Because of his cute little face, you will not believe that you can have an aggressive poodle, but it can happen if you have not taken some necessary steps to avoid the unkind behavior of your beautiful furry.
An aggressive poodle at home
This breed, the poodle is one of the favorites by families around the world, their tenderness and how playful they are makes them ideal to play with the children of the house. However, some of these furry ones tend to misbehave a bit and bite some visitors or bark non-stop.
Learn a little about the characteristics of this beautiful animal and what we should do to help them change their behavior.
1. Characteristics of the poodle
Poodles come in three sizes or variants: the standard (more than 40 cm and between 20 and 32 kg), the dwarf (approximately 30 cm and 5 to 9 kg), and the toy (less than 20 cm and about 3 to 3 kg). 5kg).
They all share a squared-off profile, with a sleek, elongated neckline and a straight back. The tail is amputated, but it is not short, so it can wag happily.
Poodles tend to appear long-legged and have an elongated muzzle combined with floppy ears. They move with the light and energetic steps.
The hair is its greatest attraction. Dogs competing in shows must have a specific cut, with areas of extravagant hair along with others shaved. These cuts were created for a reason: they provided a thick coat over the joints and chest to keep the dog warm while working in cold water.
Many owners choose to keep their dogs in a show or working cut, with pom-poms on their heads and tails.
Some poodles can be seen with tufted hair so that the tight curls form dreadlock-like cords.
The poodle’s coat will be tight and curly unless brushed vigorously. It is a breed that is used to live with people with allergies because its hair does not shed routinely, although it does get tangled on its own. This is why poodles need frequent shaving or grooming, as tangles can be painful. The colors most often seen are silver, black, white, apricot and chocolate.
Reds also appear as well as creams and blues. Multiple colors, such as black and white, are not considered acceptable for display.
2. Personality
Poodles are famous for their intelligence and easy training. They are playful, active, fun-loving dogs with a sense of the ridiculous.
They thrive on being the center of attention and can develop bad habits, such as annoying barking, if they are ignored or left alone.
Smaller poodles can be aggressive towards people outside their families or other dogs.
They should be socialized early with other people and pets and a firm hand is needed in their training. Poodles can be very protective of their families and homes.
It should be remembered that they are hunting dogs in elegant attire, and they need exercise and training to give their best as companion dogs.
3. Coexistence
Poodles are good eaters and their owners should not spoil them with too many treats because they can easily become overweight. Many poodles live comparatively long lives, with the smallest poodles reaching up to 17 years, while standard poodles tend to live between 12 and 14 years.
Grooming is part of the poodle’s life, it is necessary to shave or groom them almost daily due to the tendency of their hair to get tangled. Exposure hair requires frequent baths, fastening using bows and fringes on the ears, as well as oiling the hair to prevent it from breaking. It is also important to have a good hand with the scissors.
4. History
Although they are often associated with France, the poodle is actually of German origin, perhaps a descendant of the French water dog. The breed began to be bred in the 19th century, although there is news of earlier specimens of dogs similar to poodles. The word poodle (name it receives in English) comes from the German Pudel, which means ‘puddle’ or ‘splash’.
Poodles started as hunting dogs and were especially good at water retrievers. With their quick intelligence and desire to please, they branched out like trained dogs with traveling theater and circus companies. The aristocracy, especially in France, discovered this breed and reveled in both its personality and its incredible coat, which could be shaped into many different shapes.
Despite the new image of the poodle as an elegant and somewhat spoiled aristocrat, we must remember that they are still called poodles in France and Spain, which could be etymologically interpreted as ‘duck dog’.
The three variants constitute one of the most popular breeds in the world. They stand out among the glamor of the exhibitions, although they also work as guide dogs for the blind and police dogs.
They compete in all dog sports, from Iditarod racing to sheep driving to obedience and agility. America’s first advocate of obedience discipline, Blanche Saunders, had standard poodles.
5. Aggressive poodle, things we can do
Poodles make good family dogs: fun, energetic, smart, and easy to train. They are fit when they get a lot of exercises, both mentally and physically, and they prefer to be with people most of the time so they don’t like to be isolated in their kennel.
Fear is the common denominator: A dog doesn’t need to have had a bad experience for him to become fearful. It is the dogs that have had the fewest opportunities to socialize that become the most fearful. So socialization is very important. If your puppy gets used to seeing people, both adults and children, as ‘providers’ of fun, cuddles, and treats, he won’t have to exhibit threatening behavior.
To help your puppy overcome his fears, you should expose him to noises and situations as ‘terrifying’ for him as vacuuming, traffic, or the postman. Make him understand that they are part of everyday life.
Your puppy and other people: People, be they friends, relatives, or strangers, are very different from each other, different ages, different looks, different sizes, which can be very confusing for your puppy. Therefore, make sure that from a very young age he comes into contact with as many people as possible. In this way, strangers will seem less strange to him and he will learn to calm down and be more trusting. Just don’t let his new friends overwhelm him with their displays of affection.
It is also important to get used to children. Few children can resist the temptation to play with a puppy, and even if they don’t mean to hurt him, they can scare him. It is a good idea to walk with him near a school; before you know it the kids will be coming over to pet you. But keep in mind that puppies tire quickly, so it’s best to keep their encounters with people short so your pup has time to rest.
Prevent him from biting you and turn his attention to his toys: Before you took him away, your pup was used to playing with his brothers and sisters… biting each other. So when he comes to your house he will want to play-bite you. To keep him from biting you, you’ll need to draw his attention to his toys.
You should know that when you spend time with your puppy, petting or petting him, he will want to bite your hand. It is best to always have one of his toys at hand. Make it difficult for him to bite your hand by making a fist, and offer him a toy in return by waving it around the puppy. It won’t take long for him to realize that toys are much more fun than the ‘giant fist’.
Your puppy only learns what you teach him: You must bear in mind that everything you teach your puppy will become normal for him when he grows up. So when you play with him imagine him as an adult and judge if you like what he does or not. If he starts growling, tries to bite the hand holding the toy, or harasses a toddler during play, stop dead in his tracks and walk away with the toy. He will soon learn why the fun is over and will not repeat the action that he has caused the game to end.
If you have any concerns about your puppy’s behavior or would like more information on available books, training courses, or classes, consult your veterinarian.
