Raising a Confident Poodle

Poodles are extremely intelligent dogs, and often they prefer the company of people to that of other dogs. They are attuned to what is going on around them. If a poodle is hurt or frightened by something, the fear from that episode can last a lifetime. Steady, gentle exposure to the world around them can help poodle puppies to develop confidence rather than fear.

  1. Grooming

    • Poodles need a significant amount of grooming, and a bad experience with clippers, with a groomer or during a grooming session will be remembered. Start brushing poodle puppies as young as possible, using a soft brush that can̵7;t poke or hurt them. Poodle puppies should have their feet and heads handled often and their ear flaps lifted and rubbed gently. Puppy grooming sessions should be as gentle as possible, and groomers should be careful to avoid giving a poodle puppy razor burn.

    Discipline

    • Poodles are highly sensitive dogs, and they typically will remember both the good things and the bad things that happen to them. It is important to never hit a poodle or to yell at him. This is particularly true if the dog is young, as yelling or hitting may make him afraid of people or of certain situations for the rest of his life. Corrections should be straightforward, such as taking away an object the puppy shouldn̵7;t be chewing on and giving him one of his own toys instead.

    Obedience Training

    • A poodle that is allowed to get bored will find all kinds of ways to get into trouble. This is especially true if the dog doesn̵7;t understand what is expected of him. Obedience training that begins the day the puppy comes home is one of the best ways to build a poodle's confidence. Not only does it teach him the basics of good behavior, but it also normally involves trips to obedience class and other locations as he works on his new skills. Exposure to new surroundings is good for the dog.

    Exposure

    • Poodles that are not exposed to new people and situations, especially as puppies, may become timid and shy. In order to develop a confident puppy, take him as many places as possible and get him used to seeing new surroundings and other people. Handle the poodle a lot, and acclimate him to slightly unusual experiences such as rolling him on his back or holding him in odd positions -- but be sure the dog is well-supported so he won̵7;t be afraid of falling. This way the puppy can learn to take changes in stride and build trust and confidence. This is especially important when working with young poodle puppies.