Taking Your Poodle On Vacation

If you are going to be Taking Your Poodle On Vacation  make sure you have a second checklist for any and all of your dogs needs as well as your own.  It's difficult enough to remember all of the things you will need for yourself and your kids on the trip, let alone for your pet.

Packing for a pet should be just like packing for a child and you should make a list of all of the important items that you will need on the road.

This poodle loves to travel to NYC

Safety Tips For Taking Your Poodle On Vacation

Medicines - Before you travel, make a visit to your vet. You have to ensure if your pet is in good health before traveling. Also ask your vet to give you a list of medications that you may need when you are traveling. If your pet is on some medications make sure to pick up some refills.
Train your pet with the Kennel or Carrier - Before traveling, make sure you train your pet to be comfortable with the Kennel or Carrier. The kennel is the safest way for your pet to travel. It is mandatory in most flights to carry your pet in a carrier or a kennel. Also some hotels, would want you to keep your pet in the kennel when you are out of your room.
Food bowl and Can Opener - It is best to keep your pet on the same diet that he or she is accustomed to. It will prevent your pet from getting sick in the stomach. If your pet likes to eat canned food, then you should have an opener to feed him/her. Make sure you feed water regularly to keep your pet hydrated.
Cleaning supplies - Carry a good quality lint brush and some stain removers. Always clean up as much as you can before you leave a room.

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When Taking Your Poodle On Vacation take along some photographs of your dog so you will have them ready just in case the dog goes missing.  You will need to post signs or get a picture out to the local shelter quickly.  Also, keep note of your tag numbers and microchip number as well.

Does Your Poodle Like To Lick And Kiss?

Does Your Poodle Like To Lick And Kiss?  Are your greeted each day with a wet sloppy "kiss" from your poodle or dog?  It is rather instinctive to dogs and there are several reasons why this is very common among our canine companions. 

It's not just "puppy love" as they say.  There is some truth to that assumption that your poodle is expressing love and affection when it licks your face or hand.   But don't forget that dogs experience the world through their mouth and their nose.   I know that Lucy is so happy to see me every day that I get a wet sloppy greeting from her on my face.  I think it's part affection and part respect.  In a way, I think she is letting me know I am in charge.  In the wild, the more subordinate dogs will lick the pack leaders.   Sometimes Lucy will lick me when someone comes into the house she does not know.  This sort of lets the person know that I am important to them.

Lucy, our poodle,  licking my face

For one thing, the licking process is learned early on in dogs from the mother.  The mother will lick it's newborn pups to stimulate them and get them to begin breathing, as well as getting them cleaned up a bit.  The licking process is an instinctive one and it goes back to when they were born.
Poodles like to lick their human friends because we taste good.  In actuality, our skin is slightly salty and our glands are constantly emitting our scent along with salt.  Dogs get information from their nose and we are unconsciously giving information to our poodles all of the time.

Does Your Poodle Like To Lick And Kiss?

Taken from petplace.com, the following excerpt offers a perspective on the question of why poodles like to lick people.

I don't believe dogs express their sometimes quite profound feelings for their owners by licking or "kissing." In fact, I don't believe dogs really "kiss" at all. Perhaps some dogs are so awed by their owners that they feel the need to signal their ongoing deference by face licking. Call it love, if you will.

One other thing we should always bear in mind is that any behavior can be enhanced learning. Psychologist BF Skinner immortalized the concept that reward increases the likelihood of a response. So it is with licking. If a dog licks his owner's face – perhaps as a vestige of maternal lip licking, perhaps out of anxiety, or just because his owner's face tastes salty – and his behavior is greeted with attention, hugs and (human) kisses, he will likely repeat the behavior in future. In such cases the dog learns just how to push he owners buttons and the owner becomes analogous to a vending machine.

So while face licking may not represent true romantic love, it nevertheless can sometimes be interpreted as some token of a dog's affection or respect ... and that's nothing to sniff at.

