New Poodle Owner Help
I’m a new dog owner and really want to make sure I’m setting my puppy up for success, so I’d love some advice from more experienced people.
We recently brought home a 5-month-old standard poodle a week ago, and I already care about him a lot and want to be a great dog mom. I just want to make sure I’m reading him correctly and not missing anything important.
A little about our situation:
- I work 7–4 (I’ve been doing a midday check-in)
- I have two young kids (1 and 5), so I’m trying to balance calm structure for him with family life
So far:
- He’s pretty quiet and observant, and spend 80% of his out of crate time in the doorway/entryway of the home
- He doesn’t seek out any interaction with us. He's okay if we approach him but he's not coming to us.
- Not playful, but seems to be slowly getting more comfortable
- Some whining when left alone, but it’s already improving a bit
- Had a few accidents after not going outside seems to be holding it
- Gave a low growl once or twice (like at the vet window) and when approached early one morning, but didn’t escalate
-Breeders said he knew basic commands but he literally runs in his crate as soon as I say sit and not like he's confused sit and crate. Just like no I don't wanna do that.
What I’d love guidance on:
- Does this sound like a normal adjustment/decompression period for a puppy this age?
- For more cautious/observant dogs, when did you start to see more bonding and playfulness?
- Any tips for building confidence without overwhelming him?
I really want to give him a stable, happy home and help him grow into a confident family dog, so I appreciate any advice or experiences you can share!