Learn Everything You Need to Know About Training a Cockapoo

Cockapoos are adorable dogs, a cross between a Cocker Poodle and a Spaniel. They’re friendly and energetic dogs loved by people worldwide. Primarily because of their cute looks and warm personalities! As a result of their generally easy-going but eager personalities, Cockapoo puppy training can be surprisingly easy!

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the basics you need to know about Cockapoo training and some general tips and advice if you are considering adding one to your family. As with any dog breed, it’s a big commitment, so you need to be prepared and know what you’re getting into before you get one.

Cockapoos come in many different colours and sizes and make an excellent breed for many people who are usually allergic to dogs. The allergies are generally caused by proteins found in animal dander that typically stick to the dog’s hair and cause irritating effects. Cockapoos are a low-shedding breed, which results in a much lower amount of hair at home; they are also known for having low dander levels.

Keep in mind, even though the Cockapoo breed is categorised as low shedding, their coat needs grooming regularly, and it’s best done by a professional grooming service. While they are small, their grooming regime can’t be missed if you want their fur to be in the best condition possible. It’s also essential to brush them regularly as their coats can quickly become matted, especially in areas such as behind the ears, due to their curly coat.

Cockapoos tend to be loyal pets, making them ideal family dogs. They tend to be good around children, and their small to medium size means they don’t take up too much space around the home. In fact, this breed is particularly popular amongst owners who live in apartments and flats, mainly because they are so small. Despite their miniature stature, Cockapoos still need plenty of exercise, which might be a bit challenging if your doggy is not taught how to behave.

In order to have a calm and relaxed Cockapoo, it is important to include physical exercise and mental stimulation into their daily routines from a young age. Puppy training, for example, can consist of mental stimulation, including obedience, trick training, activity puzzles, and Kongs. Young or older, Cockapoos need around 30 minutes of physical activity a day (at least!), so make sure you can meet this commitment every day before you commit to getting a dog.

Alternatively, of course, you could consider the services of a dog walker if you’re not going to be available to care for your dog. They can come to your home and take your dog out for the necessary exercise. However, the service obviously comes at a price, and it might be costly, especially if you’re looking to get a regular dog sitter.

There’s no denying that Cockapoos can be energetic around people and other dogs. Therefore, it may be helpful to teach a ‘settle’ command early on in their training to reward your dog for calm behaviour in busy environments. As they are intelligent dogs, Cockapoo training is usually easy for the dog and owner to master. All it takes is a little practice using the correct commands and positive training methods, and your Cockapoo should soon learn what they need to do to get a positive reaction from you.

Agility training is an activity that uses plenty of mental and physical energy! It is an excellent owner and dog bonding exercise, helping strengthen your relationship. Cockapoos thrive off spending time with their owners and being active, so this may be a sport to look into if you want to fashion that unbreakable bond. Having a great relationship with your dog is vital for both, and it’s a process that builds up throughout their life. Having a solid relationship will also make future Cockapoo training easier. So, it’s a win-win situation for everyone!

Most Cockapoos are toy and food-motivated, which makes them ideal for using both as rewards in training. Using different treats and ‘life rewards’, such as playing tug, will keep your training interesting, fun, and engaging for your dog. As they’re an intelligent breed, they need plenty of mental stimulation as part of their training to ensure that they don’t get bored!

If you’re thinking about purchasing a Cockapoo, make sure you look at the breeding parents first. Working spaniels and poodles will naturally create a more lively and energetic puppy. It may be helpful to compare the different lines of the breeds to find the most compatible for your lifestyle. There are also lots of colours possible, as well as different sizes.

Cockapoos are becoming increasingly popular, so ensure you’re not getting one from a bad breeder. Many people abandon their puppies these days, so because this is a popular breed, it might be worth considering looking for a Cockapoo at your local dog rescue. Check out dog rescue in Esher  and adoption dogs in Merthyr Tydfil.

It’s important to teach appropriate greetings when your Cockapoo meets with people. This is because, when they are puppies, Cockapoos can get very excited and jump up. This quickly becomes a learned behaviour for adult dogs, which makes it harder to correct. To help combat this, you should only reward and give attention to your dog when they have all four paws on the ground. This will encourage them to stay on the floor, even when they are young puppies.

Cockapoos typically love interacting with other dogs, so it’s important to build up an excellent recall to ensure that you, as their owner, remain their primary focus. This will allow you to give your Cockapoo freedom and let them off the lead in the park, knowing that you can let them socialise with other dogs and call them back when needed. When training recall, use high-value treats or rewards to make your dog feel it is worth returning to you!

Cockapoos are intuitive to our emotions and can be seen as quite sensitive dogs. So, a positive and relaxed approach to Cockapoo training, as a puppy and as an adult, is crucial to getting the best results out of your dog. Being confident and comfortable as an owner will give your dog the confidence and security it needs to thrive and learn quickly from its training.

Overall, Cockapoos can make the perfect family pet for various situations. They are relatively easy to care for, are loving, and usually enjoy and respond well to training.

At Royvon, we love Cockapoos of all colours and sizes! Training them, whether as puppies or adults, is rewarding. Watch our Cockapoo training case study videos to learn more about this adorable dog breed.

In this video, we are working with Pixie the Cockapoo. Pixie’s owners wanted her to be more responsive to commands and obedient. They struggled with this due to her hyperactive nature. Being a puppy, Pixie was extremely impressionable and quickly picked up the idea that focus and obedience would result in a reward. This led to her quickly learning positive behaviours and becoming better behaved as a result!

In this video, meet Milo, who is a three-year-old Cockapoo. Milo’s owners wanted him to recall when called and generally be more obedient. Our dog trainer, Thanasis, used high-value rewards to improve Milo’s focus and show him the benefits of this behaviour. Thanasis also trained Milo around distractions to ensure this behaviour would be consistent in real-world scenarios. Watch how Milo turned out to be the dog that the owners wanted.

Need some help with your Cockapoo training? Please get in touch with Royvon! We have a range of training options, from 1-2-1 sessions to residential stays, that all help your furry friend to be on their best behaviour. And we don’t just work with Cockapoos. We love working with dogs of all breeds; with over 60-plus years operating in the dog training business, we have experience fixing all sorts of issues and unwanted behaviours.