Poodle: Training Insights & Behavior Traits

The Standard Poodle

Often perceived as a “show dog,” elegant and groomed, poodles are considered the second most intelligent breed after border collies. Regal in stature, proud, and particularly family-friendly, you’ll often find a poodle with its head held high supported by a long, strong neck. Don’t be fooled however; poodle’s love to work and to play!

Physical Characteristics

According to the American Kennel Club, poodles come in three sizes: Toy: 10” tall, 6 – 9 pounds, Miniature: 11 – 15” tall, 15 – 17 pounds, and Standard: 15 – 22” tall, 45 – 70 pounds.

The Poodle is unique in that it has hair versus fur. Crossing a poodle with various other breeds is so popular (see doodles), because their hair is hypoallergenic, ideal for people severely allergic to dog dander. Additionally, poodle hair is odorless, so no need to worry about having a stinky dog!

Poodles coats are very curly, wiry, and dense. This dense waterproof coat keeps them protected when swimming, but it also means that it does not stop growing and will need regular clipping and grooming, if you want to keep them looking elegant (see grooming).

The traditional haircut of the Poodle had a purpose! The “lion cut” kept joints and important organs warm while these dogs often splashed around chasing waterfowl in cold water. The rest of the hair was often clipped short to prevent tangling.

Poodle coats come in a range of colors including black, tan, white, gray, silver, brown and crème. Early aristocrats used to dye the Poodle’s coat to their desired color.

Today’s Poodle has an expected lifespan of 10-15 years.

Socialization

Like any breed, the Poodle needs to be socialized with other dogs. If you have a Poodle puppy, make sure you set up playdates with other dogs you know who are well behaved. You don’t want your dog to suffer from any trauma at a young age by being introduced to an overly aggressive dog. This could lead to a fear of other dogs. Dogs learn best from other dogs but they can develop bad habits too.

Poodles can be stubborn so consistency in training is key. Although there are three sizes with many similarities, there are key differences as well. Standard poodles are the most obedient, like to have a job, and are shyer than the smaller versions. Miniature poodles are the most active of the three and are probably the best if small kids are around. Toy poodles make great lap dogs and companion dogs but can be “yappy”. Miniature and Toy Poodles are more mischievous than Standard Poodles.

Be very wary of dog parks before your Poodle is 12 months of age. Too often puppies are bullied or intimidated by older or bigger dogs. The same holds true for doggie daycare.

There is no real way to anticipate how your dog will interact with a large population of different dogs and no way to guarantee if a troublesome dog will be present at a park or daycare.

Poodles are typically very intelligent dogs, which is one reason they are cross bred with so many other breeds to make oodles of doodles. They are also energetic dogs. This combination can make them challenging dogs to live with.

Exercising their brains is a requirement for Poodles. If you don’t keep them busy, they’ll make up their own games, which can tend towards chewing and other destructive behaviors. Practicing basic obedience is certainly a good way to engage their brains. Teaching them tricks is another good tool to use.

Their intelligence makes them very trainable and they often excel in obedience school and even competitive obedience events. The combination of high energy and intelligence make them good candidates for agility competition, if that is something that appeals to you

Most poodles readily take to water. They were originally used to retrieve game from water during hunts. Their love of water and high energy can make them competitive dock divers, which is one of the relatively new sports for dogs combining chasing and jumping with swimming and retrieving all of which can come very naturally to these canine athletes.

If you have a pool and let your poodle swim, make sure you teach it where to exit the pool. Dogs naturally try to get out where they enter so teaching them to always go to the steps is vital for their safety. Watch as Marc Deppe one of our Florida trainers explains and shows the process of teaching your dog how to safely exit a pool.

Due to their intelligence and athleticism, Standard Poodles can make good service dogs, especially performing physical tasks. As with every dog there are pros and cons to their personalities and characteristics. Poodles can be independent and therefore a bit aloof so they are typically not good therapy or emotional support dogs.

Poodles are working dogs and need to be stimulated both mentally and physically and look out when they aren’t. This is often when Bark Busters Trainers are called. Our Trainers have the knowledge and experience to help you channel your Poodles’ intelligence and energy in positive ways allowing you can live together in harmony and instead conflict.

When you are choosing a Poodle puppy, there are many factors to consider, particularly when it comes to size. For instance, Standard Poodles tend to be calmer than Toy Poodles or Miniature. If you have small children, a Toy Poodle might not be the best choice as they can be hyper. The first thing you must decide is what do you want in a dog? Do you want a “show dog”?

When you get a new puppy, speak to your Bark Busters trainer about training for your dog. A show dog particularly will need training as they have to learn to behave around other dogs and people.

