Poodles are extremely popular dogs – smart, energetic, and easily trained. Poodles can appear to be aggressive if they feel threatened. Are poodles aggressive?
Poodles are not naturally aggressive dogs although they will defend themselves if necessary. As a breed Poodles are not known to be aggressive but they are very good watchdogs. I have not seen my Poodle act aggressively towards people or other dogs at the dog park although I have seen her stand up for herself. Poodles make excellent family pets and are typically gentle with children.
There are several different reasons Poodles may act aggressively even though it’s out of character for this breed. In this article I’ll discuss why Poodles may display aggressive behavior and strategies to discourage or eliminate this unwanted behavior.
Also, there is a misconception that Poodles are weak, cowardly dogs that walk around with their noses in the air and have silly show ring hair dos. The fact is this is a huge myth about these hardy, intelligent dogs.
I have my Standard Poodle Annie groomed into a short haired normal looking dog. She loves to play, romp, and rough house with the best of them and she doesn’t mind getting dirty.
Why Poodles May Act Aggressively
Fear – Fear is typically the most common cause of aggression in dogs. If a Poodle is feeling fearful because of another dog or a human it may act out aggressively in the form of barking, biting or lunging. The best course of action is to quickly remove the Poodle from the perceived threat so she can calm down.
Anxiety – If a Poodle is feeling anxious this might translate into aggressive behavior. Calm your Poodle as much as possible first by being calm yourself. Since Poodles are very intelligent they can be sensitive to your stress level and your demeanor.
Behavior – If a Poodle has not been socialized from a young age he may act out aggressively. It’s important to introduce a puppy to different social situations especially from 4 weeks to 16 weeks old as this is a critical learning stage for your Poodle. Walks are a great way to start socializing as the dog will be exposed to other dogs and people. Always remain calm when walking your dog and slowly introduce them to others. Consistency is very important.
Of course you’ll want to be observant when meeting other dogs and protect your puppy from aggressive dogs your dog may encounter.
Injury or Illness – Occasionally a dog may suddenly shows signs of aggression and has never exhibited aggressive behavior such as snapping, biting, or growling. The cause may be from injury or illness. He may be experiencing serious pain and discomfort causing this new behavior.
Possible causes of the pain may be a bone fracture, arthritis, lacerations, or internal injuries. He may have a tear in his foot or maybe a thorn. If your dog has a sudden change in personality it’s important to see your veterinarian rather than trying to diagnose the issue. A veterinarian can advise a course of action and what medications may be needed.
Leash Aggression – Poodles (or any dog breed) may be gentle, calm, and polite when meeting other people or dogs when not leashed. As soon as a leash is hooked to the dog, the Poodle goes bonkers by barking, snapping and lunging when he sees another dog. Although this may be a combination of fear and frustration this embarrassing situation may cause owners to cease walking their Poodle altogether.
I have experienced this embarrassing behavior personally with my Poodle, Annie. Annie and I have gone on walks and she will bark and pull strongly on the leash with high energy when someone approaches us with their dog on a leash. She is extremely anxious and excited to visit with the other dog and doesn’t know another way to express herself. Although her bark sounds fierce she doesn’t have any intention to harm the other dog. Unfortunately her behavior will alarm the other person and their dog.
I have been working with Annie on walks by giving her treats when she shows good behavior. She has definitely improved and is not barking wildly at other leashed dogs as they walk past us. She will still get excited but I will distract her with treats which seems to be working effectively. Her improvement has been noticeable but is still a work in progress.
Your Poodle may simply want to meet and play with the other dog but doesn’t know any other way to accomplish this goal. This is a time when a professional trainer can really help as this issue can be resolved. Punishing the dog is the worst thing to do as the dog will associate the punishment with the stressful event only causing future similar events to escalate. Remember, be as calm as possible.
Territorial Aggression – Poodles can instinctively be protective over their humans, house, yard, and car. Territorial aggression includes such behaviors as lunging, growling, excessive barking, and running along fences or boundaries. I have seen this behavior in Annie. She’ll bark viciously at neighborhood dogs as they are being walked past our back alley fence.
In most cases it’s a matter of being anxious or overly excited. In other cases Annie may perceive the other dog and owner as a threat and thinks there is danger to herself and me. I’m working at spending more time in the backyard with her on a leash to help her get used to activity outside our yard. So far it seems to be helping. A competent dog trainer can help alleviate this behavior.
How to Stop Aggression in Poodles
Although there are no “quick easy fixes” for aggressive Poodles there are definite strategies to stop aggressive behavior. Here are some strategies to consider:
Puppies – If you are fortunate to have a Poodle join your family as a puppy it’s important to socialize him from the age of 4 weeks to 16 weeks old as dogs undergo major developmental stages during this period. Positive socialization with other animals, people, and environments will help them develop proper social skills and reduce aggression.
The more a puppy is exposed to different environments helps them to be calm, friendly, and fun participants in different situations.
Be the Pack Leader – It’s important to establish yourself as the pack leader in a gentle manner. If you don’t condition a Poodle to be second in command they will feel in control.
