Poodle Training Tips

Poodles are a very popular choice for a family pet. They are very intelligent, easy to train and eager to learn. They are also very sensitive and react poorly to a highly emotional or stressful household. Possibly not the best choice if you have small or very active children. They are renowned for their eagerness to learn and are capable of complex and difficult tasks.

Is a Poodle for me?

Due to modern breeding techniques and the popularity of Poodles in the wider community, there is a tendency for Poodles to become neurotic. This is particularly the case if your Poodle is left by itself for extended periods of time. Poodles don't like to be bored so they will find things to do to entertain themselves while you are out! This makes them quite demanding or your time and attention. However, if you are keen to do some agility and obedience training these dogs are just the ticket. If you are willing to do the work in no time at all you will have a well behaved, well mannered and responsive dog.

Try these ideas:

• Poodles are very sensitive dogs and will react to your mood when training. If you are upset or angry, your Poodle will know. Try to keep training time a light, fun and happy experience. Your Poodle will respond well to your clam manner. If you are stressed this will worry your Poodle and is likely to cause it some anxiety. Don't do any obedience or agility training when you are feeling stressed.

• Visit Secrets to Dog Training

• Poodles don't like disharmony in their home. If there are noisy children or fighting angry parents in your Poodle's household, it will not respond well and possibly get sick itself with the strain of the tension around it. Poodles like a peaceful and calm home life.

• Take your Poodle to dog obedience and agility classes. This will help your dog to become used to other dogs and people, reducing its tendency for nervousness in unfamiliar situations. Poodles love this sort of training and have a tremendous attention span. They are well suited to learning complicated and difficult tricks and will perform these over again if they think they are pleasing you. Remember always praise your Poodle for good behavior. Your Poodle will respond eagerly to positive praise from you.

For more information on dog-training and handling behavior, as well as a plethora of how-to's for advanced training and obedience work (very handy for poodles!) we recommend you try Secrets to Dog Training: it's packed full of valuable information, straight from the mouth of an experienced dog-trainer.