Raising a Teacup Poodle as a Pet

Selecting a Puppy

• Purchase your teacup poodle from a reputable breeder. This will ensure that you bring home a healthy puppy, without any health issues. Question the breeder about the antecedents of the puppy and any possible genetic health issues that could arise.

Veterinary Appointment

• Schedule an appointment with a vet to ensure that your puppy has no ailments or health problems. Ensure the vet will give the dog the necessary vaccinations. Ask the vet to treat the puppy for round worms, as most toy poodles are born with them, according to LilPoodles, a website specializing in teacup poodle breeding. The vet will prescribe a de-worming medication, if necessary, after checking a stool sample.

  Arrange an annual appointment to ensure that your puppy's vaccinations are up-to-date, as well as to give your pet a general health checkup.

Crating

• Set up a crate for the puppy, so that it has a safe haven to retreat to when feeling stressed or insecure. A new teacup poodle will feel lost in a new environment, and crating will help it cope. It also helps in house-training the puppy. If you are not playing with the puppy or have to leave home, keep the puppy crated to protect it from harming itself.

  Place a dish of water close to the puppy, so that it has access to fresh drinking water at all times to prevent dehydration.

Feeding

• Feed the puppy three to five times a day, as teacup poodles are prone to hypoglycemia. This is a condition where the blood sugar drops to dangerously low levels. Keep corn syrup handy to bring the blood sugar back to normal in case of an emergency. Feed the puppy especially formulated puppy food after consulting the vet.

Nap Time

• Let the puppy play for about 15 minutes at a go, followed by around 45 minutes of rest. This will prevent hypoglycemia and will also allow the puppy to get back its energy. Encourage the puppy to sleep. As the puppy grows, it will be able to stay without food and play for longer periods.

Grooming

• Start grooming your puppy from the moment you bring it home, to get it used to the daily brushing and care. Keep the hair around its eyes trimmed to prevent the hair from entering the eyes and impairing the puppy's vision. Bathe the puppy as and when required, as bathing it too often will strip the natural oils from the skin and make it dry. Clean the puppy's ears regularly to get rid of wax buildup. Pull the hair growing in puppy's the ear canals to keep the ears dry and infection-free. Take the puppy to a professional groomer to get a poodle haircut, such as a puppy cut or a lamb cut.

Dental Hygiene

• Clean your teacup poodle's teeth every day, as this breed is prone to dental problems. Use a finger brush and dog toothpaste to clean the teeth. Be careful not to force your finger into the mouth, as these dogs have small mouths and could easily get hurt. Take the puppy to a vet once a year to have its teeth professionally cleaned, or simply to give your pet a dental checkup.

Obedience Training

• Train your puppy from the beginning in obedience. This will ensure that you have a well-trained and well-behaved pet around your home.

Supervision

• Do not leave your puppy unsupervised, as it can get into small spaces and get stuck or injure itself. Teacup poodles are active dogs and require supervision at all times for their own good.

  Do not let the puppy jump from beds or sofas, as it could easily injure itself or break bones.

Exercise

• This breed requires daily exercise, and just playing in the house will not suffice. Take the puppy on a leash for a walk, or allow it to run around in a fenced yard under supervision. Limit the exercise time to 15 minutes to prevent onset of hypoglycemia.