CREATING HEALTHY HABITS.

This is a guide only, each dog and owner has its own ways and means of teaching, but we hope that if there is one thing to help someone here then it was worth it.

With any habit it is better to prevent than to undo, poodles learn very quick watching everything that goes on around them, START AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON.

 

BEDTIME.

Know in the beginning where you are going to want them to sleep, wether it be a crate or a specific area, up until a few years ago I myself was not a big fan of crate training, however when one of my new dogs from abroad came with one and she loved it, I have used it for all my dogs since, you must remember that a crate is a bed and also a training aid, not their very own house.

The first night, make the crate or bed area up to be nice and cosy, use the bedding that you were given with the smell of their litter mates.

To minimise upset and noise I would have them close to me for the first few nights as they acclimatise to the new environment.

Make sure your puppy has been out and toileted and had its last mad run around so that it is not wide awake, with a treat and a positive command(not to upbeat) get your puppy to follow you of its own accord to its bed, this way it will be a positive place to sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

WAKING IN THE NIGHT.

 

Puppy's will wake in the night some for just a few days others for many weeks, this is normal, listen and learn the cry, a whine, moan or winge should be ignored, mine have been know to howl and the mini’s scream, and although the pups live in my house, they still come from their siblings and up to the bedroom with myself and husband and dogs.

Your puppy may need the toilet, take them outside for a wee, do not talk to them other than the toilet command, do not start to play, place the puppy back in its bed, unwanted behaviour in the night is best ignored if you can, however if you cant, just give the crate or bed area a gentle knock and use a command  word that you have picked for letting your puppy know you do not like something,

When you puppy is quiet you can reward, I do not give treats myself during the night, poodles are very clever and can learn to make a noise and then be quiet to get that treat or your attention.

Most undesired behaviour will stop after just a few nights, but make sure you have informed your neighbours that you have a new pup and they may hear it in the night, explain that in the short term there maybe noise so that long term there is not noise at night.

 

CHEWING

 

Chewing is a common problem in dogs, around 4 till 6 months and then again at 9 till 11 months your puppy will be teething, this will increase their urge to chew to relive the discomfort, make sure you have plenty of nice alternatives to your shoes like nylabones and other safe chew toys.

Plenty of exercise will help take their mind off this discomfort, however if you do catch your puppy in the act of chewing incorrect items try to defer their attention to something else, like a nice treat , where possible get the dog to leave the item rather than taking it away yourself, and remember they can not help themselves.

 

MOUTHING

 

Mouthing is not chewing, this is something they do with their litter mates, this is part exploring and learning your tolerance on how hard is hard enough, in my opinion no mouthing on human flesh should be allowed as big teeth can be a big problem, now is the time to nip it in the bud, during affection if the puppy starts to mouth you place your hand with a small amount of pressure over their nose and make your negative sound, mine is ah, as soon as they  relax praise in a relaxed manor, another way I have seen to prevent puppy's from mouthing skin is to rub your arm and hands in butter and allow them to lick, teaching them that skin is to be gentle with.

If the puppy mouths you during play, drop the toy or stop what you are doing and turns away, do not resume play for at least a couple of minutes, this will teach the puppy that mouthing or nipping stops play.

Do not allow people to play rough games with them as this will encourage nipping and mouthing.

 

JUMPING UP

 

When your puppy is excited or pleased to see you it is common for them to jump up, ok when they are small or you do not have you going out clothes on, prevention is easy, never give your puppy attention during this excited or anxious state, wait until they are calm and then go to their level and make a fuss of them, if they return to jumping walk away and repeat, NEVER give attention when you first walk into your house, let the settle, make a cup of tea or anything for 5+ minutes, do not speak to them or even look at them, this will help them to learn their place but more importantly allow them to calm themselves in situations rather than needing you to calm them.

 

Digging

 

Every dog loves to dig, it is natural, have a spot set aside in the garden where you will allow them to dig, bury a scented toy or filled kong  a few inches down in your designated area, have fun playing digging games together a few times a week, if your puppy digs outside of this area take them back to the designated area and play games together, the puppy will soon learn where this activity is allowed, remember that digging is natural to a dog.

 

SEPARATION

 

Dogs are pack animals so it can be hard for them to adjust coming from litter mates to be an only dog, to the puppy you will become its pack, when it is left alone in is normal for them to want to call you back, do not be tempted to return, the puppy will learn that making those noises brings you back and so will continue, after a few days with your new puppy it is good practice to leave them for a short period each day alone, do not return to cries simply wait until the puppy is quiet then return with a treat. Repeat this every day gradually increasing the amount of time you leave them.

It is important to start this you as adult dogs can get very distressed over separation and vocal.