
HANDLING:
We begin handling our puppies at birth. By teaching our puppies to accept handling early, then when it is required for special care such as by the vet or groomer, then the bond of trust has already been built. The "Handling Massage Exercise" is done daily. As our puppy becomes more relaxed and trusting we then incorporate the grooming techniques into the message.
SOCIALIZATION:
Socializing begins in our home with plenty of opportunities to interact and play with other dogs & people; and eventually leads to the great outdoors where the sights, sounds and smells of the world around our puppies help develop the necessary coping skills needed to shape his future personality. Since immunity isn’t established we do not venture to public places, but we still take Puppy Pre-School fieldtrips in the Poodle Paddy-wagon. Our puppies ride through the drive-thru window at the Bank and fast food restaurants, to the Post Office, or to the vets.
CRATE TRAINING:
Crate Training is an important part of our program. This not only enables housetraining to progress, but also provides a safe place for nighttime slumber, and quiet-time breaks for the puppy from family chaos. We leave a “door-less” crate in the play yard for exploration, allowing puppies to venture inside & out at will.
NOTE – NEVER LEAVE A POODLE ALONE WITHOUT A TOY OR CHEW. THEY ARE HIGHLY INTELLEGENT AND WILL QUICKLY GET BORED.

LITTER TRAINING:
At Poodles by Design we know that puppies develop voluntary control over the bladder and bowel functions beginning at 3 weeks of age. They also acquire a preference for a surface to eliminate by 8 – 9 weeks of age, and instinctively desire to keep their living area clean. We take advantage of all these factors and begin Purina SecondNature Litter training as soon as our puppies start climbing out of the whelp box.

COMING WHEN CALLED:
Using the command “COME”, we make a game of it, calling and clapping our hands, until it is mastered.

YOU MUST CONTINUE THE TRAINING:
Please keep in mind that your puppy has just been through "Pre-School", not College! There is still is a lot of training to do. Training a Poodle puppy can be a lot of work, but the rewards are worth the effort. Continuing the training we have begun reinforces what has been taught, and helps you as the Master not to loose ground. It is much easier to establish expectations when a puppy is young instead of redirecting bad habits that are formed from a lack of training.
You can do it!!! We can help!!!

Certificate of Poodles by Design
Xclusive Puppy Pre-School Training Award

