Miniature Poodle Training

Miniature Poodles originated in Germany and worked as hunting dogs because of their intelligence and sharp minds. They are considered a mid-size breed, standing less than 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulders. Miniature poodles are fun-loving, sociable and eager to please. This breed of dog is one of the most intelligent in the world and is easy to train. Training your dog is an investment in your happiness as well as your dog's. There are varieties of techniques that are crucial in the overall training process.

  1. Respect Training

    • Respect is not a word commonly used in dog training, but it is a very important characteristic to establish from the start. There are several ways to tell if your dog lacks respect for you. For instance, when you give him a command, does he bark back at you? Does your dog pester you by crying for attention while you are trying to watch TV, read a book or sleep? Does your mini poodle run away from you when he does something bad? These are all signs of disrespect. You must remember that your dog is not your friend, and he should not be treated as your equal. He is an animal looking for a "leader of the pack." Your dog wants you to take charge and be the leader; in turn, you will earn his respect and obedience.

    Housebreaking

    • Housebreaking or potty training is something just about every dog owner wants to master. You want your dog to be able to walk freely around your home without leaving any messes behind for you to clean up. This process takes time and effort by both you and your mini poodle. You can learn to trust your dog to "hold it" until he is taken outside. And your dog must learn to trust you to take him outside every few hours. Establishing these patterns will result in a mini poodle that can roam freely around the house.

    Socializing

    • Socializing is just as important for miniature poodles as it is for humans. This means allowing your dog to interact with people other than yourself and your immediate family. Pay attention to how your mini poodle acts around other dogs at the park or relates to small children. Some dogs are naturally friendly, while others are naturally shy and easily intimidated. Socializing your dog should be an active effort in the early months of his life. Your puppy's early experiences in social situations may affect the way he treats people for the rest of his life.

    Leash Training

    • Leash training is a difficult task to master, but if you start this process early in your puppy's life, it should not be a problem for a mini poodle. If your dog is leash trained, he will walk beside you and not run to the end of the leash, also called heeling. He also should not pull you along as if he is walking you. A leash trained dog will walk beside you comfortably while the leash is relaxed, which will allow you and your mini poodle to enjoy walks.

    Tricks

    • After the necessity training, you can begin to have fun teaching your mini poodle tricks. Because these dogs are so smart, they can learn entertaining tricks easily. You can teach your mini poodle to sit, stay, lie down, roll over and play dead. Mini poodles can also dance or speak on command. Some other tricks to consider teaching your miniature poodle including kissing, saying "hello" and fetching. There are endless possibilities for fun tricks your dog can learn.