Q&A for How to Care for a Poodle

Whenever your dog does something he's supposed to do, give him a command. Then, give him a small piece of food and praise as a reward. For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit, wait for him to naturally sit down, then say "sit" and reward him. This will help him associate the action with praise and treats. After your dog has gotten the hang of it, gradually reduce the treats you give him until he can do the command without them.

Yes. Poodles are typically calm animals, but can choose to be playful when in an energetic mood.

It depends on what type of poodle you have. If you have a toy or miniature, you probably have to take them out 3-5 times a day (at least). But if you have a standard poodle, you probably have to take them out 2-3 times a day (at least). And that may or may not include play-time outside.

It honestly depends on the dog's personality and age. If the dog is a puppy, then yes, he'll probably run around like crazy!

Yes, as long as they don't chew them all the time. It may break their teeth, especially if they are a puppy. I suggest letting them lick from your hand. It's a safe way to eat ice cubes, and it lets you spend time with your dog.

First, do some research on which breeds are best for you. Poodles are hypoallergenic, so they if you're allergic to dogs, poodles would be a great choice. They are also good with kids and are patient and playful. They need at least 1 hour of exercise every day but aren't so independent, meaning it should not be left alone for too long.

That's a good idea, they need at least 1 hour walk. If they get tired, try splitting the walk into 30 minutes in the morning and 30 in the afternoon.

Toy poodles do get a lot of health problems, but only if you do not take good care. Do some research on other similar dog breeds like shih tzu, Maltese, bichon frise, etc.

Ponds and stagnant pools of water can contain contamination from animal or human waste, which contains bacteria including Salmonella, camphylobacter and Leptospira and can cause your dog to vomit after drinking.

That will be just on the brink of okay. Poodles are very energetic and vigorous. You'll need to give them around an hour to an hour and a half of exercise every day.

Poodles are high-energy and require a lot of stimulation. Aim for an hour to an hour and a half per day of either playtime, walks, or other exercises. You don't want to overdo it with miniature poodles, but vigorous exercise is exactly what they need.

You can give your miniature poodle raw meat. Their digestive tract is short and digestive secretions highly concentrated which make them well suited for consuming raw meats, raw bones, fresh fruits and vegetables, raw eggs, berries, etc.

Control his weight and diet. Losing weight will take some of the strain off your dog’s bones and joints. Special diets that contain omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate can also help relieve arthritic symptoms.

It is not recommended to keep a miniature poodle in an apartment. Though they don't shed and are small enough, they can get aggressive and noisy. Instead, maybe get a a bichon frise, a greyhound or a pug.

Poodles live for 12 to 15 years on average, although they can live longer with good care.

It is absolutely compulsory. Poodles are very energetic dogs and will get aggressive and destructive if not exercised properly or given enough space to exercise.

Yes, poodles can swim very well. Because of their size and light fur, a puppy poodle can’t swim though; you need to give them training.