Toy Poodles have a delightful temperament, are intelligent and do well when they can constantly stand by their owner's side for love and attention. They are very small and resistant dogs and can live well during the adolescent phase; but over the years they become more delicate and need veterinary care that can guarantee them a long life. If you want to take care of a Toy Poodle you need to give them your full attention and have the financial availability to meet their needs, such as regular grooming, adequate health care in old age and appropriate preventive treatments, such as worms..
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Power
Step 1. Choose an age-specific food for the dog
Depending on their age, dogs need different levels of proteins, calories and other nutrients. There are several types of food formulated for puppies, adult and senior dogs.
- PuppiesThey need high levels of muscle protein, calories for growth, and calcium to develop healthy bones. If your puppy is less than 12 months old, feed him dog food specially designed for his age group. It is usually labeled "puppy food". Choose a food specifically for Toy Poodles. This is because the size of the croquettes is smaller and easier for the pet's small teeth to chew.
- Adult dogsWhen your dog reaches about one year of age, feed him food formulated for adult dogs. Continue with this type of food until it is around 7 years old. It is nutritionally balanced food, capable of meeting the dietary needs of a mature dog.
- Older dogs: When the Toy Poodle reaches 7 years of age and above, switch to a specific food for him. This type of food contains a smaller amount of minerals such as phosphate, which is difficult for the kidneys to process. This way you protect your pet's kidney function.
Step 2. Choose a completely dry diet
When it comes to dog foods, you can choose between a dry complete diet (often consisting of kibble) or a wet canned food diet, with the addition of mixed biscuits. Dry foods are healthier for your dog's teeth, because chewing on cookies helps keep the oral cavity clean. Wet ones may be more tempting to toy breeds, but these canned or sachet foods tend to be sticky and stick easily to the teeth, encouraging plaque build-up.
- If you can, set a complete diet based on kibble from an early age to promote dental health.
- Look for a food specifically for Toy Poodles so that chewing on the kibble is less strenuous.
Step 3. Schedule the frequency of meals based on the age of the animal
When he is still a puppy, he has a smaller stomach and needs to be fed more frequently than when he is an adult.
- Puppies: Feed your pet often and with small meals. The general rule is 4 meals a day up to 3 months of age; 3 meals a day up to 6 months; 2 meals a day from 6 months to adulthood.
- Adult and senior dogs: Feed your poodle 2 meals a day. This is the recommended amount, as she has a rather small stomach capacity, and prefers to eat smaller meals more often.
Step 4. Make sure it always has plenty of water
Always leave him a bowl of water available; change it every day and clean the container every 2-3 days.
Part 2 of 6: Grooming
Step 1. Keep your dog's coat clean and free of residue
Poodles have a sturdy, curly coat that grows continuously. They do not lose it in the same way as other breeds: their fur does not fall out, but remains entangled with the rest of the coat. This means they often have knots and tangles.
Puppies have soft fuzz, which begins to turn into adult hair at around 6-9 months of age. The complete transition to the adult coat can last until the dog reaches 18 months
Step 2. Brush your dog every day
It only takes a few minutes a day to give it adequate grooming. This is useful for a dual purpose: you manage to untangle his hair and at the same time provide him with the right attention he so badly needs.
Step 3. Use a stiff comb or brush
To get rid of tangles, you need a specific comb or brush that you can find in pet stores. It is also a good idea to use both, combing the poodle in some areas of the body and using the brush instead in others, depending on the appearance of the coat.
Step 4. Spray his coat with water
Before you start combing it, spray the poodle with a light spray of water. This prevents electrostatic discharges, as well as preventing the hair from tangling.
Step 5. Comb the hair section by section
Separate a patch of fur and hold it between your fingers. Run the brush from root to tip with the brush.
Do a thorough grooming all over the body, and be sure to comb the hair also behind the ears and under the belly
Step 6. Trim the coat every 3-8 weeks
The Toy Poodle's coat grows all the time, so to keep it tidy it needs to be clipped from time to time. Depending on the desired length, it should be cut every 3-8 weeks.
Typically this is a treatment that is done in grooming centers, but if you have quality grooming tools, some practice, and a lot of time on your hands, you can learn how to do it yourself
Part 3 of 6: Ear Care
Step 1. Consider removing the hair from his ears
These dogs tend to have very hairy ear canals. In fact, the hair from the body extends towards the ear canal and can obstruct it, a bit as if he were constantly wearing hairy headphones. Talk to your veterinarian to establish an adequate schedule to remove the hair from these areas.
Experts have conflicting opinions about whether or not to shave his ears. Those in favor of removing hair say that this allows for better air circulation, thus reducing the chances of ear infections, and that hairs that have collected a lot of ear wax are removed. Others argue that this operation leaves the ears sore and sensitive to inflammation
Step 2. Keep your ears checked for any problems
Monitor them carefully, especially if you decide not to remove their hair. Check for infections (characterized by a bad odor, black and thick earwax or discharge coming out of the ear) or if foreign bodies enter (if you notice that you are constantly scratching your ear or moving your head to one side).
Step 3. Get him checked by your vet if you have any problems
If your dog has any signs that suggest an ear problem, ask your vet to check for any health problems. He can advise you at this point if it is appropriate to cut the hair from his ears more or less frequently.
