First time poodle advice?

[Llyn]

DP and I are thinking about getting a dog. Have done some thinking about different breeds and would like a miniature poodle. However, main research so far has come from the MN Doghouse, and watching YouTube videos about looking after/training poodles. We would be first time dog owners so want learn as much as possible before we take the plunge. Thinking about maybe in a year’s time, so plenty of time to prepare but right now I feel like we’re in the ‘don’t know what we don’t know’ phase of learning. Does anyone have any top tips/pitfalls they would be willing to share? Or reputable websites/places to go to for advice?

My neighbour has a 3/4 mini poodle (1/4) cocker spaniel, and I think they make good pets. Tbh we were planning on getting a mini poodle a couple of years ago but then decided to have children first. Advantages - intelligent, non shedding. Disadvantages, can be clingy/neurotic, can be barkers.

Could you look up a poodle group on Facebook?

I'm a member of several breed groups on there and they're fantastic - current owners are always willing to help and they'll be able to point you in the right direction for a trainer or good books :)

Teach it to accept having its teeth brushed daily from a young age, never carry it (once puppy vaccs done) and feed only dog food. Look at clicker training and enjoy making that fabulous little brain work. Those are my top tips.

Are you going to get a dog or a bitch?
I regret having mine spayed before she had a couple of seasons. The vet persuaded me but it means she hasn't matured and they are silly dogs to start with
Mine has been an easy dog. Quick to learn, very greedy so easyish to train. I wouldn't trust her with anything that she can chase. I never have her off lead with farm animals
They are companion dogs so like to be with you at all times. Build up time away from you so it gets used to it

Excellent choice!

Our almost 3 year old mini was our first dog. He's a great dog. I wouldn't have any other kind now.

As a pp said - get brushing their teeth from the start. Mine had to have his teeth scraped under anaesthetic at 2. They are prone to bad teeth unless you look after them. I didn't know that until it was too late. They're fine now. I brush them every day.

Grooming - I have mine clipped very short every 5 weeks for £35. Otherwise we don't do much at all. If you don't keep them short you will need to brush every day. So while you have a pup get them used to being groomed.

They are quite vocal. Mine has a variety of noises he makes. He thinks he can talk to us.

They can be prone to barking - luckily they are also very clever and so mine knows what we mean when we tell him to be quiet. He now only barks when he can see a cat but not get to it, or someone comes to the door (which I don't mind as my kids can be loud so it's good to have an extra sign!).

Mine is very prey driven. If it's small he will want to chase it. We have got so he is allowed in to see our guinea pigs but only with a chaperone. There's no way I'd trust him without someone there!

They LOVE their people. Mine wants to be with us all the time. So if we spend all day in the garden in summer, he just won't sleep! He's just mooching with us.

He used to be fine being left. We would leave him for up to about 2.5 hours a few times a week. He was fine. After lockdown I'm not sure he will be. He's spent every second with us for a year! Make sure you work on separation positively and build it up slowly.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Really helps build up a picture of things to consider.

villainousbroodmare - what is the reason for not carrying it after vaccines? Is it just that they would expect it and it would get annoying? Come to that, is there a reason it should be carried before vaccines?!

TwoBreakingIntoOne - whether to get a dog or bitch is one of the things I’ve been wondering actually. What made you decide to get a bitch? Are they very different?

Puppies can't be allowed to run around in heavy dog-traffic areas primarily to protect them from contracting parvovirus, a frequently fatal gastroenteritis. Once fully protected by vaccination, they can go where they like and imo that should always be on their own four feet. It's easy to scoop up a tiny dog but it does them no favours.

As pp poster says. It's important for non vaccinated puppies to be kept away from other dogs. But they still need to see and hear the sounds they will come across later. So carrying them round is a great way to do that.

My mini is up to my knee. He's not easy to scoop. But I have needed to pick him up a couple of times when he was stung on his paw on a walk; attacked by a dog and just refused to walk, or when he was a vaccinated puppy and he had done his time walking but we weren't home yet. So it's good if they don't mind it. But obviously best if they are happy to walk!

Super bright dogs they do need mental stimulation, I have a standard poodle and he is only really exhausted at the end of the day if I have done some training with him. Nothing massive, but 10 mins of clicker training.

We were open to either dog or bitch. We just picked the most friendly one
She has a best friend poodle dog. Their personalities seem very similar. Same mannerisms too

Agree with getting them used to being groomed at an early age.

Thanks everyone. You’ve given me lots to go and find out about.

I’ve joined a Facebook group like sunflowersandbuttercups suggested, and now I’m swamped with pictures of cute poodle puppies!

Is there any difference between how vocal dogs/bitches are?

@villainousbroodmare

Teach it to accept having its teeth brushed daily from a young age, never carry it (once puppy vaccs done) and feed only dog food. Look at clicker training and enjoy making that fabulous little brain work. Those are my top tips.

Hiya! :) can I ask why never carry it? Does this make them clingy? Thanks!

Find an agility club, poodles are fab at agility & it's great for using their brains & so much fun 🤩

Yes, insecure and needy. Same applies to any small breed.

I am a first time poodle owner with a seven month old mini so am in the thick of learning about them (although I did prepare nothing prepares you if you know what I mean). He is super bright so training has been a breeze so far. The down side of this is that he has needed a fair bit of attention and entertaining as a pup. This is decreasing a bit now as he's able to do longer walks and so sleeps more in the day. But he needs stimulation or will look for fun/trouble.

He's a tough little thing - loves bombing about and is definitely not a lapdog. He dances around on his hind legs, jumps incredibly high (I try not to encourage any of this to protect puppy joints) but you can see why they were circus dogs and I plan to do agility with him when he's older as I think he would love it.

They do want to be with you all the time. He sleeps well alone and I am thankful that I didn't let him sleep curled up to me all the time when a puppy. At the moment he is my shadow and wants to be with me or one of his other humans. Because of lockdown he has never been left alone and this is an issue currently - I need to try and build some of that up. But I also chose a poodle because I wanted a a small 'go anywhere' dog and have always planned to have him with me whenever it's practical.

I don't have small kids but have teens/ young adults, one of whom doesn't live at home but he adores all the family and very quickly understood who was part of it, even those he sees more rarely.

Agree with @MissShapesMissStakes they are VERY vocal. We are trying to sort barking at the moment but he has a range of noises including 'chuntering' which he does when not wholly happy about a situation or a request. It's hilarious and endlessly entertaining.

@Puppypuppypuppy Yes! I love the chuntering. Mine also has a noise like a huge contented grunt if he's sleepy and comfy, he does like a breathy 'purr' too when enjoying a tummy tickle. He barks once if he wants to come in too.

We've just taught him 'speak' which is really funny as he does a silent bark at first. It's like he's trying to do it quietly. He now knows 'touch', 'stay', 'spin'' flat', 'drop', 'speak', 'leave it', 'ball', he knows all our names and some of his toys.

All have been quick things to teach him. Most of them he's just worked out himself or my 11 year old has taught him.

Mine also dances about on his back legs a lot. And puts his front paws in a praying type position. No idea why.