more calm and relaxed when he knows what is expected of him. The following factors are very important when training a dog: attention, consistency, repetition, patience, love, rewards and understanding.
Spending quality time with your dog is very important. Here are a few ideas:
You can enjoy walks together with your Poodle.
You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible.
You may want to let him sit with you while you watch TV or chat with friends on the phone.
You can provide a special place for your dog to sleep, like a nice dog bed.
Maybe you can get into the daily habit of brushing his coat, while he sits nice for you.
Dogs usually respond well to a daily routine schedule. A good schedule may help him stay relaxed and confident.
Hopefully, some of these things may help you develop a nice relationship with your Poodle. Reward your dog when he has done something right. You may want to reward him with lots of positive praise, a favorite treat, or some nice play time.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Finding a Reputable Veterinarian for Your New Puppy or Adult Dog
Maybe you recently adopted a new puppy or an adult dog and you need to find a veterinarian. Or possibly you just moved to a new town because you just got married or you needed to relocate for a new job. Are you looking for a good veterinarian? A new Poodle puppy will probably need a check up soon after coming into your family. It is a good idea to find a veterinarian before you bring your new puppy home. You may wish to read Searching for a veterinarian: The essential checklist: "The essential steps you should take to find the right veterinarian for your dog".
Here is a helpful list of some important things to think about when looking for a new veterinarian.
1.You may wish to contact your local Humane Society or animal shelter and ask if they can give you a list of veterinarians in your area.
2.Talk to other dog owners that happen to live in your neighborhood about their veterinarian. You can ask a friend, a dog groomer or even a pet sitter for a good recommendation.
3.The phone book is a good resource of information. You can easily search for Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals.
4.You can also do a search online for local veterinarians in your area.
5.It is important to check if the veterinarian has a membership in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
6.If you happen to be looking for a specialist, you may want to check if the vet is board certified in the specialty you are interested in for your pet's needs.
Once you have narrowed down your search for a veterinarian, there are some questions to think about at this point.
1. Do you have a flexible schedule that would allow you to go to an office appointment during the morning or afternoon hours of the day? What are the veterinarian's regular office hours? Is the office open on Saturdays or open in the evenings a few days a week? It may be very important to know if there are after-hour emergency services available.
2.Do you mind driving a little distance across town to get to a good veterinarian or would you prefer an office nearby?
3.How many veterinarians are actually in the office practice?
4.Do they routinely offer any boarding services?
5.Does the veterinarian have any areas of specialty in his practice?
6.Are services like x-rays, bloodwork or other diagnostics done in their office?
7.What is their normal procedure for scheduling appointments in advance for your pet?
8.What forms of payment are accepted and do their fees fit your financial budget at this time?
Next, you may want to schedule a visit to meet the office staff and learn about their specific policies. You can check to see if the office is clean and if the receptionists and assistants appear caring and knowledgeable. It may be helpful to know if they offer products like specialty dog food or items that are routinely used for grooming purposes, like specific dog shampoos.
Hopefully, this information will be of some help to you when you are looking for a veterinarian to take the very best care of your Poodle! You many also want to read this informative article: Choosing a Veterinarian : The Humane Society of the United States.
Here is a helpful list of some important things to think about when looking for a new veterinarian.
1.You may wish to contact your local Humane Society or animal shelter and ask if they can give you a list of veterinarians in your area.
2.Talk to other dog owners that happen to live in your neighborhood about their veterinarian. You can ask a friend, a dog groomer or even a pet sitter for a good recommendation.
3.The phone book is a good resource of information. You can easily search for Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals.
4.You can also do a search online for local veterinarians in your area.
5.It is important to check if the veterinarian has a membership in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).
6.If you happen to be looking for a specialist, you may want to check if the vet is board certified in the specialty you are interested in for your pet's needs.
Once you have narrowed down your search for a veterinarian, there are some questions to think about at this point.
1. Do you have a flexible schedule that would allow you to go to an office appointment during the morning or afternoon hours of the day? What are the veterinarian's regular office hours? Is the office open on Saturdays or open in the evenings a few days a week? It may be very important to know if there are after-hour emergency services available.
2.Do you mind driving a little distance across town to get to a good veterinarian or would you prefer an office nearby?
3.How many veterinarians are actually in the office practice?
4.Do they routinely offer any boarding services?
5.Does the veterinarian have any areas of specialty in his practice?
6.Are services like x-rays, bloodwork or other diagnostics done in their office?
7.What is their normal procedure for scheduling appointments in advance for your pet?
8.What forms of payment are accepted and do their fees fit your financial budget at this time?
