[kona]

Hi everyone! I have wanted a standard poodle for the past 8 years! I would see one anywhere and stop what I am doing and run, even across the street, to meet the dog. I absolutley love them. After 4 years of trying and begging, and realizing that I wanted to 'rescue' vs. 'buy' a standard poodle, I found one.... (probably for the 5th time) and my fiance finally agreed to get him!

My world is made! Meet Kona, our almost 6 month old black pup. He is literally the best dog I have ever met. We have a standard 5 year old Dachshund and it is great to watch them together. It only took 24 hours for them to start playing, of course Marley (the doxie) was the one who decided to let kona in. Kona knows sit. He is unfarmiliar with other obesdiance commands.

He had worms when the lady got him. We are his 3rd owners! I know it was the peole who had him were not meant for him and that is why he got passed along to the lady we got him from. He doesn't jump up, he doesn't bark, he doesn't bite, he's not food agressive and he even let me give him a shower (i was in there with him) and he was so good and relaxed. He's amazing.

However, we had him for 3 days at home and then we went to the outer banks in NC. We let him run on the beach with and without a leash. Now he pulls on the leash
I have some beginer questions:
Any advice/books or ideas on how to train him?
What kind of collar would work best? Martingale perhaps for all the time? (check out etsy.com for handmade affordable ones)
What is the best puppy food for him? (he likes to eat)
How much should I feed him, he is almost 6 months old and weighs 26lbs?

 

[cbrand]

However, we had him for 3 days at home and then we went to the outer banks in NC. We let him run on the beach with and without a leash. Now he pulls on the leash
I have some beginer questions:
Any advice/books or ideas on how to train him?
What kind of collar would work best? Martingale perhaps for all the time? (check out etsy.com for handmade affordable ones)
What is the best puppy food for him? (he likes to eat)
How much should I feed him, he is almost 6 months old and weighs 26lbs?

Is there an obedience class near you taught by a qualified trainer? You might try contacting your local kennel club or poodle club for a reference. I don't recommend the training provided through the chain stores like Petsmart or Petco. In my experience it has been very low quality.

I like to use a pinch collar on my young poodles. I find that I can get by with a very light correction with these collars and that my dogs learn what I call "self-carriage". That is that they learn to walk on a loose lead without always leaning on the leash and collar. Usually around age 1 yr I transition to a typical buckle collar with great results.

I never use halties, martigales, harnesses etc. I feel like a dog never learns to walk on a normal leash and collar.

26lbs at 6 months is very light. How tall is this boy? He has been treated for worms, right? I like to feed a high quality food where the first ingredient is a high value protein source. So chicken as an ingredient is better than chicken meal which is better than poultry meal etc. Most grocery store dog food is junk but the Costco brand of food is good quality and not too expensive.

 

[kona]

Thanks for the feedback!

Is the costco brand dog food Kirkland? Do they make a puppy food?

Yes, Kona has been treated for worms and he is definetly loving his food, and has put on a pound I am sure. He is already 18" tall at the shoulder, his feet look small-ish, I wonder how big he will get. How much do they grow after 6 months?

What pinch collar type do you reccomend? Metal or fabric? Thanks!

Also, Kona is very itchy, we have given him a flea treatment, and also Marley our other baby. However, I have notices dy skin, raised bumps, and dandruff. Could this be due to his malnurishment prior to us getting him? Any suggestions?

 

[spoofan]

Welcome to the forum.
Did Kona see a vet since you got him?
If not,it might be a good idea.
They could answer many of your questions as well as look at his skin condition.
My vet recommended that I keep my spoo(sorry,Purple Poodle) on puppy food till 24 months of age...I since decided to switch him to RAW.
Obedience class,as suggested above,is a great idea....many questions can be answered there as well.