[bigpoodleperson]

Have you thought of rescuing a mini or standard? That way you will know how much energy they need, how they are with other dogs, out of the puppy crazies, etc. We have had a Lot of successful rescue stories on the board lately! I personally would go that route if i were in your shoes and had those concerns. I would go with a specific poodle rescue that had a dog in foster care in a house with other dogs. They will be able to tell you so much more about the dogs personality! Good luck!

 

[Locket]

hhaha, BPP got to it before me, so sorry for the repeat post.


If you're mostly concerned about the puppy stage, why not adopt an adult dog?

There are many poodles and poodle mixes in need of homes in shelters and poodle rescue. Most are out of the puppy stage and their personality and energy level are already known.

If you want to go the breeder route, many breeders hold back show prospects or have dogs returned to them that are past the puppy stage, so you could look around and probably find an older puppy or young adult poodle or PWD that way.

 

[terrym2442]

Good idea. I am doing some research on rescues but the main concern there is whether one would bond with me velcro-wise, which is the #1 reason why I want to get another dog. Harper bonded with my husband. It's lonely here since I put my velcro down two years ago.

Do adult rescues or breeder dogs bond strongly to a new owner?

I recently had one bad experience because I initially WAS looking for a rescue. The agency mis-represented the dog I took home (a Cairn), saying it was housetrained, good with dogs, etc etc. The dog was never housetrained and she only got worse the more I worked with her. She also showed some aggression towards my husband and Harper. Not at all the dog they described to me and sadly, I had to return her.

That's why I'm being so cautious now. I don't want to make a mistake again.

 

[Locket]

In my experience, rescue dogs/rehomed dogs bod just as closely to their new owners as a little puppy. I got one of my poodles at two years old. He had been in a very loving, happy home and was very bonded to his owners. At first, he was reserved and kept to himself, but after a few months, he began to really come out of his shell and now he is very much my shadow and my heart dog. I adore him more than anything. He is the best dog I've ever had.

 

[Liz]

Just another thought, and sorry if this confuses the issue more, but have you considered a Spanish Water Dog? They're very similar to PWDs in appearance, but from my very limited experience with them, they seem a little more mellow.

 

[terrym2442]

Locket, that is very encouraging news. Was he housetrained, too, when you got him? How did you find him?

 

[Sadie Girl]

Terry,
I got Sadie from scouring the Internet. I didn't want to deal with puppydom, although those Arreau Poodle videos have made me regret it just a bit. She was just over 5 when I got her and it took just about 4-6 weeks for her to bond with me. Like you, I won't walk her in the winter time because all the snow and ice here in NW IN are just too hazardous. She does her zoomies in the back yard where I have some privacy fencing, but not all. Obedience is so helpful. She's not too much of a cold weather fan so she's ready to come in after 5-10 minutes. Then her outside zoomie mode gives way to her house manners. Great dog!

Just start calling breeders but make certain you do your homework and check references in addition to this forum.

Are you upper Michigan?

 

[terrym2442]

Hi Sadie Girl,

Did you get her from a breeder, then? Or as a rescue?
It was my hubby's idea to get a puppy, knowing how important it is to me for the dog to bond with me. He's worried an older dog won't bond.

I live just outside of Detroit in the "burbs."

Your situation sounds a lot like mine!

 

[terrym2442]

Liz- no! I don't know much about Spanish Water Dogs! I should look into those if they are calmer than Porties. But I think they are very large...?

I love Mia's brown face and her puppy cut! She's such a cutie.

 

[spoospirit]

I have two standard poodles. I got my first one when he was five months old. He was shy, reserved and kept to himself at first. Eventually, he bonded well with me, and now, at two years of age, he is my heart dog. He was never mouthy and always had good house manners.

My second one was brought home at nine weeks of age. She bonded with me immediately and is a full velcro dog. I often find myself turing in a circle while walking with her because I don't see her, only to find she is directly behind me and turning with me. It's really funny. Makes it awfully hard to photograph her though since she rarely gets away from me. She was a little mouthy but gentle and trained out of it quickly. She liked something to chew on in the house but always had good indoor manners too.

When I let the two out, they take off like mad men and do their zoomies, bunny hops, twists and turns, jumping and anything else that comes to mind...LOL But when they are done and come into the house, they go right into their inside mode and lay down quietly somewhere. Often, they will lie down on the couch next to my husband or me.

Billy was very quick to house train. My girl, Taffy, took a bit longer. I used crate training for both. I would suggest crate training for owners of any type of dog.

My sister and I did a lot of research before getting our poodles. We were specifically looking for poodles with a soft nature and that is what we have.

