Poodle Information
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Poodle Dogs
There is SO much to be said in regard to Poodle dogs. There is much more to owning a Poodle other than providing food, shelter and grooming. This is one of the main reasons that we have created the AllPoodleInfo Book, so that you can have over 400 pages on the care of Poodle dogs...it simply does not all fit into a website. However, let’s cover the basics of the general elements regarding this.Where to begin? Let’s go over the main, important elements for your puppy or dog.
Choosing Your Puppy
Where you obtain your Poodle and which Poodle dog you choose is vital. Purchase a Poodle from the wrong breeder and you may have a lifetime of either medical issues or behavioral issues. From 2 week to at least 8 weeks, your puppy will be learning the basics of behavior from the person who is raising him or her. We highly recommended obtaining Insider’s Information, to guide you through the entire process of purchasing your Poodle.
Introduction to Home and Family
This is so important for Poodle dogs. We devote an entire chapter to this in our Book. However, let’s go over some of the most fundamental points. From the moment that you pick up your puppy, it will be in your hands as to how your new Poodle adapts to your home. This is a very scary time for a little puppy. While it is a happy time for you, an owner must remember that if not done correctly, this change in environment can cause great stress…and part of Poodle care is to eliminate any stress. Emotional strain can cause a small Poodle puppy to suddenly have hypoglycemia (a rapid drop in blood sugar levels that is fatal if not taken care of immediately). Always keep Karo syrup on hand, so that is you suspect the signs of this, you can react quickly, rubbing the Karo onto your puppy’s gums.
Setting Up Your Poodle’s Environment and Needs
Everything should be set up before hand. This includes…
Creating A Good Resting Spot
Creating a comfortable, warm area for Poodle dogs is important, to rest and sleep. Puppies sleep quite a bit, up to 18 hours per day. You will want to have a crate, however you do not want your Poodle to live their first few months inside a crate! A comfortable doggie bed with a soft blanket should be set in an area that is visited by the family, such as the kitchen or living room… but in a quiet corner. You do not want your pup to be overwhelmed by sudden noises of a loud TV, loud radio, loud talking or lots of foot traffic.
Feeding
Feeding is, of course, one of the most important elements. You can read a lot more about this in our Feeding Section…However the things to know most are that:
You must choose a very high quality diet for your Poodle to eat…However you cannot simply begin feeding them this. Part of taking care of Poodle dogs is to do a slow changeover to the new food that you choose to feed your pet. A quick change can lead to serious medical issues. This does not just mean when your Poodle is a puppy….At any time in his or her life, a change should be done slowing, over the course of a month.
Fresh water must be available at all times. It is very important that your Poodle, no matter what his or her age, knows exactly where to find their food and water. Dogs do best when having a schedule (more on this later) and it is vital that they always know where to go when hungry or thirsty.
It is recommended to free-feed for the first month or so…and then get down to a regular schedule.
Do not use colored plastic food and water bowls. These can cause staining on your Poodle’s coat! Always use stainless steel or ceramic bowls. When you have a puppy or an adult Toy Poodle, be aware of the depth of the bowls. So many times, owners do not think about this and the poor dog bangs their head on the bowl each time they go for a drink or eat their dinner.
Exercise
The happiness and proper care of Poodle dogs requires action on the side of the owners. Poodles are generally very active dogs and require proper exercise. If not, behavioral problems can arise. Aside from a walk each day (do not walk your puppy until they have had all puppy vaccinations)…Poodle dogs love lots of fun activities. This breed loves to run , jump and show off their agility capabilities. Playing catch, Frisbee or training your Poodle to jump through hoops will keep them in good health, both physically and mentally.
Veterinarians
Having a trusted veterinarian is very important and this should be taken care of before you even bring your Poodle home. You will want to choose a vet who is close, yet distance is not the most important thing…He or she must have other Poodles under their care and have good, reliable backup for when the office is closed.
Toys
Toys are not toys...the right toy is entertainment, soothing teething help and more. A cheap plastic squeaky toy will do little to help a teething puppy! An owner is encouraged to keep 2 separate toy bins. One to keep out and the other hidden away. These should be switched very month or so, to keep your dog from becoming bored. When going through the teething phase (See Teething), proper teething toys are a must.
