Dog Obedience Training Tips

Poodles have often been referred to as a yappy dog. Meaning that poodles tend to bark a lot more than other breeds. The truth is that while some poodles are indeed yappy, others are very quiet and well behaved.

Barking to Gain Attention

All dogs do some barking. They bark as a means of communication with one another and with others. They also bark as a way of getting your attention or getting something they want. If your poodle barks and you instantly bend down and pet him, talk to him, or show him any other kind of attention then you are giving him the message that when he wants something all he has to do is bark. This is the wrong message to send and will result in an excessively barking dog.

If your dog barks to get attention the best thing you can do is to simply walk away from him without even giving him a glance. Go in another room and close the door. Do not give him any attention until the barking stops. Once he stops barking then you can talk to him, pet him, and even give him a treat. Show him that if he is quiet he will get your attention but if he barks he will be ignored. If you are firm and follow through consistently it shouldn’t take too long for him to get the message.

Another method that has proved successful in keeping a dog from barking excessively is by keeping a squirt gun handy and filled with water. When your dog begins to bark, issue the order “Quiet” in a soft but firm voice while at the same time squirting him on the nose. The water will generally shock him into silence at least momentarily. Keep repeating this procedure until your poodle gets the message. Once he understands to associate the word “quiet” with the water spray, the word should be enough to gain his co operation.

The problem in most cases is that the owner wears out before the dog does. Not able to stand the dogs continual barking the owner often gives in sending the poodle the message that if he barks long and loud enough he will get what he wants. While your dogs continuous barking even for a few minutes can be nerve wracking and deafening, putting up with it for a few days while you retrain him maybe necessary.

You might want to invest in some earplugs if the racket is too disquieting. Just remember that suffering a little now will result in a quieter more obedient dog a week or two down the line.

There really is no easy way to retrain a dog that has gotten into the habit of barking. It took some time for him to acquire the habit and it will take some time for him to learn a new behavior. Staying focused and determined and following through with consistency will make the adjustment much easier and faster for both your poodle and you.

If your poodle is digging up your yard or garden you need to find out the reason for their behavior. Most dogs, and poodles are not exception, dig for one of two reasons. Either they are bored and looking for attention or something entertaining to do, or they are seeking shelter to get away from the elements or because they are frightened. While some experts suggest that you identify the reason your poodle is digging before trying to stop the behavior, some suggest an all around approach to the problem.

Eliminate discomfort and Perceived threats.

The first thing you need to do is check the area where you are keeping your poodle when he is out of doors. Is there adequate protection from sun, wind, rain, and other elements. He will need a shelter that provides coolness in the summer and warmth in the winter. Somewhere where he can stay dry and feel secure. Once you have determined that his shelter is sufficient to meet those needs then you need to check and see if there is anything in or near this area that your poodle could perceive as a threat.

This may be a bit more difficult because, things you view as non frightening may not appear so to your dog. For instance if the area he stays in while outside is close to a fence line, then the antics of the neighbors young children may seem frightening to a dog who has not had much contact with boisterous humans. Likewise, loud banging of doors by the neighbors or even other animals may cause some anxiety that your dog wishes to escape from. If there is anything that could make your dog anxious, then moving his area to somewhere more quiet and less busy may be solution.

Give your dog something to do.

Once you determine that your poodles outside area is comfortable and free from perceived threats then the next thing you need to do is make sure that your dog is not digging out of boredom or for attention. The best way to keep a dog from boredom digging is to make sure that he has enough stimulation to keep his mind occupied doing other things.

Spend at least an hour a day actively playing with your poodle. Have him chase a ball, a stick or other object. Give him the attention and the exercise he craves.

When you are not entertaining him make sure he has toys and things that will allow him to entertain himself. Puzzle toys that engage his mind in trying to figure out how to get the treat inside are good choices for exercising his mind and keeping him busy. Choosing other toys he enjoys playing with will help keep him entertained as well.

If all else fails you can either set aside a designated digging area and work on getting your poodle to only dig there, or keep him inside only allowing him out of doors when you have the time to supervise him closely.

Stopping a dog from digging, may be difficult but can be done if you exercise patience and work to meet his needs.

Dogs chew. They need to chew and your poodle is no exception. The problem you need to address is not how to get your poodle to stop chewing but how to get your pet to only chew on those toys made for that purpose.

