Spending Quality Time with Your Poodle

Photo Credits: By Jules

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.

Emotional Benefits of Owning a Poodle

Photo Credit: By bitmask

Our pets can influence how we feel about ourselves in a positive manner. There are great emotional benefits of owning a dog. Your new Poodle puppy may look and act so cute.

The bond that develops between a new puppy and their owner may develop quickly. However, as time goes by, all the experiences that you share with your dog help to strengthen the emotional bond.

Each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Poodle, around the time when your puppy is about one year old or more. Sometimes, children even turn to their pets for comfort if a family member happens to leave the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort and less lonely if they have a pet. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Poodle can be a very nice companion.

People that live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they decide to select a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help make them feel they are needed.

Often times, dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. When we feel sad or stressed just spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat may brighten our day.

Our daily lives may include many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Your Poodle may happen to do some cute and funny things, which may help you to relax and laugh a little.

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 wonderful 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 and cats can provide great companionship.

Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something positive to look forward to every day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us for their lifetime.

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 fresh air and sunshine. It may be nice to play Frisbee outside with him. The responsibilities of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.

Your Poodle may have great affection for all the family members. Each family member may also play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog outside 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. Your Poodle has probably established great trust in the family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog. As time goes by, you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, such as 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!

Adopting A Dog From an Animal Shelter

Animal shelters can be filled with animals that may become cherished pets for lots of families. Animal shelters help match the animals to new responsible owners. For the most part, shelters have both dogs and cats of varied ages.

Some of the animals in the shelters could possibly be purebred. Maybe, you may even happen to find a nice Poodle, if that is the specific breed you're looking for right now. Many animals in the shelters may have good behavior and habits. Shelter animals are in need of new homes with owners that sincerely 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 many animals. There are several reasons listed below why animals could possibly be in a shelter.

Possibly their original owners were not able or uninterested in caring for them anymore.

Maybe, their previous owner could no longer financially afford the essential maintenance necessary for the dog.

There may have been a significant change in the household: children may not have gotten along with the dog, or possibly there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a divorce, or a death or major illness in the family.

The family may have 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 significant shift change or numerous overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they simply did not have the necessary time required for a dog.

Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog or experienced a chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their pet.

Possibly the dog had certain behavioral problems.

The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.

Maybe, the dog was a homeless stray dog, or unfortunately he might have come from an abusive situation.

Certain 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 acquire 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 several crucial things to consider 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 somewhat overwhelming. You should decide on the 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 daily 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, nutritious diet, and any necessary grooming?

3. Are you ready and fully committed to look after 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 know about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog?

5. Can you afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?

6. Do you have a secure and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, for example when you might be at your place of employment, or doing all of your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?

7. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a brand 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 think about when choosing a dog.

The age of the puppy or adult dog.

Does the dog have a pleasant 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.)

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 great, safe home with lots of love. Keep in mind that animals in shelters have had some stress. They might 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 matches your lifestyle. And maybe you can 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 list below includes certain items that many people may 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 may be very devoted to you forever!

Are You Thinking About Getting a Poodle?

I wrote an inventory 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 about the Poodle breed? There are many informative books available as well as 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 daily 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 appropriate exercise, healthy diet, and 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. Are you interested in a dog that is playful, pleasant, and typically loves to be with people?

5. If there are children in your house are they old enough to know 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 consider 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. Are you aware what dog or puppy supplies that you may 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 always 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 required 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.

Does Your Poodle Have The Blues When He is Home Alone or is He Bored?

You may be working hard at your daily office job and your kids are away in school all throughout the day. The house may be too quiet and your Poodle might feel lonely or bored. Your Poodle might even experience a little separation anxiety when you leave the house.

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 dog's 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 Poodle 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. If you are in the kitchen cooking, or folding laundry, or watching television your dog would want to be right with you. When you go out of the house to do a few errands, your dog may always give you a dramatic, overwhelming greeting as soon as you return home.

When you or your kids finally come home from work or school, you may also find that your Poodle has become very clingy, and he never lets you or the kids out of his sight.

What are some other characteristics or factors regarding separation anxiety?

The behavior occurs mostly when your Poodle 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 Poodle?

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 Poodle and reassure him.

When you have to leave your dog 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.

You can try to alter your daily habits a little bit. Do you have a set routine time each day before you leave the house to go to work or school? Maybe you jingle your keys, put your purse, briefcase, packed lunch or jacket near the door right before you are ready to leave the house. Your Poodle may pick up on these visual cues and associate them with your leaving the house. It may be a little helpful to try and mix up your normal routine by doing your usual activities in a different order.

It may be a big help to take your dog for a nice walk before you leave. It might give your dog a reason to look forward to your leaving. It will be good exercise for him and a little change of scenery.

Hopefully, with a few of these helpful tips, your Poodle will feel relaxed instead of anxious when you leave the house.

Adorable Poodle Video!

Cute Video of a Poodle Doing Tricks

Very Cute Video of Poodle Doing Tricks

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Can Your Poodle Understand Words?

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.

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".

A Cute Video of a Poodle Smiling

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?

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.