7 Poodle Care Tips all Poodle Owners Should Know

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Poodles are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They have so many fantastic characteristics that make them a total pleasure to have around you. Poodles are smart, funny, energetic, and can be pretty clownish at times. They will do all they can to entertain themselves and their owners. Plus, they come in different sizes!

If you are or planning to be a Poodle owner, there are a few things you have to know about them. All dogs need some things, but Poodle care is somewhat special. You have to be ready for certain aspects of Poodle care because these dogs are fun to be around, but they can be challenging to care for. Here are the most important parts of Poodle care.

How to take care of a Poodle?

Poodles are fabulous, and if you want to have a happy, healthy, and well-behaved dog, these are the things you will have to provide them with. Keep in mind that these things will require time and money.

1. Nutrition

The most crucial part of dog care, including Poodle care, is nutrition. The dog’s overall health will correlate with the dog food you choose for them. High-quality dog food will help your Poodle thrive, and it is an absolutely essential part of care. These dogs are energetic and active, and dog food should support their lifestyle. The first thing you should do is check the ingredient list. Look for the primary protein source, vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids, crude fats, antioxidants, and other helpful nutrients dogs will benefit from. Avoid artificial ingredients like food colorings, preservatives, and taste inhibitors. You can find out which dog food brands are best for Poodles here - Best dog food for Poodles.

2. Training

Training is an essential part of any dog’s life. Dog owners who want well-behaved dogs will invest time and resources into their dog’s training. We don’t mean you have to train your dog to the same level service dogs are trained. Still, if you want to enjoy your dog’s company and not worry about its behavior outside, you should train them. Some of the training types you should include in your dog’s life are potty training, leash training, basic obedience, and include enough physical activity so the dog doesn’t have to look for destructive ways to spend its energy.

3. Socialization

No matter what dog breed you have at home, socialization is necessary. Even the friendliest dog breeds like the Golden Retriever or the Labrador can react poorly if they are unsocialized. This is especially true for tiny breeds like the Toy Poodle. Toy Poodle owners often forget they have a dog and not a toy. Just because a dog is tiny doesn’t mean they don’t need socialization. Unsocialized dogs often have behavioral issues, and you don’t want to end up dealing with those. Make sure your dog is exposed to other dogs, people, sights, sounds, surfaces, scary noises, and anything that can help them behave in the future.

4. Physical activity

We already briefly mentioned physical activity under the training aspect of Poodle care, but physical activity needs to be mentioned separately. Dogs with too much pent-up energy will be very restless and prone to destructive behavior. It is absolutely crucial you provide your dog with enough physical activity. Take them to a dog park, hiking, swimming, or anything that will allow your dog to spend the energy they have. There is an expression among dog owners that goes like this; A tired dog is a happy dog. You can be sure that this expression is entirely accurate.

5. Dental care

One aspect of Poodle care many dog owners forget about is proper oral hygiene. Most of us think that dogs don’t need to brush their teeth, but that is not true. Plaque and tartar can lead to life-threatening infections and health issues, so dental care is vital. There are different ways you can do that, from including dental chews to brushing and professional cleaning. Whatever you choose, you have to make sure you keep your dog’s pearly whites shining. You can read more about keeping your dog’s teeth clean here - Dog teeth cleaning.

6. Grooming

Grooming a Poodle is crucial for their looks and their health. These dogs are considered hypoallergenic, which means they don’t shed. However, Poodles do shed, but the loose hair stays in their coat until the owner brushes it out. If the owner fails to do that on time, the coat can get tangled and matted, which is terrible for the dog’s skin. If that happens, things like dermatitis or hot spots can occur. Grooming will include regular brushing, ear cleaning, paw control, teeth cleaning, and nail clipping. Plus, your dog will need a bath every 3 months at least. You can find helpful tools right here - The best grooming kits.

7. Mental activity

As we already said, Poodles are intelligent. Still, their intelligence won’t do much for you or your dog if that intelligence is not focused and developed. You need to provide your dog with plenty of mental activity, which means training, puzzles, and problem-solving tasks. Intelligent dogs like Poodles can be very rewarding, but if their owners fail o provide adequate mental activity, they can also become very mischievous and problematic. You must engage your Poodle’s brain and make them develop their cognitive skills. That will result in a well-behaved, calm, obedient, and happy dog.

World Dog Finder team