Getting a new dog, need help

**alfi** · 12-13-2009, 03:51 PM

Oh an add...lol...(about poodles) with a good brushing once every week (or 10 days) they are just fine!!

expatdoggieluv3r · 12-13-2009, 05:18 PM

Oh, another thing about maltese and toy poodles...since they're pretty popular, they've become a dime a dozen with many poorly bred specimens. As a result, they can crop up health issues as well as temperament problems. I've known some really randomly aggressive maltese and toy poodles. I've only been aggressively bitten by three dogs in my life (and I've been around all kinds of dogs)...one was a maltese who bit me when I was a child (and I was a well-behaved kid! the dog was very unpredictable)...and one was a toy poodle whom my friend eventually had to put down not only for temperament issues but plenty of health issues as well. The third was a food-aggressive springer spaniel I was babysitting (none of my own dogs are food aggressive so it was my fault--forgot that some dogs get really sensitive about people touching their toys/food).

I've also known some really sweet, adorable maltese too. So it all depends...increase your chances of getting a nice, healthy dog by researching breeders and visiting their homes to see their dogs.

**alfi** · 12-13-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by expatdoggieluv3r

Oh, another thing about maltese and toy poodles...since they're pretty popular, they've become a dime a dozen with many poorly bred specimens. As a result, they can crop up health issues as well as temperament problems. I've known some really randomly aggressive maltese and toy poodles. I've only been aggressively bitten by two dogs in my life (and I've been around all kinds of dogs)...one was a maltese who bit me when I was a child (and I was a well-behaved kid! the dog was very unpredictable)...and one was a toy poodle whom my friend eventually had to put down not only for temperament issues but plenty of health issues as well.

I've also known some really sweet, adorable maltese too. So it all depends...increase your chances of getting a nice, healthy dog by researching breeders and visiting their homes to see their dogs.

Agreed!! Check the breeders! Check their dogs and my advice if it is for poodle prefer the black!

swaggz · 12-14-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfi

I agree with everyone lol!
Mikey is right about JRTs...!!

I would also suggest a poodle or poodle mix or if you want a "big" dog a Standard Poodle. I love this breed cause they don't shed at all!!! You can have him/her in the house and never find hairs on your clothes or floor and furniture and having your mother yelling lol. They don't smell like other dogs do. Very easygoing and very easy to train. In many lists 2nd most inteligent breed. Very friendly with everyone...they want to do whatever you want them to do. Very good watchdogs! If you want an alarm system get yourself a toy/mini poodle...lol.

My mother loves maltipoos (maltese poodle mix) so we ended up getting one. She's 2 months old and she is a lot of fun. Thanks for the suggestions. I've heard poodles are easy to train and I'm trying to train her now. This is our 1st dog. Any suggestions?

Mikey · 12-14-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

This is our 1st dog. Any suggestions?

Sure lots of suggestions

what are you trying to teach, and how are you going about it-and how's that working out for you

swaggz · 12-15-2009, 09:19 AM

well she knows her name and knows come...where working on potty training with puppy pads and i want to teach her sit and to stop chewing on everything.

**fawkese1** · 12-15-2009, 10:25 PM

you don't want to teach her to "stop chewing on everything" lol...that would be quite a difficult task... what you need to do is teach her to chew on appropriate things (ie dog toys and chewies) make sure that you have plenty around...and that you encourage her to chew on them... every time you "catch" her chewing something you don't want her to have, interrupt her (don't punish) and give her something she can have...and praise...kong toys are great for this as you can stuff them with food and then she will be re-inforced as she plays with it...