Struggling with walking and grooming

[Merlethecurl]

We have a nearly 5 month old standard poodle puppy and I'm hoping that one of you experienced dog training people might be able to point us in the right direction on a couple of issues we're struggling with:

Grooming- I'm trying to do this myself. Can anyone recommend good poodle clippers? The ones I have seem not to get through her hair very well. Also she won't stay still for brushing unless I have a treat in one hand and brush her with the other. She wants to bite the brush.

Walking- we finished a puppy class just before lockdown 2 and she was brilliant at sit, down etc. but didn't like the slippy floor of the place the class was held in. When out on walks she basically bounces around on the end of the lead.

Toilet training- she is perfect provided we take her out regularly (we're both at home most of the time) but never seems to actually ask to go out e.g. by standing by the back door or barking.

Has anyone got any recommendations for books, videos etc.?
We have a puppy book use positive reinforcement etc. but our puppy doesn't seem to respond in the way the ones in the book do

Any advice would be very welcome!

[PollyRoulson]

I would really not expect a 5 month old puppy to be asking to go out for a wee.

I feel it is my role to ensure they have enough opportunities to go out or a wee and I would be initiating this on a regular basis.


Re loose lead walking and a 5 month old puppy work on eye contact. If you have eye contact everything you train will be easier they can not pull on the lead if they are looking at you. Also helps with recall, distraction, and pretty much everything else that you will need to train.

This is explained in detail in easy peasy puppy squeezy a great book to help you.

We have a puppy book use positive reinforcement etc. but our puppy doesn't seem to respond in the way the ones in the book do the joys of all dogs being different

[Leonberger]

Join the dog training advice Facebook page. Lots of advice on loose lead walking.

Have you tried a lickimat for grooming? Mine will relax for ages while being brushed if they have one.

[vanillandhoney]

I have no advice about grooming as I have a short-haired, very low maintenance breed in that respect.

For the toilet training have you tried using training bells? Hang them up by the door and every time you take her to the toilet, ring the bells before opening the door. She should then learn that if she wants to go to the toilet, she needs to ring the bells.

There are lots of techniques for teaching good behaviour on a lead. One is to just stop every time she pulls or acts silly. Wait until she's calm, praise and treat, then continue. This can mean you don't get very far at all for several weeks . The other popular technique for pulling is to turn around and walk off in the opposite direction when they pull, so they learn that if they want to move forward, they need to walk nicely.

We had more success with the former but tbh mine is almost three and he still pulls on the lead though he's much better than he was. He mostly pulls at the beginning of walks and if he sees one of his doggy pals! It is something I wish we'd worked on more when he was a puppy though he is getting there!

[Funf]

Clippers
I was cheeky and asked a local groomer, She recommended Andis, not cheap!
But 15 years 3 dogs and loads of human cuts later they are still excellent.
I think we have a 1.5 mm blade and a comb set, just call and ask they will advise you.
www.groomers-online.com/professional-c1/clipping-c79/ultraedge-agcb-super-2-speed-brushless-clipper-burgundy-p10056
and
www.groomers-online.com/professional-c1/clipping-c79/andis-universal-stainless-steel-attachment-combs-set-of-8-p15833

We tried the Argos ones etc but first two dogs had wooly coats so no change, from memory it was £50 for cutting both so its a no brainer really, we have now invested in a grooming table, its much easier than the kitchen work top. Our breeder for the current dog showed us basic grooming to keep on top as she doesn't shed and she has a proper trim about twice a year. She also recommended some combs that the tines revolve on so they go through the fur easier?

[Lavenderteal271]

It all takes time. Our dog is now 14 months and so much better on his lead. It wasn't really any particular training we did (we did try the start/stop technique but he just didn't understand what was going on). He just naturally calmed down, the world got a bit less exciting to him.

The toilet training will wall into place too. Sounds like you're doing well with it for 5 months old.

[Ylvamoon]

Grooming: I second the Andis clippers.
I would also be cheeky amd take the dog to the groomer for a few cuts. Your groomer will train the dog to stand still, give paw for nail clipping and hold still for removing hair from ears!
Otherwise try and have your dog laying on the floor for brushing - works well for me & my Tibetans... they fall asleep!

[Girlintheframe]

Definitely the Andis clippers.
We initially bought a cheaper pair but they just couldn't handle the dogs coat.
Andis are pricey but over a lifetime you will save money grooming yourself.

[Merlethecurl]

Thanks for your advice- I've ordered some Andis clippers, I see what you mean about pricey though! It will be an added incentive to make sure I persevere with the clipping though.

The training bells sound amazing, that would be very impressive. I'm looking at the different versions and will also order some of those to try.

It's good to know that we're still in the early days as far as walking on the lead is concerned. I'll just have to be patient I guess- it took us 20 minutes to go to the end of our road and back yesterday as i was being completely strict about not walking unless she was behaving herself and not pulling or leaping around.

[MissShapesMissStakes]

I'd love to see a photo. I'd love a standard poodle! We have a mini now and wouldn't get anything other than a poodle again.

They are very clever (supposedly). Mine picked up toiletting with the bells really quickly. We had the ones that hang from the door handle. That way they ring every time the door is open. We didn't need to teach him how to use the bells. He worked it out himself. He is two now and still uses the bells (usually if he's spotted a squirrel or pigeon now though).

Can't help with grooming much as we keep ours short and he goes to the groomers every five weeks. I think it's important to wash, dry and brush immediately before clipping. That should help the clippers go through.

[vanillandhoney]

It's good to know that we're still in the early days as far as walking on the lead is concerned. I'll just have to be patient I guess- it took us 20 minutes to go to the end of our road and back yesterday as i was being completely strict about not walking unless she was behaving herself and not pulling or leaping around.

Yep, I remember those days well

It is boring just walking down your street over and over again but you don't do have to do it forever and it's so worth it in the end when you have a dog that walks nicely by your side!

[Nettleskeins]

My poodle mix wouldn't walk at all down the road until he twigged that at the end of the road was our little local green space/,park, where he was going to have a wonderful time sniffing around, and occasionally be let off lead for games etc. I reinforced this by driving there sometimes or even carrying him half the way. Very soon he was v g at lead walking. Pavement walking is hardwork for them compared to soft ground, so I would reinforce the "reward" at the end of the walk in some way, walk to a car parked away away, or to a place with a friendly neighbour to greet them or friendly dog they like saying hello to.