Next, you may want to schedule a visit to meet the office staff and learn about their specific policies. You can check to see if the office is clean and if the receptionists and assistants appear caring and knowledgeable. It may be helpful to know if they offer products like specialty dog food or items that are routinely used for grooming purposes, like specific dog shampoos.
Hopefully, this information will be of some help to you when you are looking for a veterinarian to take the very best care of your Poodle! You many also want to read this informative article: Choosing a Veterinarian : The Humane Society of the United States.
Finding a Good Pet Sitter for Your Poodle
There may come a time for most dog owners when you need to decide exactly what to do if you have to leave your home temporarily for a few days or more and you are unable to bring your dog with you. This situation may happen due to travel requirements for your job, a planned vacation, or it may be due to medical reasons. Maybe you might have to travel out of town to see extended family and you are not able to bring your dog. As a good dog owner, I know you would want to plan for the very best care options for your puppy or adult dog. You may wish to read 6 Steps To Find The Perfect Dog SitterDog Information, Dog Behavior, Dog Diseases - I-Love-Dogs.com.
You may decide to ask your friends who have pets if they know of a very reputable pet sitter. People sometimes ask their dog groomers if they know any names of professional pet sitters. A very good idea may be to check with your veterinarian about what he would recommend for your dog. Possibly your veterinarian can refer you to an excellent boarding facility for your Poodle. But, you may want to talk to him about finding a very reputable pet sitter. You will want to find a pet sitter that you can feel comfortable with and you will want them to be very honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general.
Before you contact a pet sitter, you may want to carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that you would like the sitter to fulfill while you are away. This is an ideal time to write down any important information about your pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by your veterinarian for your dog or special diet). You should write down your veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. You will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where you can be reached. You will be able to give the pet sitter your helpful list and discuss these essential things during your first meeting.
Then, if the pet sitter has some questions, he/she will have a good opportunity to ask you in person. You will want to talk about what specific food to feed your dog and how often to feed your dog. You may want to explain where you routinely walk your dog and how often your dog needs to be walked. It may be helpful for your Poodle to have an up-to-date ID tag.
At the appropriate time during your interview meeting you can introduce your dog to the pet sitter and see how well they interact together. The pet sitter may ask you if your dog's vaccinations are up-to-date and how your Poodle behaves when he is out walking around other animals and people.
It can be somewhat stressful for you and your dog, if you are leaving your Poodle for any reason at all. You will probably feel more reassured knowing that you have found a wonderful pet sitter whom you feel that you can trust. You will want to know that your dog will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while you are away.
You may decide to ask your friends who have pets if they know of a very reputable pet sitter. People sometimes ask their dog groomers if they know any names of professional pet sitters. A very good idea may be to check with your veterinarian about what he would recommend for your dog. Possibly your veterinarian can refer you to an excellent boarding facility for your Poodle. But, you may want to talk to him about finding a very reputable pet sitter. You will want to find a pet sitter that you can feel comfortable with and you will want them to be very honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general.
Before you contact a pet sitter, you may want to carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that you would like the sitter to fulfill while you are away. This is an ideal time to write down any important information about your pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by your veterinarian for your dog or special diet). You should write down your veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. You will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where you can be reached. You will be able to give the pet sitter your helpful list and discuss these essential things during your first meeting.
Then, if the pet sitter has some questions, he/she will have a good opportunity to ask you in person. You will want to talk about what specific food to feed your dog and how often to feed your dog. You may want to explain where you routinely walk your dog and how often your dog needs to be walked. It may be helpful for your Poodle to have an up-to-date ID tag.
At the appropriate time during your interview meeting you can introduce your dog to the pet sitter and see how well they interact together. The pet sitter may ask you if your dog's vaccinations are up-to-date and how your Poodle behaves when he is out walking around other animals and people.
It can be somewhat stressful for you and your dog, if you are leaving your Poodle for any reason at all. You will probably feel more reassured knowing that you have found a wonderful pet sitter whom you feel that you can trust. You will want to know that your dog will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while you are away.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Helping A Poodle Stay Calm and Relaxed When Going to the Veterinarian
The Poodle’s visits to the vet can be calm and pleasant. There are some helpful ideas to make the experience a positive one. Taking your dog to the vet isn’t always the easiest thing to do. A little planning ahead can help to make the trip much easier. You may want to have your dog go to the bathroom before getting into the car to go to the vet's office. (Some offices have a place outside the building where you can take the dog if he needs to go to the bathroom.)
You may wish to bring a favorite dog toy or the dog's favorite blanket for him to have in the car when you are riding to the vet's office. Having something familiar may help to relax him. Many people use a dog leash or dog carrier when they take their dog into the office. It is helpful to give your dog praise for his good behavior while he is in the vet's office.
