Poodle [With 2 DVDs]

K9 Expert Education 4
By Allan Reznik, Editor-at-large, Dog Fancy magazine

People Pleasers 6
The poodle — in all his sizes — makes a great addition to any family.

Breed Profiles 19
Our simple one-page guides give you all the necessary information about
the Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodle — in 300 words or less!

The Poodle’s Past 22
The poodle is the toast of several countries — created in Germany, refined in France and mastered in the United States.

Finding a Puppy 34
Find out how to choose a reputable breeder and pick a healthy puppy, or maybe you’d
like to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue organization. Either way,
there are plenty of poodles out there waiting for homes.

Home Essentials 48
You can’t bring home a dog and hope everything will take care
of itself. You need to puppy-proof, or poodle-proof, your house.
Plus, you need to make sure that you have all the things he
requires to be comfortable, such as bedding, toys and lots more.

Successful Housetraining 64
Your first job is getting your poodle to do the doo where you want him to.
Using a crate — aka a modern-day den — will expedite the process.

Vet Visits and Everyday Care 76
Selecting a vet means doing some research and planning your poodle’s first vet visit.
Also, learn what to do when everyday bumps and bruises come about.

On the Topic of Health 88
Learn how to deal with external and internal parasites, skin problems, and common
medical and behavioral conditions.
Nutritional Notes100
With proper knowledge and know-how, you can feed your poodle a sound diet so he won’t end up a pudgy pooch.

Primping Your Poodle112
From nail clipping instruction to brushing and bathing basics, we’ll have your poodle looking proper.

Time to Train 126
Every poodle needs to learn the basics of sit, down, stay and come, and
additional training will make your dog well behaved without hassle.

Changing Bad Behavior 140
A well-behaved poodle isn’t born that way. When behavioral problems arise, prompt training will turn bad habits into appropriate behavior. If you teach your dog that there are better ways to get attention, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.

For the Fun of It 154
The energy of the poodle calls for plenty of exercise and attention, and his competitive
spirit makes him perfect for dog sports, from conformation to agility.

Resources 166

Index 174