When a puppy is brought to a new home at the age of 8 weeks old, generally it is the first two months that the pup is referred to as a 'new puppy'. This is a time of great transition and the behavior that a puppy displays at this time is not always indicative of how he will behave as an adult.
However, if a Poodle puppy is overly shy and clings to an owner, how that owner reacts can play a role in shaping the Poodle's personality.
We must remember that to a 'new' Poodle, he or her entire world has suddenly changed. Gone are the dam and the littermates and the only home that the pup knew. In the blink of an eye, the puppy is now in a new environment and needs time to adjust. Usually, one of two things will happen with a young Poodle… either he will appear to be distant and distracted, not immediately bonding with his new humans or he will act skittish, nervous and cling like a shadow.
It will be your job to teach your
Poodle puppy
about the world and that world will be as small or as large as you allow it to be. Until the Poodle has had all of his puppy shots, he should be kept out of public places. However, one way to help a puppy stop clinging is to teach him all about the house, the various places that are available to him and also the safe, outdoor area that he is brought to.
Pups should have their own gated off area and inside of this should be a quality canine bed and a fun toy collection. The entrance to this area can be kept open when you are home to watch the puppy and closed when he is home by himself and at night. In this way, he can become accustomed to his special spot and does not only associate it with a negative event such as being home alone.
Not only should a clingy puppy be encouraged to learn about his area, he should also be led to all other areas of the house that he will be allowed to visit. Young puppies often need reminding about where their food and water is… and having a second toy collection in the family room (or other room where humans gather) can be helpful.
Each day, do a tour of the house and also a tour of the yard. Once the bathroom area is visited and a dog has urinated or eliminated in the appropriate spot, he can be lead around the perimeter of the home. Several weeks of both indoor and outdoor exploring will give a Poodle a better sense of what he should consider to be his territory and once he is
house trained, he will feel more secure leaving his owners side and freely moving from room to room.
Once all puppy vaccinations are given, a Poodle can start to learn about other aspects of the world. As a Poodle matures and learns of his expanded environment, becomes attached to favorite toys, has a full day with walks,
exercise, being taken places (parks, stores, outdoor markets, to visit friends), and feels at peace in his home, he will usually outgrow clinginess and act more self-assured.