Original story may be found here

I wonder Does Your Poodle Like To Lick And Kiss as much as mine does?  Probably so, I would imagine.  It's a sign of loyalty and respect as well as affection.  But what does your poodle get out of the act of licking?  Well, for many dogs, licking releases pleasurable endorphins which gives dogs a sense of comfort and pleasure.  It offers a release of stress for the animal.  If it is compulsive or it is getting to be a bit too much for you, just get up and walk away, or just ignore the licking.  If every time your poodle or dog begins to lick you and the petting stops and you get up and ignore the dog, it will most likely subside, little by little.

Having A Career Working With Poodles

As a pet owner, have you ever thought about Having A Career Working With Poodles?   There are a lot of jobs you can do and still work with and be around dogs.  If nothing else, you can start by getting a job in a pet store.  From there you can begin to look around at other opportunities as well.

Some jobs occupations demand years of study and training and some do not.  For example, getting a job as a veterinary technician requires you to go to have a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year associates degree.

Training Poodles and dogs for a living can be a rewarding career

Working With Poodles As A Living

Here's what the Bureau of Labor Statistics had to say about the requirements of becoming a Veterinary Technician.

What Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Do

Veterinary technologists and technicians perform medical tests under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian to treat or to help veterinarians diagnose the illnesses and injuries of animals.

Work Environment

Veterinary technologists and technicians work in private clinics, laboratories, and animal hospitals. Their jobs may be physically or emotionally demanding. Many technologists and technicians may have to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.

How to Become a Veterinary Technologist or Technician

Veterinary technologists and technicians must complete a postsecondary program in veterinary technology. Technologists need a 4-year bachelor’s degree, and technicians need a 2-year associate's degree. Typically, both technologists and technicians must take a credentialing exam and must become registered, licensed, or certified, depending on the state.

Pay

The median annual wage of veterinary technologists and technicians was $29,710 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of veterinary technologists and technicians is expected to grow 52 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities are expected to be excellent, particularly in rural areas.

Above from United States Department of Labor

If this is too ambitious a career choice for you to undertake, then consider a career as a dog walker.  Dog walking businesses have been springing up all over the place and there is a real need for a qualified dog walker who can walk dogs in your neighborhood for people who are out all day and can't care for their pets at home.
Keep in mind, of course, that this is not a hobby and it is a real profession.  You need to be a professional.  You will either run it yourself or hire employees, who also need to be qualified to handle the tasks associated with dog walking and dog care.  You will need to be insured and bonded and run it just like any other business.

Other Options Of Having A Career Working With Poodles

What about any special passions or skills you may have?  Do you love to take pictures or are you a good photographer?  How about a career as a Pet Photographer?  There are those who specialize in pet photography who go out and do shoots of people's animals and family members at events and at their homes, as well as those who do shoots for websites and trade magazines.  If you are really good at timing the shot and capturing the personality of the animals you are working with, then you will probably be successful.  Practice on your own poodle or pet and make some homemade holiday cards and sell them to people you know.
Another idea is to make your own home cooked pet treats.  Look around and you will probably see that there are a lot of pet bakeries that have opened up their doors for business.  I know of several and there are dozens of such businesses in Manhattan, in New York.  Are you a good cook and like to bake homemade treats?  Why not come up with some good recipes for dogs and have a little pet treat business?   You can distribute them to your local pet stores or grooming salons.  There is always a need for healthy snacks for poodles and people like to buy quality treats.

Working With Poodles As A Trainer

Becoming a dog trainer or a trainer who specializes in Poodles could be a great career.  I know that my dog trainer is as busy as she can be, dealing with dozens of animals each and every week.  She goes out to the home and sometimes they come to her for classes in groups.  My wife and I took our miniature poodle to a group class many times, when she was a puppy.  You can make some good money as a trainer. 