A show dog, one that is capable of winning ribbons, usually comes from a reputable breeder. A good place to start is the Poodle Club of America. A good breeder should provide you with the genetics of both of the parents, any health issues, vaccination schedules, worming instructions and registration with the American Kennel Club.

If you are looking for a family dog, there are many rescues and shelters that are breed specific. Having trained more than one million dogs worldwide, your Bark Busters trainer will tell you it’s a myth that shelter dogs come with more baggage!

If possible, observe the puppies in their natural environment. The puppy who sits off to the side by himself may be calm but harder to socialize. The alpha pup may push the other dogs away for food and jump on them, but can be more bull-headed and difficult to train. As you observe the different personalities and temperaments, you’ll get an idea of which puppy you want to take home

Make sure that you are ready for the grooming responsibility of a Poodle because their hair can be high maintenance. Also, poodles are not used to extreme temperatures and flourish indoors.

Here are some tips for bringing home a new puppy:

• Bring along a helper to bring your puppy home because he may find the car ride scary. Some dogs even get car sick!

• Puppies may be skittish about their environment. Don’t bombard them with new sights, sounds and people all at once when you walk in the door. After you give them time to toilet, introduce them to where they will be sleeping (either a dog bed, your bed or a crate) so they have their own place to call home.

• Dogs like repetition. Establish the best time for eating, playing and going potty outside, so your puppy will know what to expect. Your puppy may cry for the first couple of nights as he is not used to being away from his Mom and littermates.

• Keep your dog on the same food he was on. If you want to change it in the future, do so gradually.

• Your pup will appreciate social time and alone time. He may complain at first, but don’t go running every time he barks or yips – this is attention seeking behavior and can lead to separation anxiety.

• Make sure to get your puppy an identification tag in case he runs off. 

Common Illnesses and Injuries

Your Poodle’s health concerns will change over the course of their life. A puppy might be more prone to vomiting and diarrhea, a 2-year-old Poodle is more likely to develop Addison’s disease, and a senior Poodle may suffer from hip dysplasia or arthritis. Poodles also have personality and physical traits that may make them more prone to certain conditions—they’re prone to allergies, and because they’re energetic and active dogs, they can suffer from lameness and limping.

At any stage of life, here are some of the most common injuries and illnesses you should be aware of when bringing home a Doodle:

• Allergies
• Conjunctivitis
• Gastroenteritis
• Addison’s disease/hypoadrenocorticism
• Lameness and limping
• Masses
• Hip dysplasia
• Arthritis

If you are ever concerned about your dog’s health, your local veterinarian is a great resource—no matter how small the question.

Genetic Health Concerns

Like many popular breeds, the Poodle has a number of hereditary health issues, like hip dysplasia and allergies. Most reputable breeders now have their breeding stock checked and scored for these hereditary ailments by a vet. You can request proof that the puppy you are purchasing comes from parents that have been checked for these issues.

Because many other health issues are also hereditary, you should do some research on the ancestry of your puppy and any health issues of that particular breed.

Many rescue organizations also check for common-ailments before making them available for adoption.

Preparing Yourself

As a pet owner, you should expect to pay for basic veterinary care like vaccines, spay/neuter, and annual checkups. Many pet owners don’t consider the unexpected illnesses and injuries that can occur throughout a pet’s life, and they don’t prepare for them. Medical insurance can help a pet owner prepare.

The concept of medical insurance for pets is fairly straightforward—pay a monthly premium to be covered for eligible veterinary expenses. But every provider is different, offering varied coverage with different plans, pricing options and limitations. As you research, pay close attention to coverage, deductible options, and ease of use.

Poodle Grooming

One of the most challenging tasks to having a Poodle is keeping it well groomed. Because of their hair, Poodles can be high maintenance in the grooming department. They don’t shed, which is what makes them great dogs for people who have allergies. Instead their hair keeps growing and is wiry, unmanageable and dense if not cut every three to six weeks. Because of their curly hair, they are susceptible to ingrown hairs. Also, because Poodles tend to have more hair in their ears than other breeds, they need to be cleaned regularly so air flow can travel in their ear canals. Poodle hair can be easily matted so it is important to brush your Poodle’s hair twice a week.

Many poodles have fancy haircuts, but the most common cuts are the Lion Clip, the Puppy Clip, the Continental Clip and the Bikini Clip.

Poodle puppies need to start having regular dental care at two months and will have their adult teeth by 8 months. Brush your dog’s teeth with pet toothpaste because human toothpaste can upset their stomachs if swallowed. Like some other breeds, their eyes tend to weep, so wipe them daily with a warm cloth or pet wipes.