Worthy, my assistance/service dog for mobility disabilities, is the first Standard Poodle I've ever had. I did a bunch of reading. They are the second most intelligent breed of dog, after Border Collies. But they have a WAY different temperament from Border Collies!

I learned that they have a nonstop sense of humor. That made me understand that a lot of the things Worthy was doing was telling me jokes! I had brain damage from bacterial spinal meningitis, and God knew he what he was doing by matching me up with a dog who would make me laugh--a lot!

I also learned that Standard Poodles quickly get bored and you should not use a lot of repetition in training them. For example, maybe two retrieves at a time--not three!

I had Belgian Tervuren for 20 years and they are SO different from Standard Poodles! One thing to look for in a dog training instructor is one who understands your breed of dog. And also knows a lot of different ways of teaching--because there are a LOT of DIFFERENT kinds of dogs!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

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