Of course, you will need to study and go through training yourself to acquire all of the skills necessary.  You will also likely need a dog trainer certification, although it may not be required, depending on where you live.  Most dog trainers are basically self-taught and since it is a "service-based" vocation, you will be dealing with people as much as you will be dealing with dogs.
Doggy Day Care is another way to make a living and still be around the animals you love.  You can begin by working at a local doggy day care facility in your area and if you really are ambitious, you can decide to eventually start your own doggy day care business or start one with a business partner.

Becoming a Pet Sitter is another way to break into the dog business.  Look into what the requirements are about bonding and insurance and find out what you need to do.  I know of a former vet tech, who is doing extremely well with his dog and cat sitting business.  He's so busy, it has become a full time deal with many clients and repeat clients coming to him for his pet sitting services.

As you can see, Having A Career Working With Poodles and other animals can be the opening for a rewarding and lucrative future.  And you will be doing what you love, which is being around animals.

What to do if your Poodle eats the cat poop

A reader recently asked me about What to do if your Poodle eats the cat poop.  Maybe you don't have a cat, but it's very common among pet owners with a dog and a cat.  Poodles and other dogs actually like to eat the cat's feces.  Apparently it has a high fat content and is somehow tasty to a lot of puppies and dogs.

Keeping our mini poodle out of the litter pan was a full time job for a while

When we first got our miniature poodle and she was a young puppy, she discovered that there were these strange "goodies" to be gotten out of the litter.  We kept trying to move the litter pan around and put a lid on it, but Lucy, being such a small poodle, she was able to get through the small opening.  There are reasons why dogs and poodles may be drawn to consuming cat feces.  Here's a possible explanation from The Dog Trainer website.

Why Do Dogs Eat Other Animals' Poop?

Cat feces probably attracts dogs because cat food is higher in fat and protein than dog food, and consequently cat feces is too. As for why dogs like horse and cow manure and goose droppings, your guess is as good as mine. Dogs like plenty of things we humans don’t – when was the last time you rolled in a dead squirrel, grinning your fool head off the whole time? My best guess is that dogs just plain find feces tasty.
Eating Feces Can Be a Sign of Illness

Not all coprophagy is normal or harmless.  Dogs who suffer from malabsorption syndromes, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, sometimes eat stool, including their own. They may be trying recover the nutrients they can’t absorb in normal digestion.

Some horrible nutrition studies have been done on dogs; I’ll skip the details. Let’s just say that coprophagy might develop in a dog with a history of severe nutritional deficiency.(2)  “She’s eating a low-quality diet” is often thrown around as an explanation for a pet dog’s coprophagy, and maybe these studies are the ultimate source of that idea. I have to admit I’m a bit obsessive about my dogs’ food, but leery though I am of most commercial diets I sincerely doubt they’re anything like what the dogs in these studies got. All the same, if your dog eats her own and other dogs’ poop, and you’re buying the 50-pound sacks of whatever chow is cheapest at your local warehouse store, food of better quality might be worth a try.

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Our vet assured us that it wasn't anything to worry about and that Lucy was not going to get sick.
Although, he did say to try to discourage her from getting at the cat box.

Poodle Safety Tips For Your Cookout

Memorial day starts off the season for backyard barbecues and cookouts so here are some important Poodle Safety Tips For Your Cookout to keep in mind. Poodle Safety Tips For A Barbecue We found some good advice in a post on Petside.com about making sure your pets and pooches are safe during the holiday festivities. Here is some of what they had to say.
1. Don't let your pets taste any of the food.
Dr. Louis Murray, Director of Medicine and Interim Director of the ASPCA Bergh memorial Animal Hospital in New York City, explains, "Pets are very sensitive to changes in their diets." To make things worse, pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas, is often caused when pets eat "greasy, spicy, fatty foods--exactly what people eat at barbecues," says Dr. Murray.
"Remember," she says, "even if you are conscientious about not giving your pet barbecue food, you can't control your guests, especially children. It's almost impossible to resist when a dog begs, especially if it's not your dog." So, even though it seems like a bummer, your pet is better off in a bedroom, with an air conditioner, some cold water, and the door closed, safe and sound, away from all that food and temptation.

