Toy poodles are delightful, sweet, and intelligent characters who thrive on attention and love to be at their owner's side.They are hardy little dogs that can live well into their teens, but in the autumn they are likely to need veterinary attention to ensure they live to a ripe old age.Taking care of a toy poodle means giving your dog attention, and having the financial ability to provide for her needs such as regular grooming, health care in old age and preventative treatments.
Step 1: For your dog's age, choose a food.
Dogs need different levels of nutrition depending on their age.There are different types of dog food.Puppies need more calories for growth and more calcium for their bones.If your toy poodle is a puppy under 12 months of age, you should feed it dog food that is specially designed for puppies.These are usually called puppy food or growth foods.Puppy food can be used for toy dogs.It is easier for your puppy's tiny teeth to deal with the smaller kibble size.Feed your dog food formulated for adult dogs when it is about 12 months old.They should be on this food until they are 7 years old.An adult dog needs a balanced diet.When your adult toy poodle is 7 years old, switch to a senior food.The kidneys finds reduced level of minerals such asphosphate more difficult to process.If you switch to a senior food, you can help protect your pet's renal function.
Step 2: Pick a completely dry food diet.
The options for feeding are a complete dry diet or a wet diet of canned food with mixer biscuits.chewing on a biscuit helps keep the dog's teeth clean.The sticky canned or pouched food sticks to teeth and encourages plaque formation, so wet foods are more appealing to toy breeds.Start your toy poodle pup on a dry diet to promote dental health.It's a good idea to look for a food that is designed for toy breeds.
Step 3: Depending on your dog's age, schedule the feedings.
A puppy needs to be fed more frequently than an adult because it has a smaller stomach.Feed your toy poodle puppy small meals.The general rule is 4 meals a day for up to 3 months of age, 3 for 6 months, and 2 for 12 months through adulthood.Feed your adult or senior dog 2 meals a day.A toy poodle's small stomach capacity means he likes to eat smaller meals more often.
Step 4: Provide your dog with plenty of water.
You should always have a bowl of water for your dog.The bowl needs to be cleaned every few days.
Step 5: Keep your dog's coat dry.
A curly coat is what poodles have.The way in which poodles shed hair is different to other breeds.Their hair gets tangled with the rest of the coat.poodles are very likely to get knots and tangles.From 6-9 months of age, puppies have a soft coat, which is replaced by adult fur.A full coat change can take until the pet is 18 months old.
Step 6: Your dog needs to be groomed every day.
Every day, take a few minutes to groom your dog.You will be giving him some much-needed attention if you can decongest his hair.
Step 7: The comb or brush is stiff.
A comb or brush can be found at a pet store.You could also use both, using a comb on certain parts of the dog's body and a brush on other parts.
Step 8: The dog has a coat.
Before you start combing, make a mist of water out of your toy poodle's coat.It will help avoid static build-up.It can help keep dry hair out of each other.
Step 9: A section by section.
Hold the coat between your fingers.The coat should be combed from root to tip.Don't forget to comb behind the ears and under the tummy for the entire coat.
Step 10: You should clip your dog's hair every few weeks.
A toy poodle has hair that grows all the time.If you want to keep your dog's coat, aim to get the hair clipped every 3-6 weeks.This is usually done at a dog grooming parlor, but with access to good dog clippers, some practice, and plenty of time, you can learn to clip your own dog.
Step 11: Take out your dog's ear hair.
There is a tendency for toy poodles to have hairy canals.It's like wearing furry ear plugs all the time, because the hair on their body can plug the ear canal.Check with your vet for an appropriate plucking schedule.Some experts have differing opinions about plucking this hair.The argument for hair plucking is that it allows better air circulation and reduces the chance of ear infections.Some argue that plucking hair can cause your dog's ears to be sore.
Step 12: The ears should be monitored for problems.
If you do not trim the hair on your dog's ears, you should keep a close eye on him.Ear infections can be caused by a bad smell, thick black wax, or discharge from the ear, as well as a foreign object in the Ear.
Step 13: If you see a problem, go to your vet.
