Why a standard poodle makes a great watchdog

A well-trained and properly socialized Poodle makes an excellent family pet. A poodle is considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds and even possesses a sense of humor. The Poodle was originally bred to work closely with humans, in the capacity of a water retriever and also as a hunter, shepherd, and guardian. They are easy to train and have an overwhelming desire to please their family, and many of these traits have made Poodles very good watchdogs. They are not an overly aggressive breed by nature, but they do have protective tendencies. Most, like your poodle, will bark a lot and not bite.

Poodles bond very quickly with their family and those bonds are strong and long-lasting. Poodles become very loving family pets and show affection for their owners and other animals with whom they have been raised; While they are not naturally aggressive towards strangers or other animals, they can be very cautious about new situations and environments, they will let their family know when they spy, hear or smell something new. Poodles are also experts at feeling new things, they are very alert dogs and in tune with their environment. With their heightened sense of perception, they can tell when something is wrong and are very obvious about communicating this feeling to their family. Because poodles are also prone to barking and are easy to train, an owner can make the dog bark in certain cases so that he can alert the family to new events in the yard and at home.

Since their instinctual behavior is highly developed, their surveillance and hunting history is often very evident. Poodles are very territorial dogs and they are wary of any stranger who approaches their home; Because they are so smart, they are able to tell who does not belong there and they will talk a lot about it. If an owner gives the Poodle a reward for sounding the alarm, the Poodle will quickly detect the owner’s approval and satisfaction. Again, keep in mind that Poodles have a strong, innate desire to please their owners and will likely repeat any behavior that gets a positive response. When a poodle is not properly trained, it can bark excessively and become a real pain. To prevent this from happening, use consistent, firm and positive training methods and reinforcement to make sure the Poodle knows when it is okay to bark. Never, ever use harsh punishment on a Poodle because he is very sensitive and neurotic behavior can develop if you put too much pressure on the dog.

The qualities of a poodle guardian also include strong protection for his family; the female tends to be a bit more protective compared to the male, because her maternal instincts are shown towards her human family. A Poodle’s lack of aggression can keep it from being a vicious watchdog, however, while a Poodle can sound an alarm, they are generally friendly and polite to strangers. However, this non-aggressive nature also allows them to be a great family, even for those with young children.