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Step 1
Learn about the temperament of toy poodles. Like many smaller dogs, they are fairly high strung, tend to yap, and seem to have an endless amount of nervous energy. Thus it is advisable to be calm when training your toy poodle, avoiding distractions that occur so commonplace outside and also refraining from using a loud voice.
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Step 2
Reward good behavior with lavish attention. You toy poodle wants your attention, and so it might incessantly yap and jump up at you. It is imperative that you avoid eye contact with the dog and also do not pay any attention to it. Say the command “sit” at a moderate tone of voice. Bend down and gently push down the little poodle into a sitting position. Repeat the command and then pet the poodle and praise it.
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Step 3
Briefly leave the room and then return. The odds are good that the dog will repeat the jumping and yapping. Repeat the command “sit” but remain motionless. If the dog does not comply, repeat the command again. If there is still no compliance, repeat Step 2 and this step until acquiescence occurs. Only reward your toy poodle with attention and affection when it obeys your command to sit.
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Step 4
Teach your miniature poodle to stop a destructive or annoying behavior. You can use the “no” command or simply make a hissing noise, much like Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan employs when working with dogs on his television show. Whatever signal you decide on, you must use it succinctly and consistently. Loud noises are not a good idea when working with a dog as high strung as a miniature poodle, so it is wise not to yell at the dog, as this may actually have quite the opposite effect and set off a storm of panicked barking.
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Step 5
Craft a moderately loud noisemaker, such as a plastic cup filled with pebbles, and shake it when the dog is not looking in your direction. When it is startled and looks up, firmly say “no” and make eye contact with the animal. If the dog desists from its course of action, reward it with a treat and attention.
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Step 6
Repeat the action as often as necessary, shaking the noisemaker a bit more vigorously each time whenever the dog is not paying attention to your “no” command. As you follow up obedience to your command with a desirable treat and attention, your toy poodle will soon learn that obeying your command the first time has pleasant consequences.
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Step 1
Understand your miniature or standard poodle’s disposition. Very even-tempered and infinitely sociable, training this kind of poodle may be done outside even if sounds and sights are distracting. Refrain from having friends or family members known to the dog stop by during your training session, since they can derail your training efforts as the dog attempts to socialize.
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Step 2
Exercise your dog with a brief run or brisk walk around the neighborhood. Return to your training ground—either your backyard, home or a park—and work on simple commands, such as sit or stay. This is best accomplished if there are no other dogs around. Teach the dog to sit by enlisting a helper to gently press down on the dog’s behind when you utter the “sit” command. Repeat the command and the gentle push.
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Step 3
Approach the dog, make eye contact, and order it to sit, this time not using the helper’s assistance. If your miniature or standard poodle complies, praise it and pet it. If it fails to comply, repeat the training with the helper until the dog is conditioned to obey on voice command only.
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Step 4
Enlist your assistant’s help also to teach your poodle how to come when called. This is done by standing a short distance away from the poodle, making eye contact with the dog, and saying “come.” You helper will pick up the leash and walk the dog over to you. Repeat the command “come.” Reward the dog with a treat and some attention.
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Step 5
Repeat Step 4 a number of times, ask your helper to drop the leash, and once again make eye contact with the dog. Tell your poodle to “come.” If the conditioning has worked, the dog will now approach you, not cognizant of the fact that the helper is not accompanying it. If the exercise fails, it is time to repeat Step 4 and this step until the poodle obeys you every time.
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Step 6
Reiterate the “sit” and “come” commands over the next couple of weeks, several times each day. Do so without a helper, unless the poodle does not obey. This reinforces what you have taught the animal; make sure that you lavishly praise the dog each and every time it obeys.