Clothes
Some people do not understand the topic that Poodle dogs sometimes needs clothes. Clothes is a must in areas of extremes winters. You may have gotten your Poodle in a season of warm weather, but have you thought about what your Poodle is to do when there is a blizzard in the middle of winter? The absolute worst thing for dog paws is rock salt (the type of salt this is often put down to melt ice). Paws are not “indestructible” as some think. They are skin… simply skin, nonetheless it is thick skin. “Ice melt, pebbles, hot tar and other elements can cause un-needed pain for your Poodle. Doggie boots protect your dog from heat, cold, ice, chemicals and splinters. In very cold weather or in pouring rain, you will want to protect your Poodle with a warm sweater or a waterproof coat. Not necessary, but certainly a “must” for those who want to keep their Poodle as comfortable as possible and as happy as possible while providing excellent care.
Vaccinations
Yes, we have all heard stories of vaccination reactions, however human vaccinations have the possibility of reactions as well. It is vital to keep your Poodle up-to-date with vaccinations. Enough cannot be said for proper deworming, always making sure that your Poodle is protected with Heartworm medication (if only all owners understood that heartworms literally can FILL the heart, taking over completely, eating the dog away from the inside out!). Flea, mite and mosquito protection should be provided. Mites can lead to mange…a terrible condition that can be completely avoided.
Puppy and Dog Proofing
Many, many injuries (and accidentally poisonings) could be avoided if owners looked at their home from the eye level of their dog! An owner must look out for their dog when they do not know better! Dogs have been known to chew and accidentally swallow everything from gold chains to rodent poison!
The "Alpha Dog"
The environment of your home will have great impact on your Poodle’s behavior….And your behavior will have a great impact as well. While we all want to spoil our dogs, if one does not establish themselves as the “leader of the home” terrible behavior issues can occur, as the dog begins to think that they own the home! While some owners make a joke about this, saying that “their dog owns the home and just allows them to live there”..this is really not a joke. A dog is usually very confused and very stressed when here is not a clear indication of who is in charge. While there is a LOT to this topic….we can summarize this by saying that you should always be the one to do things firs, begin eating first, exit and enter the house first, etc. This helps to set the “order of the totem pole”.
Training
What can be said for Poodle care training? So much! When you properly train your dog, you make BOTH of you happy. You will not be happy being controlled and walked by your dog!....And your Poodle will not be happy if they are not pleasing you, by listening to commands and being rewarded with kind words and a small treat when doing so!
Grooming
Introduction to Home and Family
This is so important for Poodle dogs. We devote an entire chapter to this in our Book. However, let’s go over some of the most fundamental points. From the moment that you pick up your puppy, it will be in your hands as to how your new Poodle adapts to your home. This is a very scary time for a little puppy. While it is a happy time for you, an owner must remember that if not done correctly, this change in environment can cause great stress…and part of Poodle care is to eliminate any stress. Emotional strain can cause a small Poodle puppy to suddenly have hypoglycemia (a rapid drop in blood sugar levels that is fatal if not taken care of immediately). Always keep Karo syrup on hand, so that is you suspect the signs of this, you can react quickly, rubbing the Karo onto your puppy’s gums.
Setting Up Your Poodle’s Environment and Needs
Everything should be set up before hand. This includes…
- A perfect sleeping area
- The correct types of toys
- Cloths and/or booties if it is necessary due to the weather in your area
- Finding a trusted, loving veterinarian
- Making sure your Poodle has the proper vaccinations and deworming
- Providing heartworm and parasite medication
- Puppy/Dog proofing
- Providing proper exercise
- Providing a wonderful environment
- Providing proper training for: housebreaking, command training and socialization
- Understanding Grooming
Creating A Good Resting Spot
Creating a comfortable, warm area for Poodle dogs is important, to rest and sleep. Puppies sleep quite a bit, up to 18 hours per day. You will want to have a crate, however you do not want your Poodle to live their first few months inside a crate! A comfortable doggie bed with a soft blanket should be set in an area that is visited by the family, such as the kitchen or living room… but in a quiet corner. You do not want your pup to be overwhelmed by sudden noises of a loud TV, loud radio, loud talking or lots of foot traffic.
Feeding
Feeding is, of course, one of the most important elements. You can read a lot more about this in our Feeding Section…However the things to know most are that:
You must choose a very high quality diet for your Poodle to eat…However you cannot simply begin feeding them this. Part of taking care of Poodle dogs is to do a slow changeover to the new food that you choose to feed your pet. A quick change can lead to serious medical issues. This does not just mean when your Poodle is a puppy….At any time in his or her life, a change should be done slowing, over the course of a month.
Fresh water must be available at all times. It is very important that your Poodle, no matter what his or her age, knows exactly where to find their food and water. Dogs do best when having a schedule (more on this later) and it is vital that they always know where to go when hungry or thirsty.
It is recommended to free-feed for the first month or so…and then get down to a regular schedule.
