Training My Poodle

United States
November 16, 2007 8:56pm CST
I have a poodle given to me by a friend who had too many dogs. He is 2 years old and pretty smart for the most part. When my friend had him, she also had 3 big dogs and they used to always take his toys. So he is a bit nervous of a dog. When I take him outside to potty and then I call him, he likes to keep walking as if he doesn't hear me. And of course if someone else walks outside, he notices them and will run to them either barking or jumping on them. It drives me nuts. So I tried to start training him and when I do it, he looks so miserable. I have tried and tried and he is not wiling to do it and he doesn't seem happy to obey. In fact, he looks like I asked him to work for free! So I am writing to find out what I can do to train him. Or are poodles hard to train? I used to own a German Shephard and it loved being trained and following commands. But this poodle acts as if taking commands is humiliating.
2 responses
copperkitten
@copperkitten (3473)
• United States
17 Nov 07
You have to be consistant with him. You need to teach him his boundries. Take him out on a lead an walk him around the property. Do this a few times and then put down the leash and have him follow you. Correct him if he sniffs the neighbors yard or goes over the boundry this way he knows where he can and cant be. Then you need to have a neighboor or family member walk across the street past him. On a line hold him. When He tries to run give a tug and correct him. Over time and practice he will understand. Be Calm But assertive. Tell him what you want and he will obey. Practice all the time. If you cant get him to stay in the yard them maybe try an electric underground fence. The dog wears a collar and if he crossed the line he gets a tiny shock, enough to tell him to back up. It wont hurt him. Practice is all I can tell you. Its hard and alot of work but if you stick to it you will have a great obediant dog in the end!
kurtbiewald
@kurtbiewald (2625)
• United States
17 Nov 07
some dogs are smart and take well to teaching and training