Hi all,

I've been reading all the relevant posts and am finding that my puppy is quite normal but I'll bring up the issue that is most bothersome. I've not had a puppy for about 10 years (two yorkies) and do not remember the mouthing and some of the other behaviour. I went with a mini poodle this time because as well as reseaching the breed loyal, smart personality, good temperment etc. my neighbor had just gotten a male toy poodle who was just a peach, quite cuddly. Well, my puppy is just the opposite. She's very fiesty, energetic(wears me out) and very mouthy. She 4 1/2 months old now and I'm still reading and trying all the tips to make her stop(although she has become better with me than others in my family but does not do it to strangers sort of like kids).
At first I was concerned that she was too dominant, couldn't put her on her back kinda thing and very oppionated but she's very submissive with strangers and she is starting to settle down a little. I've substated my position as pack leader(that sounds rather bossy).
I guess I'm just looking for any advise and or information from any mini poodle owners(and others) to see if she's just a regular poodle/puppy and I'm expected too much.
Thanks

Hi,

Poodles are very bright little dogs and have a fantastic personality, this sometimes make them seem a bit feisty, but use this to your advantage and attend training classes, your poodle will excel at this and you will improve your bond with her.

Poodles were once used regularly in obedience, until the Border Collie arrived and took over, so they are extremely trainable and love learning new things and new tricks, this will give your girl something to think about and channel her brain in the right direction.

With the biting, cry if she bites you and really make a big fuss about it hurting and she will learn that this hurts and will learn to bite gently and eventually not at all.

Increase her socialising with people if she is a bit nervous, don't fall into the little dog trap of picking her up all the time, this can make them snappy. Encourage people to get down to her level and offer her treats to come to them, never force her to go towards people, let her do it in her own time.

Good luck and have fun :)

Manda
X

Thanks Manda,
I have tried the loud "OUCH" which sometimes seems to instigate more biting instead of inhibit it but she is getting better with "me" not as much with the rest of the family though. (mostly the kids) She's really good with other people not yappy or nippy which surprises me but I'm glad but inspite of introducing her to quite a few dogs she's still barks at new dogs she see's. I tried to do a lot of socialization with her as soon as we brought her home(8 weeks old). I took and still take her everywhere soccer games, stores, car, town, peoples houses etc.. sometimes she gets a little over excited but .....
I'm constantly re-enforcing the training i've done so far sit,lie down, stay were working on heel (she's extremely treat oriented) so if I use a treat she'll basically do anything. I'm planning on taking her to obedience classes soon but I'm just not sure what to expect of her at 4 1/2 months in the way of training and behavior. I don't want to expect too much or to little.

hi dappa....remember posturing is everything with dogs...they are born with an inate way of seeing the world.they must be able to put things in perspective.....mouthing more than anything is indicitive of a state of mind...its something they use to achieve and confirm status............all puppies don't do it.mostly the ones who have recieved a signal in another area that its acceptable,and some are more prone than others inherently.....you must do things besides ''rolling her over''....that in of itself won't be succesful if you are giving mixed signals in other areas.....try to model domininate reponses that an older dog would have if a little puppy did that ....its sort of a ''haaaarrrrggghhh''...real quick .velocity matters.they all have an inate response to dominion.its how the social structure they have works...................................................then also use treats to teach positive behaviors...so she can say to herself....''the humans like it when i sit ,down etc......and they don't go for that biting .....play is prcatice for later life.....case history's on biters almost without exception invovles a dog the was ''mouthy'' as a puppy