Teacup Poodle Puppy Overview
The teacup poodle is one of the rare small dogs that are smart, agile, and even somewhat elegant-looking. They’re perfect if you want a dog that fits right in with Hollywood culture or you need a small dog suitable for a studio apartment in downtown Los Angeles.
These pups are known for being curious, energetic and playful. Because of their sociability, teacup poodle puppies have the potential to be exceptional companions for the whole family.
Their emotional intelligence even makes them a good fit for emotional support animal work, which can be hard to find in other small breeds. When you add in their trainability, you have one of the best puppies to consider in California.
Teacup Poodle Puppies for Sale: How Do You Buy a Teacup Poodle Puppy in California
California is unique when it comes to buying puppies of any breed, including teacup poodle puppies. This is because some laws prevent the retail sale of puppies and regulations about how old a puppy can be. For example, California banned the sale of dogs at retail stores in 2017 and doesn’t allow the sale of dogs under eight weeks without approval from a veterinarian.
For these reasons, if you want to buy a teacup poodle in California, you need to go through a breeder. While there are plenty of breeders available, make sure you look for breeders that are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), even if not for the specific teacup poodle breed. At the end of the day, you want to know that a breeder is at least following the necessary breeding guidelines.
Another way to buy a teacup poodle in California is to purchase one through a shelter. This is usually known as adopting, but you will have to pay the shelter in most cases. Adoption fees vary based on the breed, medical conditions, and the shelter.
Once you agree, buying a dog from a shelter is more in-depth than buying one from a breeder. For example, the shelter will inquire about your living situation or sometimes require a home visit to approve you before adoption.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Teacup Poodle Puppy in California
Buying a teacup poodle puppy in California is around $1,500 to $3,000. Due to their small size and high emotional intelligence, this breed is highly sought after in California.
Depending on the breeder, additional fees may also need to be paid. It’s possible to find one cheaper, but there is almost always a catch if the dog is costing significantly less than the average.
If you go the adoption route, on the other hand, the cost is lower. Most shelters will only make you cover adoption fees that are around $250 to $1,000. This depends on the shelter, the age of the dog, medical history, and several other factors.
Teacup Poodles For Sale in California
How Should I Train a Teacup Poodle Puppy?
Teacup poodles aren’t the hardest dogs to train, thanks to their poodle genes. Poodles are known for being some of the most intelligent and trainable dogs, so as long as you work with them and remain patient throughout the process, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about dealing with undesirable personality traits.
That said, when you train your teacup poodle, make sure you stick to a program that focuses on positive reinforcement. It’s the best way to train a teacup poodle, and you don’t have to worry about them developing rebellious behaviors or other negative personality traits.
Training a teacup poodle puppy yourself is a great way to start the process, but you shouldn’t stop there. If you’re ever having any trouble with teacup poodle behaviors or need to get specialized training for them, we recommend using one of our training courses, like the Basic Obedience Training Program. These simple courses can help you bond with your dog while teaching them simple obedience skills through positive reinforcement.
How Should I Puppy Proof My Home for a Teacup Poodle Puppy?
Puppy-proofing your home for a teacup poodle follows a lot of the same principles as puppy-proofing for other small breeds.
First things first, you’ll want to unplug most exposed wires in case they start to chew on them. You’ll also want to make sure medications and anything you don’t want in their mouth are high off the ground.
Removing poisonous plants, securing your garbage cans, and keeping sharp objects away from them is also important during the puppy stages.
When it comes to specific precautions for a teacup poodle, there are a few you need to be aware of. Their small size, for example, makes it easy for them to escape through fences if there’s enough ground clearance, so make sure you check the height of your fences. This also applies to gated rooms in your home.
Teacup poodles are also curious dogs, so they might go looking for things if doors are left open.
Buy the Right Teacup Poodle Puppy in California for You
Teacup poodles can be some of the most rewarding puppies to buy in California. From a young age, poodles tend to form bonds with their owners and have the smarts necessary to make training a breeze.
While these dogs are smaller than poodles, they tend to carry many of the same traits, so if you’ve owned a poodle in the past or are familiar with one of the many poodle mixes out there, teacup poodles shouldn’t surprise you too much.
What’s more, teacup poodles are great choices for first-time dog owners in California due to their sociable temperament and manageable size. When you combine this with California’s walkable cities and vast outdoor parks, you have the recipe for a perfect place to buy a teacup poodle puppy.
That said, make sure you always work with reputable breeders, and check our adoption page to take the guesswork out of finding the best breeders for teacup poodles in California.
