Are Standard Poodles Aggressive?
[And How To Control It]

author
Aaron Rice Expert Dog Trainer
Written: January 17, 2022

Poodles are world-renowned for their haircuts and high energy. Not to forget, they are highly intelligent among all breeds of dogs. But are they inherently short-tempered and aggressive by nature? Or are some external triggers the reason for their anger?

Poodles, both standard and miniature types are known for getting riled up during stressful situations. But if your dog showcases aggressive episodes abruptly without any specific reason, it is a matter that deserves looking into.

It is imperative to identify the root cause of their sudden anger. The poodle is a breed that does not get too aggressive in general. Based on the causal factor, we will look into the methods of controlling their anger. So without any further ado, let’s jump into the topic at hand – “Are poodles aggressive dogs?”

Factors That Can Make Poodles Aggressive

The reasons why poodles can show their mean sides vary. We will list out the primary factors for the low poodle temperament in this section.

Growth Conditions

If your poodle puppy took birth in an abusive and neglected environment, where they did not receive the love and warmth of a mother dog, the chances are that they will develop a temper by nature.
Dog’s mom and the influence she has in raising the puppy are huge. Be it physical protection, nurturing, displays of affection, and so on, these aspects help the poodle behavior be calm and composed most of the time.

Anxious Nature

Poodles tend to get anxious when there is a lack of physical and cognitive stimulation regularly. This medical condition is not to be ignored or self-treated. Poodles require veterinary supervision and checkup sessions on priority in this case. Therapy is another proven technique to relieve dogs of stress and anxiety.

Fear-Induced Aggression

If your poodle is excessively fearful, they often go into a defensive shell. When they interact with humans or other animals that cause them to fear, their go-to defense mechanism is an offense in the form of anger and violence.

Health Problems

The decline in general health levels can trigger a detrimental change in the mood of dogs. Lack of adequate sleep, insufficient nutritional intake, or climatic changes can cause an anger episode. Some of the commonly displayed anger includes growling at young puppies or infants about to touch them.

Territorial Dominance  

Standard poodles can be extremely territorial in character. Whenever they sense another animal or a strange human is breaching their territory, they will react to it fiercely. Any encroachment by unknown entities will be dealt with sheer fury by poodles.

Excess Energy

Poodles are generally high in energy. If they do not find a means to vent the same, that will cause them to be irritated and hyper. When your dog does not receive sufficient physical activity, this condition can lead to an over-aggressive mentality in them.

Dog’s mom and the influence she has in raising the puppy are huge. Be it physical protection, nurturing, displays of affection, and so on, these aspects help the poodle behavior be calm and composed most of the time.

Anxious Nature

Poodles tend to get anxious when there is a lack of physical and cognitive stimulation regularly. This medical condition is not to be ignored or self-treated. Poodles require veterinary supervision and checkup sessions on priority in this case. Therapy is another proven technique to relieve dogs of stress and anxiety.

Fear-Induced Aggression

If your poodle is excessively fearful, they often go into a defensive shell. When they interact with humans or other animals that cause them to fear, their go-to defense mechanism is an offense in the form of anger and violence.

Health Problems

The decline in general health levels can trigger a detrimental change in the mood of dogs. Lack of adequate sleep, insufficient nutritional intake, or climatic changes can cause an anger episode. Some of the commonly displayed anger includes growling at young puppies or infants about to touch them.

Territorial Dominance  

Standard poodles can be extremely territorial in character. Whenever they sense another animal or a strange human is breaching their territory, they will react to it fiercely. Any encroachment by unknown entities will be dealt with sheer fury by poodles.

Excess Energy

Poodles are generally high in energy. If they do not find a means to vent the same, that will cause them to be irritated and hyper. When your dog does not receive sufficient physical activity, this condition can lead to an over-aggressive mentality in them.

Poor Socialization

When poodles have not been made to interact with other pups from a young age, they will act socially awkward as they develop into adults.

These dogs will not act all excited and happy to be near other dogs/animals. This pent-up frustration will usually come out as agitation and anger.

Lack of Mental Stimulation

Poodles are a high-energy, smart breed of dogs. They require a minimum level of cognitive stimulation to be mentally steady and happy. Being inactive and in chains throughout the day can make them dull, bored, and unpredictable in temperament. 

Regular walks, outdoor games, and dog puzzles can be helpful to tackle aggression in this case.

Poor Sleep Patterns

Poodles, like any other dog breed, tend to get cranky if their sleep cycles are improper. This issue can lead to severe fatigue and end up in impulsive behavior. As a responsible pet owner, ensure your dog gets sufficient sleep every day to avoid these unwanted mood swings.

We have covered some of the major triggers that cause a poodle to be aggressive. Once these anger episodes come to your notice, ensure you try to identify the root cause at the earliest. If not, this problem can cause harm not only to you but to other adults and kids in your locality. Any physical/property damage brought about by your dog will need to be answered by you.

Mental issues like stress, anxiety, depression can also lead to aggressive tendencies and should never be ignored. Consult your trusted vet for medical checkups and easy diagnosis at an early stage to avoid further complications.

Ways By Which Poodles Display Aggression

Now that we have looked into the reasons for aggression let us briefly look into some of the types of aggressive behavior shown by poodles.

Barking 

Although barking is the normal communication mode, your dog’s intense and relentless barking requires your immediate attention. Unwanted anger is not to be taken lightly.

Growling 

Poodles growl when they sense something strange or dangerous. Usually, they growl in a lower and deeper tone when they are deeply unhappy with something or someone.

