Caring for Your Standard Poodle in Cold Weather

Rachael Sann | Mar 12, 2024

Cold weather shouldn’t prevent you and your standard poodle from enjoying fresh air and the great outdoors.

Living in a colder climate with your standard poodle just means you’ll have to take a few extra precautions to ensure your pup, its paws and its coat are well taken care of so they’re safe, comfortable and healthy! Understanding your poodle’s unique needs prior to spending time outside will help make your experience braving the elements a much more enjoyable one.

Understanding Your Poodle's Coat

Your poodle’s gorgeous coat is more than just a fashion statement. The dense fur of a standard poodle provides insulation during the cold weather months, but it can also unfortunately trap moisture from the cold rain or snow. Trapped moisture can cause your pup discomfort and can lead to chills– neither of which is ideal for your pup (or you!). During the winter, it’s crucial that you take extra care of your poodle’s coat to prevent matting because when the standard poodle’s coat gets matted, the insulating properties are diminished. Talk to your regular groomer about a winter-friendly trim that keeps your poodle warm while minimizing the risk of accumulating snowballs.

Dressing Your Poodle for the Cold Weather

We often see poodles wearing sweaters and jackets during the colder months. While these outfits are adorable, they do serve a purpose that goes beyond fashion. The proper winter gear will enhance the job of your poodle’s coat. Your poodle should be dressed in a jacket or sweater that is water-resistant and insulated. Proper fitting attire for your poodle is also essential! Whatever jacket or sweater you choose for your poodle needs to be fitted enough to keep them warm and dry, while also allowing for full range of movement and comfort. Consider taking your poodle to a store to try on a few outfits to ensure best fit before buying something online.

Protecting Paws from Cold and Salt

While your poodle’s paws are built to withstand some of the cold and moisture they will encounter on a cold, snowy day, your poodle’s paws are not equipped to protect from the harsh chemicals and salt found on neighborhood roads and sidewalks for ice removal. If you live in an area where your poodle will need to walk on public streets or sidewalks rather than a snowy backyard, you might want to invest in some foot protection. Dog boots are a great solution, offering protection as well as traction. However, your poodle might be fussy about putting something on their paws. In that case there are paw balms you can rub onto your pup’s pads to provide a layer of protection from the irritants they might encounter on their walk. Be sure to rinse their paws afterwards to remove residual salt so it’s not seeping into your pup’s paws or tracking through your house.

Adjusting Exercise and Outdoor Time

Cold weather means adjusting the amount of time your poodle spends outdoors. Poodles are highly energetic and love playtime– as it’s essential for their physical and mental wellbeing. However, prolonged exposure to the cold can negatively impact your poodle’s health. If your poodle is used to taking long walks and having lots of outside time, it might be better for you to take more frequent, but much shorter walks. You can help expend their energy by giving them puzzle toys and interactive games. You’ll find that your pup will need exercise and stimulation as much as they always have, but you’ll have to just do it a little differently to help keep your poodle safe from the elements of the colder months.

Diet and Nutrition During Colder Months

Depending on the age of your pup, they might require a dietary adjustment in winter if their activity levels decrease. Keep an eye on your poodle’s weight and if you’re feeling concerned, consult your vet about their dietary needs. Just like humans, hydration is just as important during the winter months, make sure your poodle has constant access to fresh water.

Health Checks and Winter Concerns

Regular vet check-ups are important for monitoring and maintaining your poodle's health, especially in winter. Be on the lookout for signs of hypothermia, such as shivering or lethargy, and seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect your dog is too cold. Work with your vet to see if there are any additional preventative measures you can take based on your pup’s age and unique needs.

Creating a Cozy Indoor Environment

Just like your home is a warm refuge for you, you should make it just as cozy to your pup. Your poodle’s bed should be warm and insulated and should be located away from drafts and doors. If you like to keep your home on the chillier side, keep your pup warm with a cozy indoor sweater. If your home is larger, you might want to consider creating a couple cozy spaces throughout your house so that your pup can be near you and the action of the home while having a warm retreat.

Socialization and Mental Health In The Winter

Winter can be isolating, for both humans and pups. However, it's essential to keep your poodle socially and mentally engaged for the health, happiness and longevity of your poodle . Arrange walks or playdates with other social pups, enroll in indoor doggy classes, or simply spend quality time together at home.

You can help keep your poodle happy and healthy even in colder months.

Even if you and your poodle aren’t big fans of the colder weather, snow and darker days, you both can enjoy quality time together and activities. Sure, extra precautions and planning might be in order, but doing so will allow your pup to engage in much needed exercise in a comfortable way. Remember to speak to your vet for specific questions regarding your poodle’s health and needs.

