rescue toy poodle

Question
someone dropped off a toy poodle on our farm in horrible condition, took it 2 rescue places they would not touch it took him to a vet and it would be 100.00 just to trim the mats out. this dog has been so abused, he is a white poodle with reddish eyes and br nose.is there such a thing? how do I get him to calm down? cannot put him down ,very nervous, high strung. he does not know how to play or even what milk is. age appx.16 mo.  thank you any help will be appreciated.

Answer
Hello Jan,
Sounds like some breeder dropped off one of their breeding dogs that wouldn't work out with them.  He probably won't know how to walk on a leash, and maybe hasn't even been on grass before.  

A white poodle with liver colored nose and reddish brown eyes is not too uncommon.  You will also see apricot colored dogs with liver eye rims, nose and mouth rims.  

You are going to have to recondition this dog to your house.  Chances are good that he has never set foot in a house and so he doesn't know what to expect.  He will have to learn your boundaries and rules, just like bringing a new puppy home.  I would put him down on the floor and sit down with him to give him security.  Encourage him to look around and venture away from you.  A dog crate will most likely be his safe haven because he most likely lived in one where he was before.  If you haven't gotten him a crate yet, get him a molded plastic one because they give the dog the feeling that they are in a den.  If you already have a crate, if its the wire kind, then you can cover it with a blanket to make it more cave like.  He will feel secure in his crate and that will help him calm down some.  
You might even leave his crate door open when he isn't in there so he can go in on his own if he wants to.  

Once he gets more adapted to your home, maybe you will see his playful side emerge.  He has to feel comfortable and secure in his enviroment before he will want to play or roam on his own.  

When he finally gets comfortable in his home, you can start doing things like Obedience, taking him out around other dogs or people, and just getting him to be a normal dog.  

Give it a month or so, and see how he comes around.  If you have other questions about this or Poodles in general, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim