Crazy poodle puppy

Crate training is helpful, it isn't a dog prison unless you make it one. Done properly, it provides a safe haven for your pup and later if needed for a sick dog.
Used as a prison, or a punishment for behaviour you don't want will neither stop the behaviour or help your dog.

Almost two years ago, my six year old dog became suddenly very ill. He was put to sleep 24 days later because an MRI scan showed an inoperable tumour on his spine. Before the final diagnosis, the orthopaedic surgeon thought he'd popped a disc , something that is common in long backed dogs like dachshunds or spaniels (he was spaniel x). He advised rest. We had a big labrador and my daughters middle sized dog living with us, so I put my dog's crate back up in the kitchen, with blankets etc. Left the door open, and the patient went straight in and to sleep. We used the crate for the last ten days, before the MRI which took place after a significant deterioration. He was very content and happy in there. it meant I could leave him in the big kitchen area with the other two dogs, without fear he'd fall and they'd be howling with worry about him.
So please don't condemn crate training if you don't fully understand it.

You have to remember your inner Barbara Woodhouse/teacher voice, when you want obedience your voice needs to convey that you are the boss. But don’t shout!

My sister has always kept dogs.... her latest ( in their 8o’s) is a cockapoodle cross. The worst behaved, horrible,mental dog they’ve ever had. I have always looked after her dogs when she’s been off on holidays ( 3/4 per year) but have had to refuse this dog. My husband can fall on his own accord, and doesn’t need the help of a dog who just doesn’t have rudimentary behavioural skills. I can’t stand her!! Apparently poodles are a bit nuts.

If your pup is anxious, you need a trainer who will help you with a positive reinforcement routine. Growling is a warning sound, so not necessarily a bad thing and certainly better than snapping without warning.
It sounds like you should work on recall. We spent hours with our puppy sitting at opposite ends of the room, calling him and giving a high value treat when he got to us. Easy to do when there are two of you and certainly wears a pup out.
You obviously didn't get the pup from a reputable breeder who would not have allowed it to leave until it was 12 weeks old. In the 4 weeks up to that age, the mother and litter mates teach so much in socialisation that human find difficult to replicate. However, mouthing is something they do for the first 6 months until they get their adult teeth so it is important to provide them something to chew. When they bite you, you move them away with a sharp no and they soon learn not to mouth you.
Look up "Clicker training." It is invaluable in teaching them commands. Using high value treats (little piece of sausage, a lick of a primula tube, etc) along side a clicker will completely transform your poodle but it will take persistence and consistency.
Poodles can be nervy but it might be worth taking her to the vet to check her over for anything which might be causing pain which can lead to anxiety. Wearing an Adaptil collar, using a plug-in diffuser or the spray can also make a difference. It is a synthetic hormone which mimics the hormone that its mother would have released to keep the puppies distressed. In extreme cases there are things the vet can give to help cope with the sounds of the world which helps the dog realise that they do not need to worry.
Finally lots of exercise in public places with plenty of rest. Puppies are like children, they need some downtime to stop them getting crotchety and over excited. Whatever you do, don't use punishment as a training aid...you will end up with a much more nervous, unpredictable dog.

I can only reiterate what other GNs have said. Get a grip now with the biting and definitely the growling. Intelligent dogs need work - whether it’s out in the field doing what they were bred for, or else learning good behavior and even ‘tricks’ to keep their minds active. First lesson is that dogs should return when called, for their own safety and that of others! Training sessions should be short, 5 or 10 minutes in a confined area, but several times a day, when the dog is alert and the session should always end on a ‘high’. Commands should be short and firm - sit, lie, come - an order, not a request and physically put the dog in the position you want if necessary, repeating the command. By all means offer the odd tasty reward but your praise will be enough once the basic training’s in place. Never do too much and remember any dog will need a refresher of past training. As others say - a firm ‘no’ should suffice but the occasional shake by the scruff might do it too - it’s what the parent dog would do.

We’ve had dozens of dogs through our hands - mostly spaniels. There’s a saying that a spaniel is born half wild and will die half trained! Give a dog an inch and it will take you for a mile.

Sorry for the very long post - trying to be helpful. I’m sure you’ll get many years of pleasure from your new family member.

Hopefully all I’ve written above is just with a lot of gentleness they are very sensitive.

Haha.
Of course I have one.
They are the sweetest loveliest little dogs...but mine ( a toy) is the most needy of the dogs I’ve had.
All dogs need a lot of socializing from the beginning so as not to be afraid of anything. And they must know their place in the pecking order too, otherwise much like yours they will be calling the shots.
I’d up the the noises so as to desensitize her. And no petting only on your terms, she will soon come looking for more.
Be very firm about all rules please don’t baby at all.

