May Have to Give up Pet

It would be nice if you could find a older person that has no children to take the dog. Sometimes a widow becomes depressed and they are in need of a companion. Puppies are usually too much for them. I wonder if there is a way to contact some of the nice retirement homes in Plano and surrounding areas. Some of them allow pets. Maybe you could post a little sign there. Just a thought since he is so small it would be ideal for someone like that.

Sorry but it has been my experience that once a dog snaps and this behavior continues it will turn into a bite. I worked in animal medicine for many years as a vet tech so I tell you this with some background in my pocket. :(
You have two choices, keep the dog away from the children and seek an experienced trainer/behaviorist and see if the behavior can be changed. (Consider that this will require a lot of your time and serious commitment and money)Sorry.
The other is to find a home without small children.
I advise you to try and not make an emotional decision regarding this, though I understand that that is hard for you to do since you have had the dog for such a long time.
I have seen children leave this similar situation with scars and some with deep in bedded fears of dogs.
Please consider your problem to be a serious one even with the dog being a small breed.
Sorry that my reply is so negative, wish I could tell you something that you could just "do" to change the dog but there is no easy answer here.
I too had the same problem and had to find a new home for my 7 year old chihuahua after we adopted a baby. I thank God that he answered my prayers and we got her a great home with an elderly couple with no other dog and she is doing great.
Wish for you outcome to be a good one too,
C.

I understand your dilemma. I have two large dogs who don't get as much attention as they used to before my daughter was born. But, honestly, dogs only need about 15-30 minutes of your time a day to be happy. Especially an older dog who doesn't need to be walked as much, etc. I truly believe you have to protect your children from the dogs and your dogs from the children and they must always be supervised. I think you might need to get help from a dog trainer if the nipping progresses. Of course that is a sign that the dog is telling your child to "back off" and you must teach your child to leave the dog alone if he does this. It is a warning. I think it would be better if at all possible for you to keep the dog since he is 8 years old. You are his family! But, if you feel you must find him a new home, a rescue organization(Poodle) would probably find the best possible home for the dog.

I wish you the best of luck!

Nicole had great advise. I do rescue and an 8 year old is a senior and can be very difficult to place plus many have been known to die from the depression of missing their family. It sounds as though the dog is defending itself and that does not require a dog trainer but better supervision of the child who is being 'rough'. Seems like you should have time to play with your furkid when your child is sleeping or when you are teaching her how to behave around a dog. If you do decide to rehome the dog, please go through rescue as there are some really evil folks out there that use small dogs for horrible things. Good luck with your decision.

If he's eight years old, he's probably wanting to be left alone to rest anyway. I have a small pet carrier for my rat terrier. He doesn't like the kids bothering him either so he just goes in his kennel and stays to himself. My kids know not to mess with him. Just teach your child how to handle/not handle the dog . The poodle has been around this long, it's not fair to him or your daughter to just toss him out because he's not convenient for you anymore. Besides, what would that be teaching your child as far as how to treat animals. I think you should learn to deal with it. I have two children (4 and 2) and I also have 2 dogs and 4 cats, and I work a full time job. It's not that big of a deal to take care of everything. Your dog will get used to not being the only pea in the pod.

I agree that it may be hard to rehome an older pet. You may need to give your dog an area that the kids can't get to him when he needs a break. I have a 14 year old Aussie that is mostly blind and will growl if she doesn't know its my daughter and thinks its one of the other dogs. We have our kitchen gated off, and my Aussie stays in there if we are not going to be watching the interaction between my daughter and her, and also when the dogs are eating. She is happy to have peace and quiet, and she gets time with us after our daughter is in bed. If you decide to rehome your dog, try to place him personally to a good home, as it is very hard for older dogs to adapt, especially when, as you said, he has always be your baby. I bet you would be surprised at how little personal time he really needs to make him happy. Also you can teach your daughter what is appropriate and what is not as far as what is too rough a play for him, and have an area he can go to where the kids can't bother him.
Good Luck!