Things You'll Need
- Small dog food
- Lead
- Toys
- Poodle brush and comb
- Shower
- Towels
- Dog shampoo
- Hair dryer
- Dog clippers
- Scissors
Instructions
General Care
Feed your poodle at the same time every day. Decide whether you will feed once a day, or split feedings over two or more mealtimes. There is a wide range of commercial dog food available, which are balanced especially for small dogs, or you can make your own meals using recipes designed for dogs.
Exercise your poodle on a regular basis. This could be for walks to "dog parks" where dogs can socialize, or walks around town or through woods. Try to alternate a few different types of walks, to prevent them from becoming boring.
Toilet train your dog correctly. If you wish your dog to toilet inside, provide an area such as a litter box or dog training pads, and encourage your dog to use them until they do this naturally. If you want your dog to toilet outside, let him out regularly and praise him for toileting outside.
Provide a range of toys which will entertain your dog. This is particularly important when you are out of the house for long periods. Toys such as "Kongs," which require chewing to release a treat, can be used to stimulate your dog and prevent her from becoming bored, and possibly misbehaving.
Take your dog to the veterinarian regularly. Frequent checkups are necessary to ensure your poodle is healthy, and to check for any symptoms which could indicate disease. Poodles are susceptible to genetic diseases, such as diabetes, epilepsy and heart disorders, alongside skin conditions, digestive problems and cataracts. Your veterinarian should check for signs of these, as picked up early, many can be controlled and your poodle kept healthy.
Brush your dog regularly. Purchase a poodle brush and comb, and use them often. This will help to keep hair smooth and prevent matting, and will also get your dog used to being brushed, which makes proper grooming much easier.
Grooming
Consider whether to groom your dog yourself, or find a professional groomer. Grooming toy poodles can be difficult, depending on your dogs temperament and hair type, and the style that you want. If you do decide to find a professional, meet several groomers and ask for their experience with grooming toy poodles. Introduce your dog to the groomer, and mention your requirements and expectations. Ideally, you should visit the same groomer every 4 to 6 weeks to keep your poodles coat well groomed.
Stand your toy poodle in the shower, on top of a towel. This will prevent him from losing his grip and becoming scared.
Turn the shower on, holding the shower head away from your dog so you can check the temperature. The water should be warm, but not hot.
Spray your dog carefully, stroking him at the same time. You may need to hold his collar gently, to keep him still. Avoid spraying your dog's face, and make sure the dog's coat is saturated with water.
Apply dog shampoo, and smooth into the coat. Avoid using shampoo near the dog's face or genitals, as this can cause irritation.
Saturate the dogs coat again, to wash out the shampoo. Use your hand to ruffle the fur, ensuring the shampoo is all washed out.
Pick up your dog, and place him on another dry towel on the floor.
Dry your dog with another towel, rubbing carefully. You can use a hair dryer on a low setting if necessary.
Clip your dog's leg hair so it is around a ½ inch long. Your dog may sit still to allow you to do this, or you may find it easier to hold the dog's paw and clip down the leg.
Run the clippers over the dog's body, cutting the hair to around ½ inch again. You may find this easier with another person to help hold your dog still.
Trim the hair around the feet, face and neck down to around ¼ inch. This hair tends to become dirtier faster, so keeping it short makes coat maintenance easier.