Standard Poodles Puppy Teething

You have your brand new standard poodle puppy, who is probably just eight weeks of age. They have very sharp, needle like milk teeth.

Soon they will loose these baby teeth and replace them with their adult teeth, 42 new ones. Like toddlers, who are teething, puppies will want to mouth and chew anything they can get a hold of...... your new shoes, the car keys, underwear, the newspaper even the skirting of your room. I even had a puppy(GSD) that ate a full packet of birth control pills, and later a different breed puppy (Rotty) that managed to chew through the cord of the bed side lamp. Fortunately I was there when she did this, and she was not harmed other than a mild shock. I learned by experience that pups will chew anything and everything.

There is a method of bringing up your puppy that will prevent these mishaps.....Crate training.

I know.....some people think it is Cruel to place dogs in crates, but dogs are by nature den animals. They like small, dark places and feel secure there. Crate training can be a positive part of your poodle's development.

Placing your standard poodle puppy in a crate while you are unable to supervise the pup keeps him safe and prevents the destruction of your property. Crate training is also a tool to help house train your poodle puppy.

The crate should be a happy place for your standard poodle puppy and should be just large enough for him to turn around in. A few good quality chew toys such as a "Kong", are invaluable in for giving your puppy chewing exercise. Kongs come in various sizes and shapes and can be filled with peanut butter, cheese, or other tidbits which provide hours of stimulating fun for your teething puppy. Rawhide chews, pigs ears and trotters make good chew toys - but please do not leave your puppy alone with these as they may choke on them.

At Avonti our standard poodle puppies also get raw bones; chicken necks, chicken wings, lamb shanks, and lamb flaps to chew on. The puppy gets stimulation and exercise pulling and ripping at these bones.

When your poodle puppy picks up an inappropriate object take it away and give him one of his chew toys. Tell him "good puppy" while he is playing with and chewing his toy. Be consistent; don't let your standard poodle puppy chew your shoe one day and take it away from him the next. Your puppy will soon learn which are his toys and what objects he is not allowed to chew.

You must also teach your puppy not to chew on you! The puppy's mother would teach this to the puppy and as you are replacing her as pack leader you must now teach the puppy appropriate behaviour. I tend to vocalize by saying "Aghh" in a deep growling tone. Give the puppy a toy to chew on instead of your hand. Don't forget to praise you poodle puppy.

Remember consistency and patience will pay off when training your standard poodle puppy. Use a light, happy tone for praise and a deeper, gruff tone to reprimand.

This article was written by Avonti Standard Poodles

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