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 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, as well as 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 healthy 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 is designed for toy dogs.It is easier for your puppy's tiny teeth to deal with a 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 about 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 it more difficult to process reduced levels of minerals.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 the addition of 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 can be more appealing to toy breeds.If you can, start your toy poodle pup on a dry diet.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.
Your dog needs to be fed more frequently when it is a puppy 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 the rest of your life.Feed your senior dog 2 meals per day.A toy poodle's small stomach capacity means he prefers to eat smaller meals.
Step 4: Provide your dog with water.
Have a bowl of water for your dog.The bowl needs to be cleaned every few days.
Step 5: Keep your dog's coat clean.
There is a curly coat on poodles.The way in which poodles shed hair is different to other breeds.Their hair gets caught in the rest of the coat.poodles are very likely to get knots and tangles.Puppies have a soft coat, which is replaced by adult fur around 6-9 months of age.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.
You can find a comb or brush at a pet store.You can 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 one another.
Step 9: A section by section.
Hold the coat between your fingers.The coat should be combed by brushing from root to tip.Don't forget to comb behind the ears and under the tummy for the entire coat.
Step 10: Your dog's hair needs to be clipped 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.
Toy poodles have canals that are very hairy.It's like wearing furry ear plugs all the time, because the hair on their body extends down into 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 chances of ear infections.Some argue that plucking hair can cause your dog's ears to be sore.
Step 12: Listen to the ears 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.
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 known for their 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.Dry food can be fed 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: Dog toothpaste can be used.
Never use human toothpaste on a dog.The dog can get upset if he swallows toothpaste.
Step 16: You should brush the outside of the 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 let you brush his teeth.The back of the mouth is where the chewing teeth are located.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 the 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 should 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: Get your dog wormed and treated for parasites.
Responsible dog owners get their pets wormed and treated for parasites.Even if you carry your toy poodle everywhere, you need to have a vaccine.Parvoviruses are caused by hardy viruses that can attach to your shoes.They can still pose a risk to the most pampered poodles.Talk to your vet about implanting a chip in your dog.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 toy poodles are prone to in later life.The female's hormones can cause diabetes.It is 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 can 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.Discuss it with your vet.It is a good idea to discuss your dog's health with your vet.
Step 22: Your dog should be monitored for illnesses.
Toy poodles live well 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.There are signs that indicate a problem, such as increased thirst, coughing, lack of energy, bad breath, and weight loss.Speak to your vet if you see any of these symptoms.
Step 23: Train your dog to stay.
Toy poodles like the stimulation of dog training.Give your dog commands to sit and stay when 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 your dog is called, train it to come.
When you are 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.Encourage him to do something good by ignoring the bad behavior.Give him a treat when you call him.
Step 26: Your dog should be trained to spend time on his own.
Toy poodles can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone.At an early age, train your puppy to spend time on his own.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: Every day, play with your dog.
If you want to play with your toy poodle, put aside at least 20 minutes twice a day.Provide your dog with dog 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.