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Temperament question

1977 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Marian, 
JE-UK
I'm new to poodles and still learning ... interested if anyone else has seen a change in attitude to strangers with age ...

My miniature is coming up on his 1st birthday, and I've noticed lately that he is getting more standoffish with strangers we encounter when we are out. It's not a bad thing for me, some people don't want to stop and cuddle a min poodle puppy just because he thinks everyone in the world should love him, but I'm am curious as to whether this is a normal facet of poodle temperament?

He still adores anyone who comes into the house for any reason. No one we've ever encountered while out walking has ever been unkind to him, so it's not an aversion-with-cause.
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Marian
Maybe he knows their political affiliation? ;)

But seriously, has he been neutered? My mini will be a year old on Monday and I haven't noticed any change in his attitude toward strangers. In fact, just yesterday, he climbed on a homeless man sitting on the pavement and licked his face. People are always approaching him and petting him and he always acts like they're his long lost BFF. So I think something else is going on with your little one.

Then again, Teddy might be atypical.
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debjen
Flyer really doesn't like people coming up to him..he likes to go up to people..It really seems to make a difference to him..if he comes up to you he will be all over you giving kisses and whatever else he can get away with..but if people come up to him he will back away.
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Marian
I'm curious though, has Flyer been that way all along, or has it developed as he's grown older?
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Chagall's mom
I just have experience with one mini poodle, my one-year-old neutered male, Chagall. He loves absolutely everyone and will gleefully approach any and all strangers while we're out walking; men, women, children, babies in carriages, adults using canes or in wheelchairs. He's a "people magnet" and truly craves attention from all comers. He goes into a crazed "happy dance" when people come over to our house, even if it's just a repairman.

Perhaps Vasco is going through a latent fear period? Or maybe he's just grown up enough now for his personality to show and he's discerning about strangers? It sounds as though he's not met anyone who's unfriendly that you're aware of, and I'm guessing he's been well-socialized as a young pup, right? Anyway, I'm sure someone on the forum can be helpful to you. Good luck in finding the answer.
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Chagall's mom
Marian,
An early "HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!" to your lovely little Teddy! I know you'll give him a marvelous celebration on Monday. (He'll think the Memorial Day parade is just for him!) I have a picture in my mind of him cuddling up to that homeless man. I often say if people were more like poodles, what a wonderful world it would be! It does sound as though Teddy and Chagall have similar temperaments, just a pair of jolly little fellows happy to be in the world with us.
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PaddleAddict
My mini just adores people and I have often wondered if it's just a puppy thing (he's 6 months) and if it will change when he gets older. It's almost unreal how unfazed he is around new people and situations. Even toddlers can run up to him and he meets them with a wagging tail.
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Marian
Sometimes I feel a little twinge of jealousy because Teddy greets strangers more enthusiastically than he greets me sometimes. LOL


Chagall's Mom - Thanks! We're going to a picnic in the park to celebrate. His mini poo friend from downstairs will be there too.
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Cdnjennga
I think adult dogs are often more stand offish with people than puppies. I don't know about poodles (although I know they can be more reserved), but none of our adult PWDs have ever been all that excited by random strangers on the street. They love people in the family and people who come to our house, but if someone comes up to say hi to them, they'll usually get a mild tail wag and that's about it. Ziggy loves love loves children, so that's the only exception to that rule.

Darcy at 13 weeks wants to talk to everyone on the street, whether they want to talk to him or not. It's a little annoying, as he'll stop dead on our 20 minute walk to work quite often, so I wouldn't mind if he was a little more stand offish!
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Marian
That's exactly why it takes us 30-45 minutes to walk .6 of a mile.
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debjen
Marian said:
I'm curious though, has Flyer been that way all along, or has it developed as he's grown older?
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Flyer has pretty much always been that way..maybe not when he was with all of his litter mates or maybe it was just me that he always gravated to as I always picked him up first when trying to figure out which of the 4 black pups he was..LOL..but every since I have had him he prefers to approach people rather than have them approach him.
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Chagall's mom
Hey Marian, I also feel a bit jealous when Chagall fusses so over strangers. I sometimes think he'd like to go home with them and ditch me! I swear I think I've heard him ask for phone numbers (ha ha!). In truth though, he's so attached to me I know he'd soon hitchhike home or call me to come and get him.
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neVar
it's that fine line- you don't want them going over and leaping on strangers- but you lso don't want to allow 'reservation' to become fear which leads to agression.

So do get new people to pet him on occassion- have them give him a treat (cookie, peanut butter, spry cheese what ever) and then pet him.
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Marian
Chagall's mom said:
Hey Marian, I also feel a bit jealous when Chagall fusses so over strangers. I sometimes think he'd like to go home with them and ditch me! I swear I think I've heard him ask for phone numbers (ha ha!). In truth though, he's so attached to me I know he'd soon hitchhike home or call me to come and get him.
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I know exactly how you feel, and Teddy is the same way. He will even wake up from a dead sleep to follow me into the bathroom. He's a velcro dog for sure, but he isn't needy--I'm so thankful for that because I already have a needy cat. LOL
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