A Poodle combines a high-maintenance coat with a mind that notices everything, so a vague sitter note fails this breed twice over: the curls mat within days and the dog frets without mental work. Leave a handoff that treats grooming, exercise, learning games, and health notes as equal priorities, written for the size and temperament of your particular Poodle.
Feeding and the Poodle's daily rhythm
Write the Poodle's meal times and exact amounts, where the food is kept, and whether this dog eats eagerly or grazes and needs the bowl lifted after a set time. Note fresh water habits and toilet breaks, including first thing in the morning and last thing at night, because a house-trained Poodle can still be caught out when a new person runs a looser schedule. Describe the walk pattern this dog expects, mixing physical exercise with sniffing time, since a Poodle who only gets marched around the block comes home still mentally buzzing. List the cues this dog knows, from recall and leave it to any trick routines you practise, and ask the sitter to use the same words so responses stay sharp. Mention favourite games, such as retrieving or scent searches around the garden, that burn energy indoors on wet days.
Brushing a coat that mats quietly
A Poodle's curly, continuously growing coat tangles at the skin long before it looks messy on the surface, so leave the correct brush and comb and explain the routine honestly. Ask the sitter to brush through to the skin in sections, paying attention behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, and around the tail, where mats form fastest. If your Poodle is in a longer clip, say how often a full brush-out happens and whether a detangling spray is used. Note the groomer's name and number and the date of the next booked appointment if it falls during your trip, plus whether this dog tolerates the bath and dryer or needs a calmer, slower approach. Add ear care: those heavy, hair-lined ears need checking for redness, odour, or head shaking, and the sitter should report those signs rather than attempting deep cleaning.
An observant dog who feels changes
Poodles bond closely and read household mood with unsettling accuracy, so tell the sitter what unsettles this particular dog. Note reactions to thunderstorms, fireworks, visitors at the door, or being left alone, and the settling routine that works, whether that is a filled chew, music, or a specific quiet room. Explain sleeping arrangements exactly, because a Poodle accustomed to a set bed or crate will pace if the sitter improvises. Mention social preferences on walks: some Poodles greet every dog, others prefer space, and the sitter should follow your dog's pattern rather than their own instincts. If this dog can be vocal at windows or demand attention with a paw, describe the calm response you use so the habit is not accidentally rewarded all week.
Health notes, contacts, and when to call
Leave the Poodle's vet details, an emergency clinic, your number, and a local backup contact, plus the groomer as a second practical resource. Summarise health points the vet already follows, such as sensitive digestion, skin irritation, eye watering, or joint stiffness, and describe what normal eating, energy, and toileting look like for this dog. Ask the sitter to call the vet promptly if the Poodle stops eating for a day, vomits repeatedly, scratches an ear raw, limps, or seems withdrawn and unlike itself. Show where the lead, harness, coat in wet weather, towels, and cleaning supplies live before you go. Keeping that whole Poodle picture in KinsLe's Care Pass lets a sitter handle coat, cues, and contacts from one trusted place instead of guessing.