Puppies and Teething

Puppies exhibit chewing behavior much more often than adult dogs simply because like babies they go through a teething stage. At this stage puppies will have a tendency to chew on overstuffed furniture or fingers and toes. That is because these materials ease their sore gums. Stopping them from chewing these things is a matter of substituting the forbidden things for acceptable chewing sources. A soft rubber toy that has been kept in the freezer for several minutes will bring some relief as will stuffed toys that you pick up at the salvation army for a small pittance per bag.

When your puppy starts to chew on a forbidden item telling them “No” sternly and substitute the forbidden item for an acceptable one. Using the anti chewing sprays that that are especially designed to prevent chewing in dogs can also help them to quickly learn not to chew on unacceptable items. These sprays are odorless to humans, but taste awful to dogs.

Adult Dogs

If you have an adult dog that is chewing on forbidden articles he is either doing so because he was never taught not to as a puppy or he is bored. Adult poodles are just as easy to break of annoying chewing habits as are puppies. Using the anti chewing sprays will help keep them from chewing on forbidden objects. Giving them enough chew toys to keep them busy and offer them a variety also helps.

Most experts recommend that your dogs toy chest should include at least 12 to 14 toys made of varying materials. These toys can include those hard rope chew toys, hard rubber toys, Rawhide or any number of other toys that offers your pooch a variety of playing items and will help keep him entertained.

Puzzle toys will both activate his mind and allow him to chew. These toys allow you to put a bit of peanut butter or meat paste or even a small dog bone inside and then the dog must figure out how to get the treat out. These toys will keep your poodle occupied for long periods of time and are a sure way to combat the boredom that has cause him to chew on the inappropriate items.

Whenever you catch your dog chewing on anything inappropriate tell him “No” sharply and immediately substitute the forbidden item for an acceptable one. By doing this you are teaching your dog what he can and cannot chew on.

By using a combination of authoritative voice, bad tasting sprays, and toys that occupy your poodle and prevent boredom you can lick your dogs chewing problem quickly and easily saving you aggravation and allowing your dog to live a happier, more socialized life.

A poodle is one of the most beautiful breeds of dogs there are. They are also one of the most excitable and for that reason, they can, if allowed to go untrained develop a number of anti social behaviors. One of the worst behaviors that any dog can develop is the habit of nipping or biting. If your poodle is exhibiting nipping behaviors now is the time to stop that behavior for both your dogs sake and your own.

Puppies

If your puppy is biting or nipping then the first thing to do is look at how you are playing with your puppy. Many people think it is cute to get puppies to growl and to nip, then when they get older suddenly expect them to stop. The best time to stop a poodle from biting is when it first starts. If your puppy is nipping when it gets excited during play sharply tell him “No” and immediately quit playing with him. Ignore him for several minutes, then begin playing again. Each time your puppy resorts to nipping and biting repeat your stern command and immediately ignore him. It will not take him long to get the message.

Adult Poodles

Adult poodles bite for two reasons. Either they learned to bite as a form of play as a puppy or they are anxious or afraid. If your poodle is nipping during play use the same method for training him to stop that is outlined for a puppy. It may take a bit longer for an adult poodle to catch on, but be patient and he will soon learn what is expected of him.

If your poodle tends to nip when introduced to new situations or places, chances are he was not well socialized as a pup and is frightened by these situations. The only way to correct this behavior is to begin to socialize your poodle, so that new situations are less frightening to him.

You can begin by simply taking him more places more often. At first you choose places that have few if any other people. Once he begins to become more used to new and different places the world will not seem so frightening to him.

Then slowly begin taking him to places where he will meet new people and other animals. Make sure he is on a leash and under your control. Watch for any signs that he is uncomfortable such as whining, hiding, pacing, and excess panting. If he shows any of these signs remove him from the situation immediately. Keep introducing him to the same situations over and over until he becomes comfortable.

If your poodle seems unable to overcome his fear, you might want to consider enrolling him in obedience training. When you call to enroll him make sure you explain the exact problem to the instructor and follow all his recommendation for bringing your poodle to class. Chances are, good obedience training will help to socialize your poodle and stop this dangerous behavior.

Keep in mind that your pet wants to please you, and will more often than not follow your direction if you handle his training in an authoritative manner.