Wolfshadows Toy Poodles

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Congratulations on your new puppy!

There are some very important things you should know when it comes to caring for your new addition.

~Feeding~

Always provide clean water for your Toy Poodle at all times. It is best for your puppy to make a gradual transition from one food to the next if you choose to change his diet. Our food of choice was previously Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy but we have switched to Iams Smart Puppy Proactive Health. The reason we switched is because I bought Iams once when the pet store was out of Eukanuba and our puppies seemed to like the flavor over the Eukanuba. Both are very good foods for your puppies diet.  We recommend staying on this food for at least several days. Then, you can mix in a small amount of your chosen brand with the Iams for a few days, gradually increasing the amount, to switch foods. 

Remember, your puppy is going through alot of stress with all of the new adjustments and unfamiliar surroundings. It is important to ease the transition to their new home. Your new puppy will need to eat 3 times a day. Puppies of this size exert much energy and do not eat as much as larger dogs so they need to refuel more frequently.  Feeding your poodle on a schedule is a key factor in maintaining their energy level as well as successful house breaking. However, if you will be gone for any length of time, resulting in your puppy missing a meal, make sure that you leave food for he or she while you are away to avoid an onset of Hypoglycemia.

Don't be too alarmed if your puppy isn't interested in eating on the first day. They may just need to settle in and adjust, BUT, Remember to watch that sugar level if you feel they aren't eating enough.  Once you find a good food that you and your dog approve of - stick to it. Changing foods isn't good on your pet's digestive tract. It is imperative that you also know what NOT to feed your Toy Poodle.

NEVER FEED YOUR DOG EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:

!!Chocolate!!

!!Onions!!

Both chocolate and onions are toxic to your pet! Avoid giving your Poodle grease cooked off of food such as ground beef, sausage, etc., alone or mixed in with food. This will upset your pet's stomache and can cause diarrhea.

~Excercise~

A puppy goes through alot of stress when they make the transition to their new home. It's a whole different world for them. New People, sounds, smells, sights, etc., can all be quite overwhelming. To avoid stress and overexcitement, you will need to limit play to one hour at a time and return your new pup to their bed or area you have set up for them. Playpens are excellent for this.

Toy Poodles are active fun-loving dogs. They are excellent dogs for people living in apartments or homes where outside play is limited. Your Toy Poodle will enjoy taking walks and "strutting their stuff". Toy Poodles love to fetch. They were bred as water retrievers so it comes naturally to them. Most poodles enjoy swimming also, as a result. Your puppy will have a ball at the lake or beach, where permitted. Make sure to keep them on a leash of course unless you know it's 100% safe for them to be unrestrained. You may find that getting a small kiddie pool for your pooch will provide much entertainment.

~Grooming~

Your Toy Poodle will need to go to the groomers every 6-8 weeks. You should brush your poodle every day or at least every other day to avoid knot and matts. The average price for grooming at a salon for a Toy Poodle is in the range of $30-$60 depending on what extra services you add on to your normal bath and clip provided your dog isn't matted or extremely dirty. It is well worth the time it takes for brushing your poodle b/c groomers usually charge per minute for extra brushing time or dematting. For most places, a package in this price range include a bath, fluff dry, anal gland expression, nail clipping, shaving hair in paw pads, ear plucking, hair cut, a bandana or bows, and doggy cologne. Fancier hair clips are sometimes a little more pricey depending on what you ask for. Teeth brushing is usually about $5 extra but this can also be done at home. The earlier you get your pup used to this, the easier it will be for you and him/her. You can buy dog toothbrushes and dog toothpaste at most pet stores and Wal-Mart. Dog toothpaste has a nice flavor that dogs generally approve of. If you think the price of poodle upkeep is a little more than you can handle, you may want to consider another breed with a lower maintenance.

~Hypoglycemia~

Overhandling, insufficient amounts of food and water, getting too cold, and too much excitement for extended periods of time can cause Hypoglycemia(low blood sugar). It is best to keep a tube of Nutristat or Nutrical handy to bring the sugar level back up if he's showing signs of overexhaustion. Symptoms of Hypoglycemia include but are not limited to lethargy, weakness, glassy eyes, nervousness, tremors, acting depressed, and seizures. If you notice your puppy having any of these symptoms and you don't have either of these supplements on hand, give your puppy a small amount of karo syrup or honey. If they will not take it from your finger, then you can rub a small amount on their gums. Monitor your puppy's behavior for about 10 minutes and if your puppy responds, feed him or her a little food and keep an eye on them, if he has not improved they should be seen by a veterinarian ASAP. Hypoglygemia is a potentially deadly condition and must not be taken lightly.