Do not use colored plastic food and water bowls. These can cause staining on your Poodle’s coat! Always use stainless steel or ceramic bowls. When you have a puppy or an adult Toy Poodle, be aware of the depth of the bowls. So many times, owners do not think about this and the poor dog bangs their head on the bowl each time they go for a drink or eat their dinner.
Exercise
The happiness and proper care of Poodle dogs requires action on the side of the owners. Poodles are generally very active dogs and require proper exercise. If not, behavioral problems can arise. Aside from a walk each day (do not walk your puppy until they have had all puppy vaccinations)…Poodle dogs love lots of fun activities. This breed loves to run , jump and show off their agility capabilities. Playing catch, Frisbee or training your Poodle to jump through hoops will keep them in good health, both physically and mentally.
Veterinarians
Having a trusted veterinarian is very important and this should be taken care of before you even bring your Poodle home. You will want to choose a vet who is close, yet distance is not the most important thing…He or she must have other Poodles under their care and have good, reliable backup for when the office is closed.
Toys
Toys are not toys...the right toy is entertainment, soothing teething help and more. A cheap plastic squeaky toy will do little to help a teething puppy! An owner is encouraged to keep 2 separate toy bins. One to keep out and the other hidden away. These should be switched very month or so, to keep your dog from becoming bored. When going through the teething phase (See Teething), proper teething toys are a must.
Clothes
Some people do not understand the topic that Poodle dogs sometimes needs clothes. Clothes is a must in areas of extremes winters. You may have gotten your Poodle in a season of warm weather, but have you thought about what your Poodle is to do when there is a blizzard in the middle of winter? The absolute worst thing for dog paws is rock salt (the type of salt this is often put down to melt ice). Paws are not “indestructible” as some think. They are skin… simply skin, nonetheless it is thick skin. “Ice melt, pebbles, hot tar and other elements can cause un-needed pain for your Poodle. Doggie boots protect your dog from heat, cold, ice, chemicals and splinters. In very cold weather or in pouring rain, you will want to protect your Poodle with a warm sweater or a waterproof coat. Not necessary, but certainly a “must” for those who want to keep their Poodle as comfortable as possible and as happy as possible while providing excellent care.
Vaccinations
Yes, we have all heard stories of vaccination reactions, however human vaccinations have the possibility of reactions as well. It is vital to keep your Poodle up-to-date with vaccinations. Enough cannot be said for proper deworming, always making sure that your Poodle is protected with Heartworm medication (if only all owners understood that heartworms literally can FILL the heart, taking over completely, eating the dog away from the inside out!). Flea, mite and mosquito protection should be provided. Mites can lead to mange…a terrible condition that can be completely avoided.
Puppy and Dog Proofing
Many, many injuries (and accidentally poisonings) could be avoided if owners looked at their home from the eye level of their dog! An owner must look out for their dog when they do not know better! Dogs have been known to chew and accidentally swallow everything from gold chains to rodent poison!
The "Alpha Dog"
The environment of your home will have great impact on your Poodle’s behavior….And your behavior will have a great impact as well. While we all want to spoil our dogs, if one does not establish themselves as the “leader of the home” terrible behavior issues can occur, as the dog begins to think that they own the home! While some owners make a joke about this, saying that “their dog owns the home and just allows them to live there”..this is really not a joke. A dog is usually very confused and very stressed when here is not a clear indication of who is in charge. While there is a LOT to this topic….we can summarize this by saying that you should always be the one to do things firs, begin eating first, exit and enter the house first, etc. This helps to set the “order of the totem pole”.
Training
What can be said for Poodle care training? So much! When you properly train your dog, you make BOTH of you happy. You will not be happy being controlled and walked by your dog!....And your Poodle will not be happy if they are not pleasing you, by listening to commands and being rewarded with kind words and a small treat when doing so!
Grooming
The Poodle is one of the most demanding breeds in regards to grooming, unless you opt for the easy “puppy cut” which can be done by a professional groomer every 3 to 4 months for a relatively small fee. The AllPoodleInfo Book covers all Poodle grooming care, including shampooing, conditioning, nails, dewclaws, eyes, ears and all of the Poodle cuts. Learn to do a trim by yourself and you can don’t have to trim your wallet or pocket book.
Finding the Information About Poodle Dogs that YOU Need
As you can see, all navigation on this site is to you left, in alphabetical order. Take some time to read though the different sections to learn what is needed for excellent Poodle care.
Finding the Information About Poodle Dogs that YOU Need
As you can see, all navigation on this site is to you left, in alphabetical order. Take some time to read though the different sections to learn what is needed for excellent Poodle care.
