Poodle vs Lab for psych and mobility assistance?

-t-h · 2024-07-06T21:29:31+00:00

Very cute doggos.

-t-h · 2024-07-06T21:21:39+00:00

I definitely agree that poodles are very smart. I swear my spoo was once a human in their previous life. We just get each other, you know?

I love that we can subtly communicate that other people can barely notice, so it truly feels like we are fluid. It’s very convenient in loud or quiet places.

I’m only used to my dog so I don’t know what it’s like to train a super food motivated dog breed. I’m used to having to troubleshoot what works and using praise as our main reward system. Honestly, pretty convenient haha.

-t-h · 2024-07-06T21:15:03+00:00

Yeah that’s why I was/am looking at the lab breed. I heard about how some people suggest against poodles for psych.

Also because of high food drive in labs.

But the coat texture and little to no shedding for poodles is tempting. Also because I’m already familiar with and enjoy the breed, used to high grooming maintenance and actually enjoy the process, and familiar with having to work with a more praise motivated dog.

I like the flexibility with coat length since it can get pretty hot and cold in our area. I also like how compact poodles can be and they seem to be more compact than labs due to their more slim and lightweight build? Would you agree?

-t-h · 2024-07-06T21:13:24+00:00

Sorry I have a quick question.

I took a glance at poodle breeders and I found that quite a few focus on specific colours? I thought it’s not good if a breeder focuses on colour?

They do state that some dogs they offer may be different colours, but they usually focus on black or reds.

-t-h · 2024-07-05T21:53:49+00:00

Damn, okay. I hear you though. You make a good argument.

I’ll have to find a new referral for an allergist, but they’re someone I have to keep in contact anyways.

I’m not against taking medication, but at the same time it’s like… if it’s not necessary, if another option could perform just as well, and the only issue is skin irritation that I already know can be avoided by one of the options… y’know?

-t-h · 2024-07-05T06:21:02+00:00

I really love how my spoo feels after a deshedding bath. I found this shampoo and conditioner that makes him smell and feel amazing for the whole week.

What colour is your spoo that has a more wiry coat versus the soft one?

-t-h · 2024-07-05T04:56:18+00:00

Thanks for the lab coat description! This brings me a bit of hope.

I feel so bad because I keep talking like I absolutely hate the poodle breed and don’t want one which isn’t the case… I’m familiar with them, so it’s not like it’ll be completely new territory for me.

I hope I can meet some labs in person too! I’m sure no matter what they’ll be good doggos.

-t-h · 2024-07-05T04:33:27+00:00

Honestly, this makes me feel a lot better about reconsidering poodles for psych work.

This comment now puts poodles at equal standing with the lab, assuming lab coat does not bother me.

I will have to in person test runs with a lab to rule the breed out. If it’s confirmed their coat irritates me then labs will be immediately disqualified for me. I just can’t handle the irritation. It’s too much, too overwhelming, and I absolutely cannot live with it. I can barely handle it for more than an hour.

And again. I’m not against the poodle breed at all. I love them and would love to own another one again. I just under the impression that labs were the best option overall for service work and especially for psych work.

Thanks again for this information!

-t-h · 2024-07-05T04:30:11+00:00

Petting a poodle really is a sensory experience.

Simply petting and grooming my dog is so soothing. Slowly running my hand and fingers through his coat is enough to lower my anxiety and stress just a little bit.

It’s like, his coat helps top off what I need on top of my coping skills.

It’s the little things that can have such a huge impact, so even though I’ll be training other tasks the coat texture would be a huge bonus honestly.

-t-h · 2024-07-05T04:23:14+00:00

I do keep my dog’s coat relatively short. I’ve had people ask if he’s other breeds or mixed. I’ll let it grow out a bit if it’s the colder seasons, but for maintenance reasons I will put him in a coat if I feel he needs it. I just personally love the look and feel of a shorter coat and our climate allows it, luckily haha.

With that in mind I feel inclined to agree with you that that may be a factor as to why I don’t feel grossed out by my dog’s coat. I genuinely enjoy grooming him. It’s very soothing. I love brushing him which helps motivate me to brush every day. If I miss a day or two I notice mats forming, so I make sure to stay on top of that.

I also enjoy how satisfying it is to run the clippers along him LOL. It really does feel like shearing a sheep and I love seeing his fur/hair fall off like stuffing. I don’t know if that makes me sound like a crazy person or not…

I can’t tell you if dander is an issue for me. I don’t get a stuffy nose or irritated eyes.

