yoyopoodle
Well-Known Member
Due to family allergies, I've only had Poodles since I was about 6 year old. I've lived with at least two dogs of each variety (Toy, Mini, Standard), and the Standards have all been 'mine'.
I've also volunteered at assistance dog training kennels for years, and have raised/trained Goldens and a Lab mix as service dogs.
In my experience, the Poodles learn and respond very differently than the other dogs... but I've noticed the most similarity between *nice* GSDs, and Collies (most of my experience is with Smooths).
These dogs learn very quickly, but will not do a task a million times just to make you happy. They will turn on the light a few times, but then tell you in no uncertain terms that if your just going to keep turning it off there is no sense in them working - who cares that they'll get a treat?
Likewise, they will activate an electronic door, but only if it's to go through. They will retrieve, but you better not drop the item in the same spot within 10 seconds.
Poodles are content to watch what's going on, and when you invite them to play they seem to have picked-up the rules through watching. They will make a fool of themselves with you, but the instant anyone else is watching they just look at you as if you've lost your mind. If you want them to do something but the wrong word comes out, they'll do the doggy equivalent of shaking their heads, then go ahead and do what you meant.
I really like some of Steinbeck's quotes regarding his Poodle, Charley (my Charlie was named before I got him and apparently wasn't inspired by anything in particular...):
"Sir, this is a unique dog. He does not live by tooth or fang. He respects the right of cats to be cats although he doesn't admire them. He turns his steps rather than disturb an earnest caterpillar. His greatest fear is that someone will point out a rabbit and suggest that he chase it. This is a dog of peace and tranquility."
"He was born in Bercy on the outskirts of Paris and trained in France, and while he knows a little Poodle-English, he responds quickly only to commands in French. Otherwise he has to translate, and that slows him down."
Poodles have a fascinating history, records dating to 14 AD (coin with a curly dog bearing the distinctive Poodle-clip with mane and pompoms). The Poodle History Project (http://www.poodlehistory.org/) has tons of info, portraits, photos, famous owners, etc.
Wonderful breed that I will never be without
I've also volunteered at assistance dog training kennels for years, and have raised/trained Goldens and a Lab mix as service dogs.
In my experience, the Poodles learn and respond very differently than the other dogs... but I've noticed the most similarity between *nice* GSDs, and Collies (most of my experience is with Smooths).
These dogs learn very quickly, but will not do a task a million times just to make you happy. They will turn on the light a few times, but then tell you in no uncertain terms that if your just going to keep turning it off there is no sense in them working - who cares that they'll get a treat?
Likewise, they will activate an electronic door, but only if it's to go through. They will retrieve, but you better not drop the item in the same spot within 10 seconds.
Poodles are content to watch what's going on, and when you invite them to play they seem to have picked-up the rules through watching. They will make a fool of themselves with you, but the instant anyone else is watching they just look at you as if you've lost your mind. If you want them to do something but the wrong word comes out, they'll do the doggy equivalent of shaking their heads, then go ahead and do what you meant.
I really like some of Steinbeck's quotes regarding his Poodle, Charley (my Charlie was named before I got him and apparently wasn't inspired by anything in particular...):
"Sir, this is a unique dog. He does not live by tooth or fang. He respects the right of cats to be cats although he doesn't admire them. He turns his steps rather than disturb an earnest caterpillar. His greatest fear is that someone will point out a rabbit and suggest that he chase it. This is a dog of peace and tranquility."
"He was born in Bercy on the outskirts of Paris and trained in France, and while he knows a little Poodle-English, he responds quickly only to commands in French. Otherwise he has to translate, and that slows him down."
Poodles have a fascinating history, records dating to 14 AD (coin with a curly dog bearing the distinctive Poodle-clip with mane and pompoms). The Poodle History Project (http://www.poodlehistory.org/) has tons of info, portraits, photos, famous owners, etc.
Wonderful breed that I will never be without