 

[Sadie Girl]

Sadie came from a breeder who said that she never bred her females more than twice. She said that Sadie would be happiest in a home where she was the only poodle. She seems quite content and the question of bonding never was an issue. That probably varies by the dog's personality. She also has become protective of me and I do have to be cautious with her when repairmen come to the house. Women don't seem to be a perceived threat.

 

[terrym2442]

Spoospirit-
Your dogs sound wonderful! It's funny how so many people responding here have standards. Hey- where are the toys' moms? I'm curious about the little guys, too!

Spoos- was your breeder local to you? I want a gentle spirit, too!

Terry

 

[Skye]

I am just reading through this thread, and I agree that adopting a rescue, or a retired mini would be fabulous! I have a rescue pup we got at 6 months; he's 8.5 months now. He has a nice temperament. I walk him around the block, usually twice a day, or let him zoom around the yard on the retractable. Right now, he is going through a stage where he's into everything. But, he is learning things fast, and he needs to be kept busy mentally.

About bonding; my husband had those same concerns. Originally, I wanted a 2-3 year old spayed female. Our pup came along, and even though he was younger than I wanted, and a male, he sounded right for us.

This past weekend, we just picked up a mini that was about 4 years old from another forum member. His name was Romeo, and it really fits. He stole the heart of everyone he met! He seemed to bond with everyone!

 

[KalaMama]

I have both breeds and in my opinion they are ENTIRELY different. My PWD is also a crazy puppy. My poodles can be hyper for a bit when i come in but the PWD is a gazillion times more extreme in her energy. If your PWD is anything like mine as a puppy, then a standard will be like a piece of cake No really, both breeds are wonderful but a Poodle is a lot calmer in the house as a puppy. My PWD is 1.5 so I can't testify how she will be as an adult. I would say she requires much more exercise to be happy and calm. PM me if you need any more info on living with a PWD and Poodle

 

[spoospirit]

Spoospirit-
Your dogs sound wonderful! It's funny how so many people responding here have standards. Hey- where are the toys' moms? I'm curious about the little guys, too!

Spoos- was your breeder local to you? I want a gentle spirit, too!

Terry

Sorry Terry. I missed this post as I have been busy with other things after posting. I did get your PM and responded to it.

 

[wishpoo]

I visited a breeder who was breeding standards for long time and than "tried" toys also, but after just couple of years stopped although they got Ch titles . She said that they have "different mind-set" than standard and that they are more active and more clingy and more vocal. Maybe her line was like that - I do not know :noidea:
The fact is that of 2 hours I spent there , small guys were running and barking non-stop and standards did not let a peep until somebody rung the doorbell, and even than it was 2 big "woofs" and checking the door and it was it.

 

[terrym2442]

Gosh almighty. So much wonderful information. I cannot belive how helpful people here are.

I'm thinking...is there such thing as a dog buyer coach? Cuz I am now completely overwhelmed and have no idea which way to go with all this. I guess that's a good problem, but still...I have no idea what to do!

Terry

 

[Lilith]

Ha! It's so difficult, I know! I agonized and agonized over what kind of dog to get. Had 3 or 4 potential dogs lined up and was talking extensively with the breeders/owners, and - I hate to say this - but I went with the one I could drive to instead of having it flown to me. Terrible reason. I'd like to say "go with the one that just feels right." But... well... It worked out so spectacularly well for me, though. I never thought I could love a dog so much.

Good luck!

 

[fjm]

I have one of the "little guys"! Poppy was 3.5 months when I got her. Although she was raised in the house, she did not have a lot of socialisation with strangers, which may account for her being just a little more nervous than Sophy. We worked hard on gentle, gradual socialisation, and she is much, much better. She is very, very attached to me - which can make it difficult if I need to leave her with anyone else. She is now 18 months, and a very relaxed little dog in the house, as long as she gets enough exercise out of it! She and Sophy do play together, but most of the time they are either asleep (on my lap as I type), or settled with a chew toy. They do bark, but not excessively and will stop on command.

As with any dog, much of it comes down to how they are raised and trained - I know people who were afraid to let other dogs approach their tiny pup, and swept her up every time one came near - result a dog reactive Yorkie. The world can look very scary when your eyes are just a few inches from the floor, and I think small pups need a lot of careful socialisation to help them learn what is safe and what is not, without being hurt or frightened in the process. It is also essential for them to learn good canine communication skills - a small dog that does not know how to use calming signals is going to be at considerable risk!

I suspect that an adult's dog ability to bond comes from its early experience with humans. If a dog has had a close relationship with one or more humans, he or she will bond more easily as an adult. It seems to be the puppy farm breeding dogs, who have never had that experience, that often take longer to learn to relax around people.

 

[terrym2442]

Lilith and fjm,

Thanks for your info/feedback. I guess I don't feel so bad about spending this much time deciding/researching. The right one will come along. FJM- how small is Poppy?