2. Keep pets away from the garbage.

Barbecues on Memorial Day and other holidays often lead to trash bags full of bones and other unsafe items that are extremely attractive to pets, says Dr. Murray.

5 More Memorial Day Safety Tips

If your dog chews on real bones, especially cooked bones, which break more easily--bones and bone fragments may become lodged in his palate, esophagus, stomach, or intestines, causing pain and frequently requiring surgery. Bones can even pierce pets' digestive tracts and cause a serious abdominal infection called peritonitis.

Source

If you keep in mind these Poodle Safety Tips For Your Cookout you will have a happy healthy pet during the cookout season. Another important tip is to avoid taking your dog to any fireworks displays and keep them inside if you should use any fireworks in your own back yard.

Poodle Ear Cleaning And Hair Plucking

Poodle Ear Cleaning And Hair Plucking needs to be done regularly for your poodle's ear health. The ear canal is a dark, warm and moist environment and is prone to ear infections unless steps are taken to prevent this from happening.
The best and simplest method is to simply pluck a few hairs at a time from the ears while your dog is laying on it's side. Do not try to get rid of more than a hair or two at a time. Otherwise it can cause the ears to bleed and it is also very painful.
If you have a Poodle, whether it is a toy, miniature or standard, it is very important that Cleaning Your Poodle Ears is a regular part of your routine each month. If you are getting your dog or dogs groomed each month, as I tend to do, make sure that the groomer is checking the poodle's ears for hair and removing all of it. In between grooming appointments, you may find that the hair is growing back so quickly that you have to keep up with it at home more than once a month.
Get into the habit of checking your poodle's ears frequently, just to look inside the ear and give it a smell. Look for any signs of infection or dark brown discharge. If the ears smell very bad or you do see any discharge, you should call the vet and have it checked right away. Another sign that your pup may have some ear problems is if he or she is scratching the ears often or holding it's head to the side often. Poodle Ear Cleaning And Hair Plucking After you have gotten rid of the hair in the ears, you want to use a cotton ball and gently wipe and clean the inside of the ear. I do not suggest using a q-tip because there is the possibility of damaging the ear or the eardrum. Just use a cotton ball with a few drops of a cleaning solution. Some suggest rubbing alcohol, but this may be too harsh. You can dry a few drops of white vinegar mixed in with a cup of water and just swab the ears to clean them.
Symptoms of a problem: If your dog has a brown material in the ear, shakes its head regularly and even cries when the head is shaken then suspect an infection or worse yet, a foxtail in the ear. The ear may smell bad as well. You may need veterinary help to get the problem under control. Treatment of infections: If your dog has a mild infection it can usually be cleared up by cleansing the ear and putting a drying agent into the ear twice a day for about a week. If there is hair in the canal you must remove it. If the problem is not resolved or gets worse you will need to see your Veterinarian . If your dog has frank pus in the ear then you should immediately seek veterinary help and not delay with the above series of steps. Before any antibiotics, either systemically or topically, are used a culture must be taken to be sure that the antibiotic is the correct one for that particular infection. Be VERY careful of what antibiotics are used as many can damage the hearing of your dog. Be sure to discuss this with your veterinarian. Some of the topical drugs often induce allergies so also discuss this with your veterinarian. Most of the "mycins" can quickly damage hearing.
Allergies: Some dogs have multiple skin allergies, allergic diarrhea, flea allergies, and some even have frequent sneezing and scratching. This type of dog frequently also has a chronic ear problem. The ear leathers may be red and itchy. There may even be hives on the ears. If this is the case you need to find what your dog is allergic to, be it an environmental problem or a food or they type of shampoo you are using on the dog, or a flea product. You may need the help of a Veterinary Dermatologist. As long as your dog has a topical allergy problem you will not be able to clear up the irritated ear problem.
Fungus infections: Because the ear canal is dark and damp some dogs develop a chronic fungus infection. This should NOT be treated with steroids, as it will make the fungus infection worse. Some veterinarians attempt to treat an allergic dermatitis with steroids and this usually results in an overgrowth of fungus in the ear. The treatment of a fungus infection is dry, dry, dry, and then perhaps a topical fungus medicine. Usually keeping the ear DRY and acidic will clear up the fungus infection.
For the serious chronic ear infection it may be necessary to put the dog on a rigorous program of twice a day cleansing with TRIS-EDTA solution mixed with an antibiotic such as Baytril plus systemic antibiotic for as long as as six weeks. Your veterinarian may recommend a short course of topical steroid drops to reduce the inflammation and swelling so that the dog will be more comfortable until the infection gets under control. Another good topical ear drop that is in use has a combination of antibiotic and silver such as "Baytril otic".
Swimming and bathing: If your dog loves the water make sure that after every session of swimming you clean the ears and put a drying agent into them. If you keep your dog with long thick ear hair, then you must be sure that the ear hair is also dry when you put the drying agent into the ear canal. When I bathe my dogs I always pour dilute shampoo into the ear canals, massage the ears and head and then rinse very well with the spray nozzle. I find that this REALLY cleans out the ears and I have not had an ear infection since starting the routine of shampooing into the ear canals and then using the Ear Relief Wash followed up by the Ear Relief Dry.
See the original article here
The information in the paragraphs above comes from parispoodles.com and should provide some additional tips and helpful advice on Poodle ear cleaning and hair plucking, and why it is so important.

