Did you raise your 14 year old dog yourself? I ask because when we brought our two miniature poodle brothers home in 2017 it had been over 30 years since I'd last had a puppy and I had totally forgotten the amount of work involved, especially in the first few months after coming home.
Every question or issue that came up, I took to the internet and PF came up frequently as an excellent resource. I was hearing real life experiences from other owners and advice that was very helpful in getting thru the challenges. I actually joined to be able to thank the collective wisdom of PF which kept me from the brink. (Ok, I did go over the edge several times but made it back, all of us in one piece
.)
Everything I'm hearing so far sounds like a completely normal miniature poodle puppy to me. Experience with other breeds, other dogs, doesn't necessarily prepare anyone for a poodle pup.
There's a lot of good information already provided. I'm adding some other resources for you.
The first few months are really labor intensive. If they weren't also so darn cute and sweet and smart...well...they were all that too so we all made it
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You've been given the Dr. Dunbar link and I'm adding more below.
One of our long-standing members, Liz, has compiled some great resources for owners.
I'll add some quick links and the link to the whole resource.
While You're Waiting for Your New Puppy to Come Home
Whether you are eagerly awaiting the arrival of puppies or have already come home with an adult dog and are wondering what you've gotten yourself into, this is where to start. Between shopping trips for essentials items and puppy-proofing your home, here is some reading to get you in the mindset of life with your new dog:
A Word About Housetraining
A perennial topic, careful management of your new dog's access to space in your house during the first few weeks will prevent dreaded accidents and teach your dog the boundaries of their new home.
(8) Pandemic Puppy Primer | Poodle Forum
Mental stimulation is a priority for poodles. It wears them out just as much as physical exercise.
Routines/schedules help your pup learn what to expect and when. Naps must be included in that schedule (see toddler note below).
An expen is a great management tool for your girl and your family. When a responsible adult is not actively engaged with her for games (aka training), meals, play, exercise, then for her safety and your sanity, pop her in her pen.
Use the Search box for "land shark" and "jumping". As noted keep chew toys handy, in pockets and in easy reach thru the home, to trade out for hands and fingers. The deciduous teeth are needle-sharp but as the adult teeth start coming in, there will be even more chewing, and then after they're in, those teeth are much less sharp and the need to chew becomes more manageable. Teething hurts!
The chew toys and treats are also trades for stolen objects. Don't chase unless it's a dangerous object. That sets all of you up for unwanted behavior. Catch her eye then show her the treat/toy and start to move away. This can be an irresistible draw for her to come to you. There are everyday treats and then there are high-value treats that will almost always get her to attend to you. String cheese, plain white meat chicken are a couple of suggestions.
The "resemblance" to a human toddler has been remarked on more than once and this will likely be thru their whole lives. Poodles stay young at heart for years.
Keep reminding yourself that she is an infant. As a mammal, dogs go thru similar growth phases as human mammals, just at a very different rate, and on 4 legs
. While a human infant would be crawling then toddling for many months, dogs are mobile within weeks. That makes them seem more advanced physically and mentally but it's not really true.
Consider how long it takes a human infant to learn to control their eliminations and why. It's the same for dogs.
It generally takes around 6 months for a dog's neuromuscular system to mature enough to
a/ recognize that they actually have to go - as with any toddler, that urge and the action are often instantaneous
b/ understand that there's acceptable and not-acceptable places to eliminate
c/ understand that they need to communicate their need with the human
d/ be able to hold it until the human figures out that they need to go!
They'll catch on to the concepts earlier but having the physical control depends on the physical maturation. All puppy "accidents" are actually the human's responsibility because all access is dependent on the human. Keep a close eye on her until you learn her signals or until she can clearly communicate her need to you.
Until she matures to that point, "success" is completely dependent on the human being vigilant and proactive. Puppy wakes up? Puppy goes out. Puppy plays? Puppy goes out. Puppy eats or drinks? Puppy goes out. You see the pattern here
They are smart, very smart, but don't mistake that as necessarily being the same as "easy to train". Smart for poodles means they THINK.
One of the trickiest things with poodles is how they learn by observing. Many unintended lessons are taught this way.
Poodles are smart, savvy, sensitive, and selfish. They observe, reason, consider and conclude, with more than a bit of "What's in it for me?". They aren't a separate part of your life, they're smack in the middle of it and thrive with that. It's hard to make clear just how "not alone" you'll be with a poodle in your life, not in an unhealthy way for either of you, but because that's what you both sign up for.
"Poodles are Labs with a college education. My Poodle will do anything your Labrador will do. After a day of retrieving in the field, your Lab wants to curl up and snore in front of the fire. My Poodle wants to be a fourth at bridge and tell naughty stories."
Anne Rogers Clark, the famous handler, all breed judge and Poodle breeder.
Furness 1891
The American Book of the Dog (1891)
"....He is also, in my opinion, more susceptible of education than any other member of his race, seeming to have an innate love for tricks, and needing only to understand what you wish to do it immediately, and then enjoy the fun of it as much as you do.
"Yet, notwithstanding his wonderful intelligence, the greatest patience is required in teaching each new trick. Remember that he is even more anxious to understand you than you are to make him comprehend what you wish, and that a word of encouragement or a friendly pat on the head goes ten times as far as a scolding or a blow. At the same time, bear in mind that the greatest firmness is required, for if a dog for a moment suspects that your whole heart and soul are not in the matter, he at once thinks it must be of small consequence and loses all interest in it forthwith.
"Make him think you are both doing something for mutual amusement, and he will respond and do everything in his power to follow out your wishes, provided he is already firmly attached to you; and in this lies the secret of success or failure in all training; for as he cannot understand your language, he must know by heart all your gestures and intonations...."
Poodles believe in equal rights
I can't imagine my life without a poodle.
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Your puppy came from Richard Bohannon/Aery so whatever other issues you may have with him as a breeder, you have a well bred puppy. That's a good start.
I'm considering Aery for our mpoo. Anyone have direct experiences with their dogs? Thanks! :) Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App
www.poodleforum.com
