Toy Poodle Temperments

Question
I have a 3 1/2 year old toy poodle.  Recently her attitude has change she is nipping at my children whom she usually gets along with ages 8,7,2.  Yesterday she jumped on my bed and pooped and today she did the same to my mothers bed. Is their something that I can do for her?

Answer
You should start out with a vet visit.  Likely it won't turn up anything.  schedule spaying if not already.  Dogs' temperaments mature at about 3.  If you have allowed her top dog status all along, it is going to be difficult to change now.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

Beds need to become forbidden territory for her.  Where everybody sleeps is very important to dogs.  The bed is high, comfortable, and the obviously choice place, reserved for the top dog.  Fouling it is a sign that she is top dog.  Many people fail to obedience train small dogs because their ill behavior is seen as cute.  Then they end up with a 4 legged Napoleon running the household.