Puppy Info Page
WELCOME HOME
Sophie, the "Pink Poodle", has some suggestions for you with your new Poodle puppy, to create a positive transition for you and your new addition at home.
- Basic things that you will need to have are food, treats, dishes, crate, bedding, dog gates, pin brush, slicker brush, nail clippers, gentle "oatmeal" shampoo (recommended), and toys.
- Your new Poodle puppy will probably get homesick for a night or two. Don't be surprised if your puppy whines and whimpers at bedtime or mealtime. Remember, your puppy has just been taken away from the security of it's mother and littermates.
- Provide a washable bedding with a plush toy for your new puppy to cuddle up to. A ticking clock mimics a mommy's heartbeat and may soothe a young puppy at night. Start your puppy off in its crate the first night. Remember a crate is not a jail. On the contrary, it is the safest place for a puppy. It will provide the comfort of feeling safe and secure in a "den" of its' own.
- Stainless steel or ceramic food and water dishes are best. Wash them daily.
- Proper grooming is a must. Remember, because Poodles don't shed, they require more maintenance than most other breeds. Ideally, Poodles should be bathed twice a month. Prior to shampooing brush out the coat thoroughly. To keep the coat fluffy and velvety smooth use the pin brush while blowing dry.
- Clipping should be done at a professional salon every 8 - 10 weeks. Puppies under 16 weeks old should not be exposed to a grooming shop until the immunization for parvo and distemper are finished and up to date.
- Ears need to be cleaned weekly. Gently pull the hair out of the ear canal, and swab the ear clean with an ear cleaner recommended by your vet or groomer. See the vet immediately if your puppy scratches it's ears or the ears have an odor.
- Toenails should be clipped every two weeks. Teeth should be brushed weekly.
- Poodles have an anal sac that needs to be extracted regularily. Your vet can show you how to do this, or you can ask your groomer to do it if you have your Poodle regularily groomed.
- Teach your Poodle to enjoy being groomed. Do a few brush strokes every day and reward it with treats. Whatever you do, never frighten your puppy about grooming.
- Provide plenty of toys for your puppy. Chewing is a puppies way to investigate new objects and help lose their baby teeth. Make sure your puppy has plenty of chew toys. The more the better - toys can be rotated. Put some toys away and alternate so that your Poodle puppy won't get bored with them. Give only a couple different ones each day. If a puppy has too many things to choose from it will come to believe that everything is available (shoes, furniture, remote control) for the picking!!!
- Take your new Poodle for a Well-Puppy check-up. Your veterinarian will check your puppy's ears, heart, etc. and ensure that it's immunization is up to date.
Puppy-Proofing Your Home
INQUISITIVE
Just like human babies, puppies investigate objects by touching, tasting and chewing. Poodle puppies are playful, intelligent and love to explore their surroundings. If it is attainable it will be investigated!!! That's why you have the important role of protecting your puppy from danger. You've heard that "Curiosity killed the cat". Well, it can also kill a puppy!
KEEP THESE THINGS AWAY FROM YOUR PUPPY
Plastic bags, string, ornaments, sewing supplies, twist ties, ribbon, rubber bands, paper clips, staples, erasers, game pieces, coins, household plants, razor blades, dental floss, pill bottles, medicine...and the list could go on and on.
OTHER WAYS TO KEEP YOUR PUPPY SAFE
Keep electrical wires and cords up, away and out of sight. Keep the toilet lid closed so your puppy won't jump and fall into the bowl. Keep chemicals and poisons in a closed cabinet. Cover your trashcans with lids.
Discourage Begging
Most of us have slipped a tasty table scrap to our pet. While the occasional morsel of left-over lean meat, unbuttered vegetables, or plain rice won't harm your dog, even one tiny table feeding teaches your dog to beg for food. If left unchecked, you'll quickly end up with a dog who spends every meal circling the table and relentlessly whining until food is given. While this behavior may not bother you, chances are that a few of your future dinner guests will not appreciate a tongue-wagging dog at their elbows while they try to eat their meal. However, there are ways to curb your dog's begging ways, both before it becomes a habit, and after his distasteful table dependence has begun.
The Health Dangers of Table Scraps
Despite their usually small-portion size, table scraps are a danger to your dog's health. In addition to teaching your dog to beg, human food handouts do not offer your dog the nutrition he needs and can lead to weight problems or digestive disorders. Dogs and humans have very different nutritional needs. Human food - with its rich flavors, ingredients, and spices - are empty calories which are more likely to bulk up your dog's weight than his vitamin and mineral needs. Furthermore, dogs are not accustomed to eating human food, which is why it often causes gas, bad breath, loose stools, or an upset stomach.
In fact, table scraps are more of a danger to your dog's health than they are a reward for his companionship and good behavior. Instead, choose quality nutritious treats to reward your pet. Treats are developed with your pet's nutritional needs in mind. When carefully chosen and given in moderation, they should not interfere with your pet's nutritional needs or overall health.
How to Fix Your Dog's Begging Problem
Though dog treats are the best for your pet, sometimes emotions get the best of us and human food is given to them. Oftentimes, this creates a dog who begs through every meal, whether it is fast food eaten in front of the television or a six-course meal shared with friends around the dinner table. Unfortunately, once your dog begins to beg, he will always beg unless steps are taken to curb his behavior. But teaching your dog to not table beg is not as difficult as it may seem. The key is to be consistent.
The first step is to stop feeding him table scraps, especially while you are seated at the table. You also need to inform friends and family that while they are welcome at your dinner table, your dog is not. The goal is to train your dog to take food only when it is his meal time or when you offer him treats, not when he begs for them.
Begin by having your dog sit while you prepare his food away from the dinner table. Then place his food on the floor while he sits. Only let your dog approach his food dish after you have told him it is "Okay." It may take several sessions but be patient. The key is to remain firm and acknowledge his correct behavior. Until your dog's retraining is complete you may want to also try the following steps:
- Keep your dog in another room while you eat.
- If your dog must be at your side, have him lie down at your side. If he rises, respond with a firm "No" and place him back in the proper position. Remember to praise and reward him for good behavior.
- If your dog refuses to comply with your commands, simply have him stay in another room. Do not respond to his barks. By keeping him isolated while you eat, he may eventually associate begging with being sent away.
- Feed your dog prior to your meal, or try giving your dog a toy that dispenses treats just prior to your meal. Make sure you do not give it after he starts begging, or he will perceive it as a reward.
- Be consistent. Research has shown that if you reward him even once, the bad habit will become even harder to break.