Poodle: reward calm standing on a secure grooming surface, one handling step at a time.
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Poodle: reward calm standing on a secure grooming surface, one handling step at a time.
Breed profile
Training group
Gundogs and retrievers
Origin
The Poodle originated in Europe as a water-hunting dog.
Standard — shoulder height
45–60 cm
Standard — weight
20–32 kg
Miniature — shoulder height
28–38 cm
Miniature — weight
7–8 kg
Coat
Curly coat that does not shed seasonally and requires regular clipping
Coat care
Lifetime grooming makes cooperative handling a primary training requirement: condition brushing and combing, standing on a grooming surface, dryer sound and airflow, and clipper sound and touch in separate voluntary steps.
Drive keywords
Problem-solving · Cooperation with people · Retrieving
Handling practice
Make the grooming surface itself a trained station: approach, step on, stand voluntarily, accept a brief body touch and step off before restraint is needed. · Condition brushing and combing, dryer sound and airflow, and clipper sound and body contact separately; use tools safely and coordinate the progression with a cooperative groomer.
General Australian reference ranges only; Standard and Miniature Poodles differ greatly in size, and individual dogs vary.
05
Development has a clock
The 8–16 week window
Between eight and sixteen weeks, the puppy is learning what is safe, ordinary and worth avoiding.
You cannot pause this developmental period. The goal is not maximum exposure; it is carefully controlled experience at an intensity the puppy can process.
Development timeline
0–3 weeksNeonatal period
Basic sensory and physical development.
3–8 weeksDog-to-dog socialisation
Early dog-to-dog learning begins with littermates and stable adult dogs and continues after the puppy goes home.
8–16 weeksHuman and environmental socialisation sensitive period
Build calm, positive or neutral associations with ordinary life.
About 8–11 weeksFirst fear period
One intense fright can create a durable fear memory.
4–6 monthsTeething
Chewing needs increase as adult teeth replace puppy teeth.
6–12 monthsAdolescence
Expect a second fear period and a temporary “selective hearing” phase.
Sleep requirement
18–20 hours every day at eight weeks
Sleep loss often intensifies frantic biting, zooming and difficulty settling. Use scheduled, protected naps; see Chapters 7 and 19.
Attention span
2–3 minutes, 4–6 times a day
Several tiny successful sessions teach more than one exhausted 30-minute session.
Training with FluffyWA
Day school, board & train and private sessions are quoted after a chat, and boarding or daycare can be booked online with live prices.