If you act like you are confident and in control during the visit you will reassure your Poodle that it’s routine and fine and nothing to get worried about. Keeping your Poodle occupied will take some of the attention away from any other pets, owners, receptionists, assistants, or technicians that may be in the office area.
Occasional praise for being a well behaved dog helps to make it a positive experience. In the examining room if you have conversation with the vet or his assistants, the dog will hopefully feel calm and relaxed.
You may decide to stop by with your Poodle and make an informal visit to your vet's office at another time just to say hello or to purchase a dog supply, like dog shampoo, so that your visits can be associated with routine, positive experiences for your dog.
You may wish to bring a favorite dog toy or the dog's favorite blanket for him to have in the car when you are riding to the vet's office. Having something familiar may help to relax him. Many people use a dog leash or dog carrier when they take their dog into the office. It is helpful to give your dog praise for his good behavior while he is in the vet's office.
If you act like you are confident and in control during the visit you will reassure your Poodle that it’s routine and fine and nothing to get worried about. Keeping your Poodle occupied will take some of the attention away from any other pets, owners, receptionists, assistants, or technicians that may be in the office area.
Occasional praise for being a well behaved dog helps to make it a positive experience. In the examining room if you have conversation with the vet or his assistants, the dog will hopefully feel calm and relaxed.
You may decide to stop by with your Poodle and make an informal visit to your vet's office at another time just to say hello or to purchase a dog supply, like dog shampoo, so that your visits can be associated with routine, positive experiences for your dog.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
How to Help Your Poodle Puppy Sleep Through the Night
If you are bringing home a new Poodle puppy or a new adult dog into your family, you may need some patience and planning to come up with a daily routine for your puppy to help him sleep throughout the night, so that you will both feel rested and happy. Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep.
This may be a very exciting time if you are bringing home a new puppy or new adult dog into your family! You may have decided already on exactly what dog supplies you want to have on hand, like feeding dishes, appropriate puppy or dog food and treats, collar and leash and maybe a very nice dog bed. You may wish to read Dogs & Dog Beds. Another helpful article to read is the following: Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort. HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".
You may want to have the puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a nice, safe, cozy dog bed for the Poodle puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise that would disturb him.
The 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. Most puppies in a new home environment may 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 puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.
The Poodle puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep. If you want the 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 the 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 the 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 the Poodle puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The 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 the puppy down and relax him at night.
A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the 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. The Poodle puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!
This may be a very exciting time if you are bringing home a new puppy or new adult dog into your family! You may have decided already on exactly what dog supplies you want to have on hand, like feeding dishes, appropriate puppy or dog food and treats, collar and leash and maybe a very nice dog bed. You may wish to read Dogs & Dog Beds. Another helpful article to read is the following: Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort. HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".
You may want to have the puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a nice, safe, cozy dog bed for the Poodle puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise that would disturb him.
The 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. Most puppies in a new home environment may 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 puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.
The Poodle puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep. If you want the 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 the 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 the 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 the Poodle puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The 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 the puppy down and relax him at night.
A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the 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. The Poodle puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!
Teaching a Puppy to Sit
You probably know by now that your Poodle is a very intelligent dog. You may want to begin training your dog simple commands such as sit, stay, come and lie down. Positive reinforcement or a reward, such as nice praise or a favorite treat can be very helpful when teaching good behavior or new commands to your Poodle.
Be consistent when training your dog. Remember to keep your Poodle's attention and have some fun during training. Reward your Poodle when he demonstrates the desired behavior that you are teaching him.
You may want to watch this Video on Teaching Puppy to Sit | DailyPuppy.com, a puppy training video which shows a nice demonstration on how to teach a puppy to sit on command. The dog expert works with a Boxer puppy in the video and she shows how to reward good behavior with treats while teaching the puppy how to sit.
In general, it may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Poodle to understand what is expected of him. Hopefully, you will both enjoy your quality time together when you are teaching him new commands and having some fun together!
Be consistent when training your dog. Remember to keep your Poodle's attention and have some fun during training. Reward your Poodle when he demonstrates the desired behavior that you are teaching him.
You may want to watch this Video on Teaching Puppy to Sit | DailyPuppy.com, a puppy training video which shows a nice demonstration on how to teach a puppy to sit on command. The dog expert works with a Boxer puppy in the video and she shows how to reward good behavior with treats while teaching the puppy how to sit.
In general, it may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Poodle to understand what is expected of him. Hopefully, you will both enjoy your quality time together when you are teaching him new commands and having some fun together!