Part 4 of 6: Dental Care
Step 1. Use a baby toothbrush
Toy Poodles tend to develop tartar easily. These residues can cause smelly breath and facilitate gum retraction and tooth loss. To brush his teeth, use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush.
- You can also use a finger brush, which you can easily find at the vet's office or in large pet shops.
- To reduce the accumulation of dental tartar it is recommended to feed the dog with dry food. Eating wet food can lead to more dental problems. If your dog eats wet food, make it a habit to brush his teeth every day.
Step 2. Use a dog-specific toothpaste
You can easily find it in pet stores. Never use that for humans. If your dog ingests the ingredients found in regular toothpastes, such as fluoride, he can suffer from stomach pain.
Step 3. Gently brush the outer surface of the teeth
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush and position the dog's head so that you can easily brush his teeth.
Step 4. Give him some chew snacks for dental care every day
If your dog does not allow you to brush his teeth, give him one of these chew products to ensure daily oral hygiene. This especially helps to clean the chewing teeth (molars) at the back of the mouth.
It is worth investing the time and effort in caring for your pet's teeth, even to reduce the number of dental cleanings they may need
Part 5 of 6: Health
Step 1. When your dog is young, take him to the vet every year
Keeping his health checked partly means having him get regular visits to the vet. If he is under 7, have him inspected on a regular basis every year. Your vet will check him for signs of disease, update his vaccines, and put him for any parasite and worm treatments.
Step 2. When your dog is older, take him to the vet every 6 months
Dogs over the age of 7 should be examined every 6 months. The vet will analyze him for signs of disease, update his vaccines, and give him treatment for parasites and worms.
Step 3. Always keep the animal vaccinated, dewormed and subjected to treatments for parasites
It is the owner's responsibility to vaccinate the animal regularly, treat it against worms (if applicable) and subject it to treatments for parasites such as fleas.
- Vaccination is essential, whether you take your dog for a walk everywhere, but even if he rarely goes out. This is because some infections, such as parvovirus, are caused by particularly resistant viruses that can attach themselves to shoes. Therefore, they can still pose a risk to even the most pampered and spoiled of poodles.
- Talk to the veterinarian about the advisability of implanting a microchip in the dog. This can help you track down the animal in case it gets lost.
Step 4. Sterilize the Toy Poodle, if it is female
One of the health problems that poodles tend to suffer from in old age is diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). The hormones associated with estrus (the period of heat) of the female can trigger diabetes. Therefore, to reduce this risk, it is a good idea to have her sterilized.
- If spaying is done before the female goes into heat for the second time, it greatly contributes to reducing the risk of developing breast cancer in old age. Toy Poodles often only live to the age of adolescence. Whenever a female goes into heat, she weakens the lining of the uterus and is at greater risk of developing pyometra, a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus. Therefore, sterilizing her while she is still fit and strong reduces the chances of having to undergo emergency surgery later in life, when anesthesia may pose a higher risk.
- Neutering a male Toy Poodle doesn't offer the same health benefits. Castration is typically done primarily to avoid raising other unwanted puppies and to control behavioral problems such as aggression or territoriality.
- Talk to your vet if you want more details. By discussing the dog's health with him, you will get good indications on the choices to be made.
Step 5. Monitor your dog for disease as he gets older
Small but hardy, Toy Poodles often do well beyond 10 years of age. However, as they age they tend to suffer from health problems. Diabetes, tooth weakening and heart disease are the most common. Once identified, these disorders can often be easily managed to help your furry friend live a long, active life.
Look for signs that indicate a problem, such as increased thirst, urination problems, coughing, lack of energy, bad breath, difficulty chewing, or weight loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your vet
Part 6 of 6: Training
Step 1. Train your Toy Poodle to sit and stay in this position
This dog is highly intelligent and loves to be mentally stimulated with training. Whenever you feed him, give him the commands to sit and stay, before handing him the food bowl. When he learns to respect the command, you can place the plate in front of him. By giving him these commands every time, he will quickly get used to sitting without having to give him any further prizes or rewards besides food.
Step 2. Train him to approach when you call him
When you're home, spend at least a couple of minutes every hour teaching him his name. To do this, call him by name each time. When he answers and runs to you, repeat his name again and praise him with a treat.
Step 3. Reward him for behaving well
All training should be based on rewards, which means ignoring bad behaviors and rewarding good ones. Resist the urge to scold the puppy, as your mere attention is a reward in itself. Instead, ignore bad behavior and encourage the animal to do something good.
For example, call him back to you and when he arrives, give him a treat
Step 4. Train your dog to spend time alone
Toy Poodles bond strongly with their owner, and can suffer from anxiety when separated or left alone. To avoid this, train your puppy to spend time alone from an early age. It is not particularly difficult. Just leave it in its cage for ten minutes when you're in another room or get it used to being indoors alone when you go out on errands.
Step 5. Play with the dog every day
The Toy Poodle needs to be mentally stimulated at all times, so make sure you have at least 20 minutes twice a day to play with him.
- Give him some stimulating games to keep him busy. You can find them at major pet stores or online.
- Many Toy Poodles enjoy activities such as agility courses on circuits adapted to small breeds.
