POODLE CARE

Once you've made the decision to purchase a poodle you should be aware of how to take the best care of your new friend. Any responsible pet owner will be aware that they will need to devote a substantial amount of time to caring for their poodle. If there's any doubt in your mind that you may not have the time to devote to your poodle please reconsider - it won't be fair on you or the dog.

Grooming

Grooming is one of the biggest tasks involved in owning a poodle. Their thick coats mean they need to be regularly washed, brushed and clipped. It's not necessary for your poodle to sport a show clip if they're a household pet, but their coat should be regularly trimmed at the very least to avoid them becoming uncomfortable.

Get your poodle used to being groomed from an early age. The sooner they understand this is part of the daily/weekly routine the more accepting they will be. Always be firm when grooming, so the dog knows it's not a game. A doggy treat reward at the end of the session always goes down well.

Whilst grooming don't forget that ears, teeth and nails also need attention.

Health

Your poodle should be vaccinated regularly, which your vet will advise on. It should also be wormed every three months. As the owner of a poodle you should also be aware of the inherent diseases that can occur in the breed such as Addisons, hip dysplacia and Von Willbrand's disease. Not nice things to consider, but it's better to be prepared. If you know the signs to look for with various diseases you may prevent them worsening.

Always have your vet's telephone number to hand and at the first sign of any illness with your poodle call them.

Exercise

Poodles love frolicking and exercise, even the small varieties. Obviously a smaller dog won't need as much exercise as a larger one, but in all cases exercise is important for the health and well-being of your poodle.

A good vigorous walk twice a day will benefit both you and your poodle.

Diet

Your poodle should be given the best quality food you can afford. To help prevent the medical condition bloat (gastric torsion); it's a good idea to feed 2-3 smaller meals a day, rather than the usual 2 larger meals. Don't forget to have fresh drinking water available at all times.

Doggy treats are useful as rewards but give them sparingly as too many are not good for your poodle.

Don't be tempted to give your poodle your own left overs, as human food can upset a dog's stomach.

Training

The sooner a poodle puppy is trained the better as then it knows where it fits into the household and what is acceptable or not. If you purchase your poodle as a puppy don't delay with house and behaviour training. If you have an older poodle you need to train you may need the services of a dog trainer or the advice of your vet.

Barking can be a problem. Be prepared to deal with this if you are considering a poodle and if you want a quiet life a poodle is not for you. It's often cause by separation anxiety or boredom, as the poodle is a highly intelligent breed.

In the Car

The safety of your poodle when travelling in the car is as important for the dog as it is for human passengers. A dog restraint or seatbelt should be used for all journeys, no matter how short. An unrestrained dog is a danger to passengers as well as being in danger itself in the case of an accident. Even an emergency stop can cause serious injury if the dog is thrown forward and hits itself or a person.

Please don't use a cage to restrain your poodle in the car. The force of a cage hitting a passenger in an accident can cause severe injury to both them and the dog.

Dogs love to hang out of car windows, but this is not a good idea as insects and debris can cause damage to the eyes and possibly blindness. What seems like a treat for your poodle may damage him for life.

Dog Toys

Dogs love toys, particularly to chew on and relieve their doggy stress. Your poodle will enjoy retrieving toys so be prepared to play games. The best material for dog toys is nylon or rubber as they won't damage the dog's teeth and gums. Don't be tempted to give your poodle toys not intended for dogs, such as soft or plastic toys as he could accidentally swallow the fibres or small pieces and choke. Toys should be sterilised regularly to avoid disease.

Your poodle might occasionally like to chew on a bone. Either give him large solid bones from the butcher or special toy bones. Don't give your poodle chicken bones as they can split and injure him.

A good book on caring for your poodle is a wise investment. It will advise you on how to best care for your companion. If someone asks you what you want for Christmas you know what to say!