Live longer and better with a Poodle

It is true! You will probably live longer and better with a Poodle, than without one. Having a pet like a poodle or another kind of a dog will offer you more than just a sweet pair of eyes looking up at you in the morning. Studies have actually shown that growing up with pets can help reduce the risk of allergies to an adult later on in life. Live longer and better with a Poodle "The old thinking was that if your family had a pet, the children were more likely to become allergic to the pet. And if you came from an allergy-prone family, pets should be avoided," says researcher James E. Gern, MD, a pediatrician at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. However, a growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma, he tells WebMD. In his recent study, Gern analyzed the blood of babies immediately after birth and one year later. He was looking for evidence of an allergic reaction, immunity changes, and for reactions to bacteria in the environment. If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immune system activation. See the original story here I can easily say that I am more likely to live longer and better with a Poodle than without one. My poodle gives me so many gifts and shares love with everyone she encounters. I am definitely getting lots of walks and fresh air with her. I know it's a win-win situation for all of us, her included. I love my poodle and am grateful for her.

Poodle Mix Dogs Are A Better Choice For People With Allergies

Of all of the different hybrid dogs around these days, Poodle Mix Dogs Are A Better Choice For People With Allergie. Over the last several years, we have seen a huge increase in cross-breeding of dog breeds including many poodle-mix varieties. The reason behind this is partly due to finding ideal mix breeds which are better suited to dog owners who have allergies to dander. While no one particular dog breed is completely allergen free, there are breeds which are hypoallergenic, meaning that they are much less allergenic to those who suffer from allergic reactions to dogs. When it is time to decide on which kind of dog to get, you can discuss the issues with friends who are fellow dog owners who also suffer from allergies, as well as your veterinarian or your allergist and doctor.

