What parts of your poodles behavior are the result of genetics and which parts are the result of training or life experience?
As we approach the 2 month anniversary of bringing our almost 3 year spoo home I’ve been wondering what his story is. Where was he bred? What type of breeder - backyard, show, working dog? What is his lineage, genetics, what were his parents bred to do? Socialization as a puppy? Training as an adolescent dog? Etc. etc.
He came home with us 2 months ago after his previous family couldn’t give him the time he deserved. I don’t know how long they had him, at least a year, which would have put him at 1.5 when they first got him. I don’t think they had him as a young puppy, they had vet records, but only from when he was 1.5 no earlier, no puppy vaccines or anything. My sense is that the previous family didn’t do much with him, but before that is a mystery.
When he first came home with us, it seemed as though he didn’t really know much. Not his name or what sit meant, house training was not 100%, he walked ok on a leash but not great.
Despite this perceived potential lack of formal training he has been so easy to live with right from day 1. Quiet in the house, so sweet and gentle, and quick to pick up on training. Absolutely no signs of aggression towards anyone, strangers on the street, dogs, kids, horses. No resource guarding, no chewing of things. The only things he’s done that aren’t “good” have been our fault, like this morning when he ate my husbands bagel. In Ben’s defense, it was left completely unattended on the coffee table when my husband went to answer the door and full of super delicious cream cheese.
As I’ve done more and more with him I’ve been wondering if he had a really solid start with someone as a young dog or if he’s just naturally quiet, kind and trainable or a bit of both?
Despite my lack of skill, he’s been perfect for all grooming, nail clipping etc. since day 1. This morning he fell asleep as I was clipping his body. He’s great for the vet and has no issues with anyone handling his feet, looking at teeth, ears etc. Crate trained in a few days and walks on his leash like a pro now. He’s the most patient dog I’ve met in my life. The first time I clipped his feet, I was pretty clumsy, and it took a long time. He never pulled his feet away, just gave me pained looks as if he was saying “you have no idea what you’re doing do you?” and eventually laid his head on the foot I was working on so I couldn’t bother him anymore. He’s so good with any dog he’s ever met, loves puppies and is incredibly patient with rude dogs. There is a small dog that lives on the street somewhere, I found him loose when we were out walking one day and I caught him and put him in our yard with Ben. Ben just stood there as this little dog barked incessantly at his face and humped his leg for 20 minutes until the owners showed up.
He’s very sweet and cuddly, and will do anything for a chin rub. At the same time, he’s nervous if a person carries a stick or goes too fast or is too loud. He likes a gentle rough house/game of tug, but shuts down if it gets a little too rambunctious. So I wonder if at some point someone was not so kind towards him.
He’s aloof, and reserved until he’s really comfortable. Definitely the type of dog that you get out what you put in. We’re so in love with him, he’s fitting into our family wonderfully. I would love to know what his background is, what the puzzle pieces are that have made him the dog he is today, so that I can be sure that we are the type of family that he needs and we can do the best we can for him.
What’s your dogs story? Are there parts of their behavior and personality that you have trained or shaped? Are there traits that have been consistent since puppyhood?
I’m excited to hear about who your poodles are!!
As we approach the 2 month anniversary of bringing our almost 3 year spoo home I’ve been wondering what his story is. Where was he bred? What type of breeder - backyard, show, working dog? What is his lineage, genetics, what were his parents bred to do? Socialization as a puppy? Training as an adolescent dog? Etc. etc.
He came home with us 2 months ago after his previous family couldn’t give him the time he deserved. I don’t know how long they had him, at least a year, which would have put him at 1.5 when they first got him. I don’t think they had him as a young puppy, they had vet records, but only from when he was 1.5 no earlier, no puppy vaccines or anything. My sense is that the previous family didn’t do much with him, but before that is a mystery.
When he first came home with us, it seemed as though he didn’t really know much. Not his name or what sit meant, house training was not 100%, he walked ok on a leash but not great.
Despite this perceived potential lack of formal training he has been so easy to live with right from day 1. Quiet in the house, so sweet and gentle, and quick to pick up on training. Absolutely no signs of aggression towards anyone, strangers on the street, dogs, kids, horses. No resource guarding, no chewing of things. The only things he’s done that aren’t “good” have been our fault, like this morning when he ate my husbands bagel. In Ben’s defense, it was left completely unattended on the coffee table when my husband went to answer the door and full of super delicious cream cheese.
As I’ve done more and more with him I’ve been wondering if he had a really solid start with someone as a young dog or if he’s just naturally quiet, kind and trainable or a bit of both?
Despite my lack of skill, he’s been perfect for all grooming, nail clipping etc. since day 1. This morning he fell asleep as I was clipping his body. He’s great for the vet and has no issues with anyone handling his feet, looking at teeth, ears etc. Crate trained in a few days and walks on his leash like a pro now. He’s the most patient dog I’ve met in my life. The first time I clipped his feet, I was pretty clumsy, and it took a long time. He never pulled his feet away, just gave me pained looks as if he was saying “you have no idea what you’re doing do you?” and eventually laid his head on the foot I was working on so I couldn’t bother him anymore. He’s so good with any dog he’s ever met, loves puppies and is incredibly patient with rude dogs. There is a small dog that lives on the street somewhere, I found him loose when we were out walking one day and I caught him and put him in our yard with Ben. Ben just stood there as this little dog barked incessantly at his face and humped his leg for 20 minutes until the owners showed up.
He’s very sweet and cuddly, and will do anything for a chin rub. At the same time, he’s nervous if a person carries a stick or goes too fast or is too loud. He likes a gentle rough house/game of tug, but shuts down if it gets a little too rambunctious. So I wonder if at some point someone was not so kind towards him.
He’s aloof, and reserved until he’s really comfortable. Definitely the type of dog that you get out what you put in. We’re so in love with him, he’s fitting into our family wonderfully. I would love to know what his background is, what the puzzle pieces are that have made him the dog he is today, so that I can be sure that we are the type of family that he needs and we can do the best we can for him.
What’s your dogs story? Are there parts of their behavior and personality that you have trained or shaped? Are there traits that have been consistent since puppyhood?
I’m excited to hear about who your poodles are!!
