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(currently under construction so if you have a question you want answered send it in and I will post one)

Q1. I keep hearing that boys make better pets than girls. Is this true?

Q2. I want to take a month off work so I can 'bond' with the puppy. Is this a good idea?

Q3. I have other dogs with behavioural issues such as dog agression. Will this puppy be at risk with my dog?

Q4. I know of people who have boy dogs that hump and mark their territory. Am I likely to get one that does this?

Q5. I cant wait to take my puppy out walking as I bought her to help keep me fit. When can I start walking her?

Q6. I want my poodle to be shaggy because I like the look of it. Is it possible to keep them this way in good condition?

Q1. I keep hearing that boys make better pets than girls. Is this true?

A1. If you ask most breeders they will tell you that it is true. The reason being is that boys are more likely to be everyone's not and not just attach themselves to one person. They are also more laid back as a general rule. Ofcourse there are also girls who are laid back etc but as a general rule the boys make better pets. So if you are undecided which gender to buy, choose a boy or just tell the breeder the type of personality you want and that either a boy or girl will be fine. That way you are most likely to get the companion who will suit you best.

Q2. I want to take a month off work so I can 'bond' with the puppy. Is this a good idea?

A2. In my opinion no this is not a good idea. I have concerns that the puppy will be bombarded with attention for that month and then suddenly have to be on her own for nine hours a day. That would be a terrible shock to the puppy and it can cause behavioural problems such as separation anxiety. If you must take time to look after baby. Please make sure you leave her alone in the day for at least half the amount of time you intend to leave her for when you go back to work. Also, when you leave her, leave lots of things to do, toys activities etc. When you leave do not feel guilty and fuss over baby and then fuss when over her again first thing when you get home. This will make puppy think there is something wrong with being left and cause anxiety.

Q3. I have other dogs with behavioural issues such as dog agression. Will this puppy be at risk with my dog?

A3. If this is the case then you have cause for concern. There are lots of 'ifs' and 'maybes' with this question because it can depend. However the short answer is probably no. If your current dog has problems of any kind you need to look at your dog handling ability and work out what it is about your behaviour that is causing your dog's bad behaviour. Nine times out of ten you can fix it with good handling and understanding of dog psychology. The critical issue here is if you don't want two dogs behaving badly, you need to fix the one you have first and then get another one at a later date.

Q4. I know of people who have boy dogs that hump and mark their territory. Am I likely to get one that does this?

A4. Humping is not necessarily a sexual behaviour. It is also a dominant behaviour. Companion dogs should never be allowed to behave in this way and should be reprimanded for it. Desexing a male can help this problem and if the boy is desexed before he starts cocking his leg then there is a good chance that he may never cock his leg as an adult.

Females can hump too for various reasons such as: dominance, coming into season, or some kind of irritation/infection in her genital area.

Q5. I cant wait to take my puppy out walking as I bought her to help keep me fit. When can I start walking her?

A5. Not before 6 months of age and please then start to increase the exercise gradually each week. Up to six months of age the puppy should have no more than ten minute training walks.

Q6. I want my poodle to be shaggy because I like the look of it. Is it possible to keep them this way in good condition?

A6. Not really. The hair natually cords and so when the coat gets dirty, the friction of the dirt on the hair makes it matt up. People who show poodles and keep them in long coat need to bath and blowdry their dogs weekly to keep them in good condition. If you want your dog to be healthy and smell nice, you should keep it trimed in a short pet trim and bath it in between six-weekly grooming sessions. If you dont feel like you want to bother with caring for the coat, you might perhaps consider another breed.