Printable sheet
Poodle begging for treats on its hind legs, stretching toward a snack in an outstretched hand. A fun printable for kids who love dogs; free PDF.
Printable sheet
Free for personal and educational use
Download PDFPrintA curly-haired poodle standing on its hind legs with front paws tucked, nose reaching toward a hand holding a treat.
Color the curly coat white, gray or apricot with small loops.
Teach a friend a simple trick using pretend treats.
The poodle is considered one of the smartest dog breeds in the world.
The poodle begging for treats in this picture knows that standing up nicely means a reward is coming. Poodles are brilliant dogs that love to learn. For a long time they were stars in circuses and shows, performing tricks that got trickier and trickier.
Today we know the best way to teach any dog is positive reinforcement: rewarding what it does right instead of punishing what it does wrong. The reward can be a tiny treat, a pat, a happy word or a few seconds of play with a favorite toy.
To teach a trick, break it into very small steps. For sit, hold a treat near the dog's nose and slowly move it up and back. The dog's rear end naturally lowers, and right at that moment it gets the treat. Keep sessions short, about five minutes, and always end on a success.
Learning tricks is not just for showing off. It tires out a dog's brain, strengthens its bond with the family and builds confidence. Commands like stay and come can even prevent accidents outdoors. Best of all, kids can join in with help from a grown-up.