Poodle Mix Dogs Are A Better Choice For People With Allergies

The hypoallergenic breeds my clients most frequently choose are the Poodle (all sizes), Bichon Frise, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso and West Highland White Terrier. In the past 10 years, I have also seen a huge increase in the breeding and ownership of “poodle-hybrid” dogs like the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, Cockapoo, Malti-Poo, Shih-Poo, etc. It has become very popular for a breeder to cross the low-shedding poodle with another purebred dog in an attempt to offer a “designer” hypoallergenic pet. The Labradoodle was originally bred in 1988 to create a guide dog suitable for people with dander allergies. Cockapoo’s (a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix) have been around since the 1960s, but most of the other designer dogs are newer and sometimes unpredictable. Breeders hope for low-shedding puppies with the best traits of both breeds, but this does not always happen. If you are interested in a hybrid dog, be sure to choose a reputable breeder that understands genetics and the health and temperament issues of both breeds and the puppies they produce. Always “do your homework” when considering any pet – especially when you have allergies and are looking for a hypoallergenic purebred or hybrid dog. Ask a prospective breeder if they will let you “borrow” an adult dog or pay a visit to their home or kennel. If possible, try spending time with a mature dog or the puppies’ parents and relatives before committing to ownership. Remember, a puppy’s coat and temperament can be very different once it grows older. Original source for this article here Over the last decade or more, the experience of thousands of dog owners has proven that Poodle Mix Dogs Are A Better Choice For People With Allergies. The popularity of so many of the poodle mixes like the malti-poo, goldendoodle and cockapoo have made this more than obvious. They shed less, have hair instead of fur and are, for the most part, almost always great dogs with terrific personalities.

Are human probiotics safe to give to my Poodle?

We all know about probiotics and how they help keep a healthy balance of intestinal flora in the gut. But some readers are asking the question Are human probiotics safe to give to my Poodle? It is safe to give your poodle some of the same probiotics that you are using, however, the digestive system and the strains of bacteria differ from those of humans to some degree. Dogs have certain strains of bacteria that humans do not have. That said, probiotics are great for helping your pooch to maintain a healthy balance in the digestive tract and help with treating conditions from flatulence and diarrhea as well as certain skin problems.
Are human probiotics safe to give to my Poodle?
Here is an excerpt from dog-nutrition-advice.com on the subject of giving human probiotics to your poodle.
For the most part, probiotics serve the same function in both dogs and humans. The differences lie in the divergent structure of canine and human digestive tracts, and the different nutrient needs of the two species. Thus, while most probiotics that are beneficial to humans are also beneficial to dogs and vice versa, there are a few cases where particular strains are more helpful to one species or the other. For this reason, even though human probiotic sources will almost certainly be beneficial to dogs as well, canines may derive the greatest benefit from a high quality probiotic supplement formulated specifically for dogs. To give a specific example, the probiotic bacteria Enterococcus faecium has been proven to enhance immune response in puppies if given from the time of weaning to one year of age, and almost certainly provides a superior immune response for adult dogs as well. For this reason, many well-respected probiotic supplement brands such as Protexin® make sure to include Enterococcus faecium among their ingredients. There is no such research supporting this particular use for humans, and in fact Enterococci bacteria have produced an opportunistic antibiotic-resistant strain that occasionally appears with harmful effects in human hospitals. This does not indicate, however, that the bacteria are harmful when given in probiotic form to dogs or humans, as no problems have ever been reported from either use. You can see the original article here You can definitely give your poodle some of your own human probiotics. Of course, it's best if you use a canine variety which you can probably get from your vet. But no poodle has been harmed from being given human grade probiotic supplements as far as I know.

Your Bag Of Dog Poop Could Be Worth $2000 In Taiwan

Is it true that In Taiwan, Your Poodle's Poop Could Be Worth Money? Well, actually, the answer is yes and here is why. A recent story from the Tribune reported that this July, New Taipei City will offer residents a chance to enter a drawing to win money. What's the catch? They have to scoop up their dogs poop and bring it in to collect one ticket for a chance to win in the drawing. Each person will get one lottery ticket in exchange for the dog poop they have collected. The top prize is actually one gold ingot worth around $2000 bucks, according to the story. You can read the story in the Tribune's own website by visiting their web page here at: http://tribune.com.pk/story/377807/taiwan-city-to-offer-dog-poop-lottery/ So, essentially, that is how In Taiwan, Your Poodle's Poop Could Be Worth Money. Naturally, you have to win the lottery in order to really get paid, but what a great idea it is. I'm sure there is plenty of dog waste that needs to be bagged up and properly disposed of. I know that there are people who don't do their part right here in my neighborhood where I live in New Jersey. Maybe they should start a program like that here, too!