We had a poodle for 14 years. You have to remember that they were originally bred as water retrievers - so working dogs. They have high energy and high intelligence. They need lots of stimulation and play and exercise. Yours definitely needs some training - but NEVER shout (or similar) at poodles (as they are also sensitive); you need to be firm and kind. Puppy biting needs to be dealt with firmly as soon as possible (just as her mother would have done in the pack) so a loud "No" and immediately put out of the room for a count of 10, and then back in again (to lots of praise) works (you may have to do it several times before the message gets through that Biting = Social Isolation). I do wonder about her early experiences - did you see her with her mother? The biting and panicking (which is what it sounds like when you brought her home), plus her aloofness with you, suggests to me that she may have been the product of puppy farming (is that possible?) I really do urge you to contact a KIND dog trainer who uses only positive reinforcement (no macho stuff). She's still young and improvement is possible; and she will be a happier dog too.

I managed to rescue a Staffie cross puppy at 4 months. The poor boy had four homes in that time. I took him to classes and found he loved other dogs. He seemed to get bored sometimes, so I got him a companion. A Poochi, Ten weeks old. He was the size of a guinea pig when I got him. My Staffi trained him, and the puppy did whatever his big brother did. It was incredible to watch They played tug of war with toys and the pup used to fly through the air, because he was so small. They would snuggle up in bed together. They are five and six now. They play fight, but never roughly. It was the best thing I ever did. So now I have two happy dogs that never get bored or misbehave.

I hope you manage to find a proper and responsible trainer - not easy these days! She needs encouragement BUT must also understand when she is not behaving properly. I do not buy into the cage idea - it creates actual separation - like going to a dog prison - when all you need is a naughty corner and a firm voice. Caging dogs can have a detrimental effect on dogs.

My son and partner bought me a cocker spaniel last year. We got him at 8 weeks old and as beautiful as he is he drove me mental I don't think I've ever been so stressed with such a little thing. But perseverance prevailed and now at 15 months hes a lot better still zooms around but he is better. He was also very nervous but he gradually has improved doesn't like other dogs though still nervous of some. But now I wouldn't be without him. I would say patience and perseverance will win in the end.

I have just adopted an 18 month old Romanian street dog a week ago! Yes I'm Bonkers! But have always had rescue dogs. So I feel your pain! Going through some of the same issues. Already have seen an improvement. You must use a firm strong voice and mean business when issuing a command, YOU are her leader! Follow through with your commands, and always end on a good note, if she's done something you've asked her, leave it there, don't try it again, until another day. Do your training while out on a walk, try a long line (30ft lead) do recall & little & often, don't bore her. Offer her high value treats, ie chicken, cheese, sausage, make it fun. If she's in the house ignore her if she's ignoring you! As for the mouthing, short sharp, NO commands, walk away from her, don't engage! She's just a baby, it's hard work but be firm and consistent at all times & hopefully she'll end up a little treasure. My wee girl, is frightened of men, dogs and lots of other things, It will be a long time before I can even let her off the lead even in the garden! She's a flight risk due to fear and no education! We have a long road ahead!!
Keep us updated.

I agree with the other posters - training doesn't end with the classes. It requires consistency, patience and constantly reinforcing the message.

We have an 8 month old miniature poodle puppy. Some of the behaviour described I can relate too. In the evenings she was at her worst, running around the house biting us and generally being very disruptive. We took her to puppy training and I told the trainer what she does, she said it is very normal to display this behaviour and she advised to allow her a time of play and then when she has got so silly in her play put her lead on or put her in her cage if you cage her. We put on her lead and the reaction is almost instant, she settles and is more calm. We love her dearly but she is a handful at times, so persevere and I hope as we hope with our little girl we finish up with a beautiful pet.

This breed is highly intelligent so they require lots of walks and plenty of stimulation or they get bored then this leads to misbehaving and anxiety. As others have said definitely book in for puppy classes where she can interact and you can learn how to control these episodes. It won’t improve with age she will just grow up anxious otherwise. Good luck.

Poodles are notorious for being too clever, and wanting to be the boss. Firm handling is needed now.

Lynda if you can’t find puppy classes at the mo, go on utube, there will be hundreds, and start the training yourself, till classes are open again. Good luck!

When I was born my Nan lived with us, and she had a little poodle and in my baby photos, there is often the little poodle. She was a darling and I loved her and she loved me, she never hurt me at all and was such a friend to me. your pup needs some kindlt trainiing

Lyndawads, I wonder if the puppy suffered some sort of trauma. Whatever you decide to do, all the best with you new 4 legged friend.

Annanan

When I was very young my auntie had a white poodle called zowee she wasn’t young around 7/8 years, wouldn’t have a problem with anyone coming into the house but once you were in, she was so excitable and jumped all over you crying and crying, when you went to leave she was even worse

Did you buy her from a reputable dealer? A lot of these reactions seem to me to be from a puppy that has been ill-treated, and is therefore frightened.

Thank you for all those posts. Having read them all with interest I find that it confirms yet again why it is better to get a cat!

Thank you all for your replies- im not sure whats going on with training classes at the moment with covid but I will definitely look into classes if and when they are up and running again. Hopefully she will turn a corner and be a good girl!!!!

Have worked with dogs for 25 years and do love poodles . They are very intelligent and I’m afraid this one is running rings round you. But she’s young and it should be easy enough to get back on track. Training now is a must but you have to be strong and set the boundaries. Good luck I’m sure you will work it out .