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5 Things To Remember When Training Your Standard Poodle Puppy

By Rachael Sann • 12 Mar, 2024

Standard poodles are known for their intelligence and their eagerness to learn and please. Properly training your standard poodle will not only make them a better behaved companion, it’s also an important part of their mental health and wellness. While every pup is different, here are five general tips to help you train your standard poodle puppy. 1. Understanding your poodle’s personality: Poodles are highly intelligent and perceptive animals. They are revered for their sharp minds and quick learning abilities. They also sometimes get a bad reputation for being mischievous and naughty. Standard poodles aim to please their owners and they thrive off being challenged. When these pups aren’t getting those needs met, that’s when we tend to see poodles acting “naughty”. Another aspect of a poodle’s personality is their sensitivity. They’re very intune with their owner’s emotions and their environment. This makes a poodle an excellent companion but also means that they require gentle, positive training methods. When it comes to training your puppy, it’s important to take these considerations into account: Your puppy wants to please you – give them a chance to do so Your poodle wants to be challenged – make training a regular part of your day Your mood will affect how your pup responds – make sure you’re in the right headspace before you begin training so they’re not picking up on your worries and stress Your positive reinforcement is what your pup is seeking most – especially when you’re training your poodle, giving lots of praise and love is the best kind of training tool 2. Consistency is Key: When you’re training your poodle, it’s important to be consistent. This will help your pup learn your expectations faster and behave better more of the time. Consistency is important throughout an initial training period as well as in any ongoing training. Standard poodles are quick to pick up on patterns and routines, if their training is consistent and predictable, they will learn much more quickly. Inconsistent training cues, approaches, rewards and corrections can lead to confusion and frustration (for both you and your pup!). Training consistency should look something like this: Use consistent commands – “sit” and “sit down” are the same to us humans but are different to a pup. Pick a command or gesture and stick to it! Your pup will learn faster with less confusion Stick to a predictable routine – standard poodles thrive off of routine. Feeding, walking, playtime and training time should happen roughly at the same time each day to aid in your dog’s overall behavior Involve all family members – ensure each person in the family is aware and uses the commands, rewards and routines accordingly. This way your poodle will receive a unified message about acceptable behavior from all members of the family 3. Positive reinforcement works wonders: When training and working with your standard poodle, it’s important that you’re using positive reinforcement instead of negative, harsh tones or physical redirection. Since standard poodles are always looking to please their owners, the more often you can provide positive feedback for good behavior, the more of it you’ll see! Ways to use positive reinforcement in training Treats – something small and vet approved can work wonders when training. Be sure not to go overboard and maintain a close eye on your pup’s weight Praise – when you sound happy and excited about what your poodle has done, they’re going to make a positive association between their behavior and your happiness Play – standard poodles love to play, it strengthens them physically, mentally and creates a great bond between you and your pup! As these dogs are loyal and strive to keep you happy, any extra playtime they get with you is better than any delicious treat 4. Your pup wants to socialize: Socializing your standard poodle from a young age is important for their development and their well-being. Socialization includes introducing your pup to a variety of people, dogs, other animals and new environments– in a safe and controlled manor. Socializing them helps them to burn energy, use their brains and it also helps them to become well-adjusted as adult dogs. When you’re training your pup, it’s important to incorporate socialization and new experiences so your pup gets practice behaving in different settings. Focusing on this aspect as you train your poodle will help them be more well-rounded and flexible. Tips for socializing your standard poodle Start early – begin socializing your pup as early as you can, this is when they’re most receptive to new experiences Safe and positive experiences – in the earlier days of socialization training, make sure all of the experiences are as safe and positive as they can be. Use treats and praise to reinforce good behavior Gradual exposure – introduce new people, pets and experiences gradually to avoid overwhelming your pup. Start with short and controlled experiences and then over time increase the duration and variables in the interactions. Diverse environments – show your poodle a variety of places: sights, sounds, smells, textures etc. From quiet parks to busy streets, from a path in the woods to an indoor tiled floor Meet different people & different animals – It’s important that you allow your poodle to meet a wide range of people including children, and other folks who might be a little bit more unpredictable. Having your pup interact with other animals is important so when they encounter one unexpectedly, it won’t feel like a surprise. Monitor the reactions throughout socialization –pay attention to your poodle’s reactions. Note if they seem stressed, fearful or worried— and if they are, take a step back and go at a slower pace so they can feel comfortable. It’s also equally important to pay attention to the body language of the people and animals around your dog. If they seem nervous or scared, that’s another cue for you to back away and try again another time 5. It takes patience and persistence: Training your standard poodle, as with anything else in life, takes dedication, practice and persistence. These dogs learn quickly and are excited about a challenge, but each pup is unique and they will have their own pace and learning style. Staying patient and taking the time to really learn your pup’s needs will help you enjoy training more and help you achieve long-term success. Being persistent with your practice will help both you and your pup learn quicker. Important reminders in persistence and patience when it comes to training your pup Patience reduces stress (for you and your poodle) - being patient when you’re training your pup will reduce the amount of stress and pressure you put on yourself AND your dog. Remind yourself that it’s okay if your pup isn’t behaving perfectly all the time, and that each time you train, means you’re one step closer to a better-behaved poodle Patience means trust – giving your dog much deserved patience when training (and throughout the day-to-day) builds trust between you and your poodle. Your dog will always feel safe and loved if you train with patience Set realistic goals – avoid frustration by establishing achievable training goals. Celebrate small victories and adjust your goals accordingly based on your unique poodle Remember - you are learning as much as your pup is, so be kind to both yourself and your poodle. There are long-term benefits that come with a well-trained dog. Your poodle will be your loving companion and roommate for years to come, it’s important to establish a great relationship from the beginning that includes boundaries and love! The more time you spend training your pup the more well-adjusted and well-trained your poodle will be. Your pup will be happier because its physical and cognitive needs will be met, and the bond between you will be strong and continue to grow. Remember to be patient, loving and consistent!