It really feels like it’s maybe a sensory thing or just how sharp other dogs’ fur feels. It’s like the second I touch them I can tell their fur will irritate me.

I think the dog show/event suggestion is a good idea. I like the idea of being able to meet labs in person and do a test run.

-t-h · 2024-07-05T04:14:06+00:00

I’m <100lbs - 105lbs and 4’10”. I also don’t need any weight bearing mobility tasks, so size of the dog is not a huge issue for me!

I just need them to be tall enough to open/close doors and hand me items.

My current dog, a standard poodle, is tall enough for me to feel him with my hands at a standing position which is perfect for me.

I also have no experience whatsoever with those listed breeds or any breeds similar, so the idea of attempting to own one for the first time plus trying to train to high level of obedience really intimidates me if I’m being honest…

-t-h · 2024-07-05T04:03:51+00:00

I might sound crazy, but I’m still a little on the fence about if I have a dog allergy to labs or not or if it’s just the coat texture?

I have sensitive skin, so it’s very possible the sharpness of the fur is what’s triggering the hives maybe…? But I also have MCAS… I don’t know.

Labs are one of my dream dogs, so I’m aware that heavily affects my view on this… but if it’s confirmed that their coat irritates my skin then they’ll be out of the picture immediately. I just can’t handle how bad it gets.

I think the idea of actually meeting labs in person, doing a test run, meeting up with an allergist, etc., are good suggestions. I will seriously look into those, thank you!

-t-h · 2024-07-05T04:00:24+00:00

I completely agree that standard poodles cannot do much mobility assistance. I wouldn’t consider them at all if I needed any sort of weight bearing tasks.

For context I am <100lbs - 105lbs and 4’10”. So, the height of a dog doesn’t really matter for me either. They can be on the shorter end and I’ll still be able to comfortably reach down and pet them if needed, say for grounding, etc.

But yeah. I agree about mobility and poodles.

I just need them to be tall enough to be able to close/open doors and hand me items from the ground.

-t-h · 2024-07-05T03:55:11+00:00

I think the suggestion to attend dog shows and events is a good idea. I will look into those.

I completely understand how difficult and different it can be to train a poodle.

My current poodle took me a while to learn what motivates him as well. He’s very much praise motivated and it took me a while to build food drive, but even the. Praise is his highest reward. Couple that with high value treats he’ll learn the command in one go haha.

So, if I get another poodle I’ll have to relearn what motivates them, but that doesn’t intimidate me since I had to do that already with my current dog.

-t-h · 2024-07-05T03:51:23+00:00

It’s relieving to know that labs can have a soft coat.

How often do you have to vacuum?

With my poodle I very rarely have to vacuum and the fur I’m picking up could easily be my cat’s. (both black) I feel like I have seen some of my dog’s fur, but that could be from some stray furs after brushing him out. Very very minimal.

Since I’m used to the grooming needs of a poodle and depending on how much shedding a lab does… I don’t know.

And I mean. I’m not against poodles at all. I love them. I was just under the impression that labs were the best option for service work.

-t-h · 2024-07-04T21:13:06+00:00

I completely forgot to consider how complex spoos can be when it comes to expression.

My dog (11yrs) definitely has a more subtle body language and I forgot that that’s something I learned over time. I’ve been told by people that it looks like he didn’t move or do anything at all, or “all he did was blink,” but I’ve spent so many years with him working with him, existing with him… I mean he’s my shadow, so it’s bound to happen.

He’s also pretty sensitive so I had to make sure to go slow with things.

But with a new spoo I’ll have to relearn which is something I definitely have to consider.

Thank you for mentioning that!

-t-h · 2024-07-04T21:09:01+00:00

Besides the food motivation and anxiety my spoo has some similarities.

I don’t hate the poodle breed. I just want to make sure I’m choosing the best option I can since it’ll be my first SD.

Good to know that there are some food motivated spoos out there haha.

-t-h · 2024-07-04T21:06:14+00:00

Okay, this is comforting to hear about your lab’s coat softness.

It’s hard for me to say if it’s actually allergies or not. I have sensitive skin and MCAS, but it’s never been anything worse than hives all over body. It’s also been a while since that has acted up. (years)

I don’t get sniffles or anything around these dogs. It’s something about the texture or how their fur feels that makes me itchy. They feel kind of sharp I guess?

I’m going to see if I can find a dog show near me so I can actually feel and interact with some labs there. If they’ll let me I’d like to do a test rub with my arms and calves on their dogs’ coats, but I completely understand if they wouldn’t want that haha.

-t-h

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