How To Help a Shy Poodle Become More Social
An important goal for an owner is to have a puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. That is why positive socialization is so important for puppies. You want them to feel comfortable in their new world.
Is your Poodle shy? One common reason that a dog may be shy is because he possibly had a lack of exposure to new people, places and things when he was at a young age. You can help your dog at any age to overcome his shyness with lots of love and patience.
Puppyhood is an important period for a 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. Shy dogs may not have experienced many positive opportunities to socialize when they were younger.
I want to mention some ideas to help puppies become well socialized and hopefully prevent them from becoming shy dogs as they mature. If you have a Poodle puppy that shows signs of being shy and he has already had all of his proper vaccinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your 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 Poodle puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner.
If your 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 husband who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your husband 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 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 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 Poodle 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 dog to help them develop their own personality.
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 the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your puppy.
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.
I will also mention a few ideas to possibly help an adult dog that seems to be shy and very dependent on his owner. Maybe your Poodle wants to be right with you the majority of the time.
You can help build your dog's confidence and be a good leader by beginning to teach him a few basic commands, such as sit, stay and come. You can give your dog lots of praise as he learns the commands. It is positive reinforcement to reward your dog with treats or verbal praise when he acts with confidence.
A dog may be more calm and relaxed when he knows what is expected of him. The following factors are very important when training a dog: attention, consistency, repetition, patience, love, rewards and understanding.
Dog obedience classes may offer an opportunity for the dog to socialize with people and other dogs in a safe, supervised setting. Some professional dog trainers specialize in helping shy dogs.
Spending quality time with your dog is very important for his mental well-being. Here are a few easy ideas:
You can enjoy walks together.
You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible.
You may want to let him sit with you while you watch TV or chat with friends on the phone.
You can provide a special place for your dog to sleep, like a nice dog bed.
Maybe you can get into the daily habit of brushing his coat, while he sits nice for you.
Dogs usually respond well to a daily routine schedule. A good schedule may help him stay relaxed and confident.
Hopefully, some of these things may help you develop a nice relationship with your dog and build his trust and confidence. Always remember to reward your dog when he has done something right. You may want to reward him with lots of positive praise, a favorite treat, or some nice play time.
Keep training periods short, upbeat and fun. Reward desirable behavior and ignore wrong behavior. Helping your dog feel a sense of accomplishment is a great confidence builder.
Is your Poodle shy? One common reason that a dog may be shy is because he possibly had a lack of exposure to new people, places and things when he was at a young age. You can help your dog at any age to overcome his shyness with lots of love and patience.
Puppyhood is an important period for a 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. Shy dogs may not have experienced many positive opportunities to socialize when they were younger.
I want to mention some ideas to help puppies become well socialized and hopefully prevent them from becoming shy dogs as they mature. If you have a Poodle puppy that shows signs of being shy and he has already had all of his proper vaccinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your 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 Poodle puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner.
If your 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 husband who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your husband 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 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 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 Poodle 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 dog to help them develop their own personality.
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 the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your puppy.
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.
I will also mention a few ideas to possibly help an adult dog that seems to be shy and very dependent on his owner. Maybe your Poodle wants to be right with you the majority of the time.
You can help build your dog's confidence and be a good leader by beginning to teach him a few basic commands, such as sit, stay and come. You can give your dog lots of praise as he learns the commands. It is positive reinforcement to reward your dog with treats or verbal praise when he acts with confidence.
A dog may be more calm and relaxed when he knows what is expected of him. The following factors are very important when training a dog: attention, consistency, repetition, patience, love, rewards and understanding.
Dog obedience classes may offer an opportunity for the dog to socialize with people and other dogs in a safe, supervised setting. Some professional dog trainers specialize in helping shy dogs.
Spending quality time with your dog is very important for his mental well-being. Here are a few easy ideas:
You can enjoy walks together.
You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible.
You may want to let him sit with you while you watch TV or chat with friends on the phone.
You can provide a special place for your dog to sleep, like a nice dog bed.
Maybe you can get into the daily habit of brushing his coat, while he sits nice for you.
Dogs usually respond well to a daily routine schedule. A good schedule may help him stay relaxed and confident.
Hopefully, some of these things may help you develop a nice relationship with your dog and build his trust and confidence. Always remember to reward your dog when he has done something right. You may want to reward him with lots of positive praise, a favorite treat, or some nice play time.
Keep training periods short, upbeat and fun. Reward desirable behavior and ignore wrong behavior. Helping your dog feel a sense of accomplishment is a great confidence builder.
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