Snarling

When poodles snarl, they are warning you that an attack is soon incoming. Obedience training is crucial in getting them back in control of this volatile situation.

Lunging and Biting

This type is the final stage of attack as an outcome of aggression. Poodles lunge at their adversaries and start biting and scratching. Ensure your dog never reaches this stage of anger as it can cause bodily harm to you and others around you. 

In the succeeding sections, we will discuss some of the proven methods to control or correct aggressive behavior in poodles.

How to Control Aggression in Poodles

After identifying the causal factor of aggression, we can attempt to find an anger management technique that works for your dog.

Training Programs

Engaging your poodle in a dog training program at an early age is a great way to keep excessive aggression at bay. 

  • Behavioral training to focus on controlling your dog’s behavior in different social situations is necessary. This method will ensure you are in command of your dog when around other people and animals.
  • Obedience Training is another way of gaining control using commands. Making them respond to your words and signs to remain calm can help a lot with practice.
  • Redirection is another way to distract your dog during anger episodes. Feeding them treats that they like or chew toys, for instance, can help redirect anger and gain control over the tricky situation. (Distraction Training)  

Physical Activity

Regularly engaging in physical exercises can be an efficient way to channel the excess energy inherent in a poodle. 

  • Get up a tad earlier than usual in the mornings. Set some time aside for morning walks with your poodle to start your day on a positive note.  
  • Go for strolls around your neighborhood with your dog. You can schedule such walks once or twice a week. This activity will enable your dog to observe other people, animals, and the overall social environment to improve their socialization skills and, in turn, can minimize aggressive episodes.
  • Play outdoor games with your dog and kids once in a few days. They can be a fun way to spend some quality time with your family and pet. 
  • Try to hang out with new people and their pet animals frequently. This activity can help improve the bond your poodle has with other animals and acquaintances. Spending time with good company in the comfort of home is a proven way to prevent unwanted anger.

Seek Veterinary Help

  • Ensure to schedule periodic checkups with your vet. This measure will help the doctor to keep track of your dog’s history of aggressive outbursts. If you have noticed anything outside the ordinary with your poodle’s behavior, never shy away from disclosing it with your vet. The reason is that your poodle may behave calmly in front of the doc, but they may again showcase aggression once back home.

My friend’s toy poodle, Jackie, gained great improvement in temperament levels after systematic pet therapy for two months. She used to growl at anyone coming into our dog training center earlier. Now, she is calm, composed, and a lovable goofball of a poodle.

This improvement was made possible due to an expert therapist suggested by our vet. Jackie started showing positive results from week three of the therapy. She now mingles well with other dog breeds and cats. A timely visit to the vet can be a game-changer rather than indulging in self-diagnosis, leading to aggravation of anger issues.

  • Take your medical consultant’s advice very seriously. In case of any medicinal dose or therapy, ensure that you do it exactly the way that has been prescribed. Follow the guidelines 
  • Get expert opinion and confirmation from your vet regarding the cause of aggression on your dog. Never jump to self-made conclusions on the onset of an anger episode.

Other Measures

  • Take care to maintain a safe and secure environment at home. Loud, dirty, and disorganized homes can negatively affect the mood of your poodle. Allocate a sleeping area for your pup so that they can spend some alone time in peace.
  • If you have just adopted a new poodle to your home, give them time to adapt. Miniature poodle puppies can be fearful around unknown persons and animals during the initial few weeks.
  • Create favorable conditions for your poodle to socialize more. Dog daycares are an excellent option for working parents. These homes will take care of pet dogs and their needs while you are away at work. You can also try hiring professional dog walkers who take your dogs for walks in the park, with tasty snacks and potty breaks included. (Socialization training)
  • Another optional measure would be occasional meetups with other animals like cats. Carefully observe how they behave with one another. Such sessions can help make their behavior more controlled and affectionate towards others.
  • Never compromise on the nutritional needs of puppies. If they do not receive a balanced and healthy diet, this can directly affect their moods, and they can behave rather rudely when hungry and dissatisfied. Adequate hydration is equally necessary.
  • Give them toys and play puzzles with them. Simple outdoor games like fetch using a ball or frisbee can be an enriching and fun time-pass for both you and your dog. This action can enhance their cognition and cement the owner-puppy bond like never before.

If the basics listed above are taken care of, you significantly lower the chances of unwanted rage from your canine buddy. 

Summing It Up

Poodles tend to showcase aggression in multiple ways, from growling to snarling to lunging. Irrespective of that, it is critical to recognize the root cause behind this aggressive mentality. We humbly request you not to jump to conclusions regarding why your canine is acting too rudely.

Perform periodic checkups and consultations with a registered vet to analyze the anger trigger and precisely follow the resolution guidelines. As loving dog owners, we must accept that we need to be patient, and it takes time for your poodle’s behavior to get back to normal.
A poodle can be a good addition to your family provided you train and socialize them well from a young age. They are generally gentle and caring towards children and an ideal playmate for your kids. Another advantage of owning a poodle is that they are the hypoallergenic type. This aspect makes them low in maintenance when it comes to allergies.

Giving them the warmth and safety of a home can make them feel like they belong here, making them easier to train. Obedience training and behavior modeling techniques via positive reinforcements can help keep anger episodes away for good.

Poodles are inherently an intelligent dog breed. Proper training, both physical and mental, will shape them into agile, well-behaved, and healthy companions for you and your family.

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