If your dog has a problem with his ear, you should ask your vet to check for a health problem.They can tell you if you should plucking the ear hair more or less often.
Step 14: There is a toothbrush on your dog's teeth.
Toy poodles are prone to dental problems.Gum recession and tooth loss can be caused by this build-up.To clean his teeth, use a soft toothbrush.You can get a finger brush from your vet or a major pet store.Dry food can be given to your dog.More dental problems can be created by eating wet food.If your dog eats wet food, it's a good idea to brush his teeth every day.
Step 15: Use dog toothpaste.
Dog toothpaste can be purchased at pet stores.The dog can get an upset stomach if he swallows toothpaste.
Step 16: The outside of the teeth have teeth.
Use a small amount of toothpaste.You should position the dog's head so that he can brush his teeth.
Step 17: Every day, give your dog a dental chew.
Give your dog a dental chew if he doesn't allow you to brush his teeth.The chewing teeth are at the back of the mouth.It is worth investing time and effort into keeping your pet's teeth clean in order to reduce the number of dental cleanings.
Step 18: Younger dogs should be taken to the vet annually.
Keeping an eye on your dog's health requires regular visits to the vet.Every year is a good time to visit your vet for dogs under 7 years old.The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and treat your dog for parasites and worms.
Step 19: Older dogs need to be taken to the vet every 6 months.
Dogs over the age of 7 should visit the vet every 6 months.The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and treat parasites and worms.
Step 20: Your dog should be wormed and treated for parasites.
Responsible dog owners get their pets wormed and treated for parasites.Even if you carry your toy poodle around, it's still important to have a vaccine.Parvoviruses are caused by hardy viruses that can attach to your shoes.They pose a risk to the most pampered poodles.If you want to have a chip in your dog, talk to your vet.If the dog gets lost, you can use a chip to find him.
Step 21: There is a female toy poodle.
Diabetes is one of the health problems that toy poodles are prone to in later life.Diabetes can be triggered by the hormones associated with estrous.It's wise to have your female toy poodle neutered.Spaying before the female's second heat reduces her risk of developing mammary cancer in later life.Toy poodles live into their teens.Each time a bitch has a season, it weakens the lining of her womb and makes her more likely to develop a pyometra, a potentially life-threatening womb infection.When anesthesia can pose a higher risk, spaying her removes the possibility of needing emergency surgery in later life.The health benefits of Neutering a male toy poodle are not the same.Neutering a male is done to prevent unwanted breeding and to control behavioral issues such as aggression.Discuss it with your vet.It is a good idea to discuss your dog's health with the vet.
Step 22: Your dog should be monitored for illnesses.
Toy poodles can live into double figures.As they age, they tend to suffer from health issues.Diabetes, poor teeth and heart disease are the most common.Once identified, these issues can be managed in order to help your pet live a long and active life.Increased thirst, urinary accidents, coughing, lack of energy, bad breath, difficulty chewing, and weight loss are some of the signs to watch for.Speak to your vet if you see any of these symptoms.
Step 23: Your dog should be trained to sit and stay.
Toy poodles love the stimulation of dog training.Give your dog commands to sit and stay while you feed him.Put the dish down when he sits and stays.The dog will soon be trained to sit and stay without food.
Step 24: When called, train your dog to come.
When you're at home, teach your puppy his name for at least a couple of minutes every hour.Call his name.Give him a treat when he responds and runs to you.
Step 25: Reward good behavior.
Reward-based training means ignoring bad behavior and rewarding the good.Your attention is a reward in itself, so don't be tempted to scold your puppy.Ignore the bad behavior and encourage him to do something good.Give him a treat if you call him to you.
Step 26: Your dog should be trained to spend time on his own.
When left alone, toy poodles can suffer from separation anxiety.Train your puppy to spend time on his own at an early age.It can be as simple as leaving him in his crate for ten minutes while you stay in another room, or as complex as getting him used to being home alone.
Step 27: Play with your dog.
If you want to play with your toy poodle, put aside at least 20 minutes a day.Provide your dog with puzzles to keep him occupied.These can be found in major pet retailers or online.Many toy poodles enjoy agility training on circuits adapted to small breeds.