For example, always be the first to walk through a doorway and let your Poodle follow you. This way your Poodle is not as likely to bolt out open doors. Also, let your Poodle be in the habit of following you downstairs so they don’t knock you over. They need to wait until you are at the bottom of the stairs to come down which is good manners for any dog breed.
Personality Change – If your Poodle has a sudden change in demeanor go see a veterinarian. Your Poodle may have external or internal injuries or issues causing him to suddenly act aggressively towards people or other animals. He’s just trying to protect himself. It’s important in this situation to act promptly and call a veterinarian.
Walking your Poodle – Take your Poodle for frequent walks and slowly introduce them to other dogs and people. Also known as desensitizing, this activity exposes the dog to triggers until they no longer act aggressively towards the triggers.
Start by maintaining a good distance between the other dog and people. Over time reduce the distance as you calmly approach the other dog. Some trainers recommend distracting your dog by giving him treats when others approach. This way your dog associates the treat (positive reinforcement) when approaching others and it becomes a positive experience for the dog.
Correcting Your Poodle – It’s important to be gentle and reassuring when correcting behavior issues. Otherwise, if you react aggressively towards him he will only learn aggression and fear. Patience and consistent repetition are key to improving behavior.
Professional Help – A professional dog trainer can enhance your dog training goals. A great place to start is the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
History of the Poodle
Standard Poodles first appeared over 400 years ago and were bred as retrieving water dogs. There is still some debate as to whether the Poodle originated in France or Germany. Most information indicates they originated in Germany. In fact, the name Poodle is derived from the word pudelin, which in German means ‘splashing water’. The people of France, especially the aristocrats were so enamored with the Poodle it became the national dog of France.
Since the Standard Poodle has an excellent swimming ability, a thick coat of hair and exceptional intelligence it is an ideal retriever. Amazingly the Standard Poodle is the only dog eligible for the AKC Retriever Hunting Test even though it is classified as a non sporting dog.
The Kennel Club of England registered its first Poodle in 1874. Subsequently, the American Kennel Club recognized the Poodle as a breed in 1876.
The American Kennel Club released the most popular dog breeds of 2020 and the Poodle was ranked number 6 out of 195 registered breeds. Amazingly, the Poodle was the most popular breed from 1960 to 1982 according to the AKC. Ranking number one in America for 23 years in a row is still the longest term for any dog breed.
Why are Poodles so popular? For one, they are hypoallergenic. If you have a family member that has allergies the Poodle is one of the best dogs to have in the family. The second reason is that Poodles shed very little. Poodles have one coat of dense, curly hair instead of 2 coats of hair like most dogs. Similar to human hair it continues to grow and some will fall out. With a Poodle you won’t see dust bunnies of hair rolling across the room.
Poodles Come in 3 Fun Sizes
Poodles come in three different sizes according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
These 3 sizes are Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, and Toy Poodle. Typically smaller dogs have a reputation for being mean or ‘snappy’ towards others. When it comes to Poodles, regardless of size, this breed is not considered aggressive. Keep in mind the Toy Poodle can become skittish around small children. Here is more specific information on these three sizes:
Standard Poodle – The largest of the 3 Poodle sizes. The Standard Poodle is over 15 inches tall at the highest point of the shoulders. The average height for a Standard Poodle is 18 inches to 24 inches at the withers. The withers are the shoulder blades at the base of the dog’s neck. The Standard Poodle generally weighs 45 to 70 pounds For most of the world this translates to 20 to 31 kilograms. My Poodle Annie is a smaller Standard Poodle and weighs closer to 45 pounds which is about 20 kilograms.
Miniature Poodle – This is the medium or middle sized Poodle. The Miniature Poodle is under 15 inches at the tallest point of the shoulders but not shorter than 10 inches at the tallest point of the shoulders. This size Poodle typically weighs 15 to 17 pounds which is about 7 to 8 kilograms.
Toy Poodle – The smallest of the 3 Poodle sizes. The diminutive Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the tallest point of the shoulders and weighs in at around 6 to 9 pounds. This is equal to approximately 3 to 4 kilograms.
Conclusion – Poodles Are Not Aggressive Dogs
Poodles historically and by nature are not aggressive dogs. Yes, their environment and upbringing can affect their personality but they are not naturally aggressive dogs. In most cases families can expect a friendly, social, playful dog when a Poodle joins their family.
Poodles have a reputation for being high strung, aloof, prissy dogs. Actually, they are highly intelligent, athletic, sometimes goofy clowns that make excellent family members. Because they are highly intelligent they need plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise. The more exercise and mental stimulation you can give your Poodle the happier and more well behaved he will be.
My Poodle Annie has been a great addition to the family. She plays with the grandkids, she is a “velcro” dog that stays close to me whenever possible. She can be a silly goofball and has calm moments when she likes hugs.
Their stylish looks and regal demeanor make Poodles one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.
It’s important Poodles are socialized from a young age if possible. Establish early on that you are the pack leader in a gentle way. Along with consistent training your Poodle will be a family and neighborhood favorite!