How To Get My Poodle To Stop Barking So Much

A lot of people ask the question How To Get My Poodle To Stop Barking So Much and I wanted to share some good advice. The good folks at the Humane Society have some very good suggestions and training advice as to how to go about teaching your poodle not to bark the right way. One problem is that a lot of people don't realize they are actually teaching their dog to bark. If your poodle is barking in the crate and to quite them down, you give them food or let them out of the crate to shut them up, they will think that if they bark enough, they will get what they want. The reward is associated with their barking, instead of the other way around. Here are some tips on teaching and training your poodle or dog to eliminate or limit their barking from the Humane Society. Ignore your dog's barking for as long as it takes him to stop. That means don't give him any attention at all while he's barking. Your attention only rewards him for being noisy. Don't talk to him, don't touch him, and don't even look at him. When he finally quiets, even to take a breath, reward him with a treat. To be successful with this method: * You must wait as long as it takes for him to stop barking. If he barks for an hour and you finally get so frustrated that you yell at him to be quiet, the next time he'll probably bark for an hour and a half. He learns that if he just barks long enough you'll give him attention. * Be consistent. You must ignore the barking EVERY time. Example: barking when confined If your dog is in his crate or confined to a room behind a baby gate or other barrier, he may bark because he wants to be with you. * Turn your back and ignore him. * Whenever he stops barking, turn, praise him, and give him a treat. * Make a game of it. As he catches on that being quiet gets him a treat, lengthen the amount of time he must remain quiet before being rewarded. * Start small. Reward him for being quiet for just a second or two. Work up to longer periods of quiet. * Keep the game fun by varying the amount of time. Sometimes reward him after 5 seconds, then 12 seconds, then 3 seconds, then 20 seconds, and so on. Desensitization and counter conditioning Gradually get your dog accustomed to whatever is causing him to bark. Start with the stimulus (the thing that makes him bark) at a distance. It must be far enough away that he doesn't bark when he sees it. Feed him lots of good treats. Move the stimulus a little closer (perhaps as little as a few inches or a few feet to start) and feed treats. If the stimulus moves out of sight, stop giving your dog treats. You want your dog to learn that the appearance of the stimulus leads to good things (treats!). Example: barking at dogs Dogs that are afraid of other dogs will often bark at them. * Have a friend with a dog stand out of sight far enough away that you know your dog won't bark at the other dog. * As the friend and dog come into view, start feeding your dog lots of very yummy treats (tiny bits of cooked chicken usually work well). Keep feeding treats until the friend and dog are out of sight. * Stop feeding treats as soon as the friend and dog disappear from view. * Ask your friend and her dog to gradually walk closer. * Don't try to progress too quickly; it may take days or weeks before your dog can pay attention to you and the treats without barking at the other dog. * Contact a behavior professional for assistance if you need help. Teach The Quiet Command It may sound nonsensical, but to stop your dog from barking, first teach him to bark on command. * Give your dog the command to "speak." Have someone immediately make a noise—such as knocking on the door—that is sure to make your dog bark. * Let him bark two or three times, then stick a tasty treat in front of his nose. * When he stops barking to sniff the treat, praise him and give him the treat. Repeat until he starts barking as soon as you say "speak." Once your dog can reliably bark on command, teach the "quiet" command. * Start in a calm environment with no distractions. * Tell him to "speak." When he starts barking, say "quiet" and stick a treat in front of his nose. * Praise him for being quiet and give him the treat. Example: Intruder at the Door When the doorbell rings, your dog alerts you to the presence of an "intruder" by barking wildly. Once you've taught your dog the "quiet" command in a calm environment, practice in increasingly distracting situations until your dog can immediately stop barking when asked to, even when that "intruder" arrives at the door. See the original post here If you are consistent and patient, these tips and training techniques will definitely help solve the problem of your poodle's barking over time. Just don't expect miracles overnight. It took time for your dog's behavior to set in and it takes time to correct it, so be persistent and be patient.