Often referred to as Cavadoodles or Cavoodles, depending on whom you talk to, the Cavapoo is a delightful playful mixed breed.
Crossbred from a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, these canines are lovely and popular family pets thanks to their lively personality and medium size.
If you have welcomed a Cavapoo puppy into your home or are expecting one soon, you’ll want to know how to prepare your puppy for his or her new life with you.
When Should Cavapoo Puppy Training Begin?
From day one, you should begin working with your pup. To get started, you’ll want to have accessories on hand. Hopefully, before welcoming your puppy home, you‘ll have acquired some of these necessary accessories to get your pup on track.
1.) Dog Crate
A dog crate can be an essential tool during the training of your puppy. It is especially important at night because you can teach your pup what to do at nighttime and what to do during the day.
You should select a crate that is the right size for when your puppy is full-grown. If it is sufficiently large, your pup’s bed can be placed inside as well as a pad if your pup needs to urinate during the night.
2.) Dog Bed
Every dog needs a bed, and your Cavapoo will too. Ideally, a washable bed is preferable for hygienic purposes. A washable bed will also be easier to fit inside a crate for the nighttime.
3.) Puppy Pads
These are fundamental especially if you don’t want to run all over the house to clean up after your pup. Young dogs will not hold their bladder and will relieve themselves wherever they are when they feel the urge. Plus, you can pop them in the puppy crate.
4.) Puppy Space
To begin working with your Cavapoo puppy, you’ll need a limited space organized for your new little furball. You may delimit your puppy’s roaming to a pen, a room, or a partitioned space. Puppy pads and fresh water should be available at all times in this area.
5.) Meal Bowls
Food and water dishes are necessary. They should be the correct size for your puppy and take into consideration ear length.
6.) Cavapoo Walking Accessories
Your Cavapoo needs to be trained to walk on a leash, so you’ll want a harness and leash. You should also consider a puppy collar and medal with your information on it as a pet parent, just in case your puppy gets away from you.
7.) Toys and Treats
During the training of a Cavapoo puppy, use positive reinforcement when rewarding. Rewards for your puppy may include praise, treats, and lots of toys.
Toys that can be chewed are optimal because your puppy will be teething, so rather than let your pooch destroy your favorite slippers or your couch, go to the toy department.
Cavapoo Training
The Cavapoo is a highly intelligent canine. Because they are high-energy pups, they may have a very short attention span and you should keep this in mind when working with your dog. Puppies are easy to educate if you are patient and consistent.
Potty training, which will be your first objective may take more time than other basic commands. You may require several months, and maybe longer before your dog is fully trained to urinate and defecate outdoors.
When to Begin Cavapoo Puppy Training
It’s wise to begin training your puppy as soon as he or she arrives home. Most puppies will arrive when they are 7 to 8 weeks old after having been weaned by mom. Puppies are exceptionally receptive to training and new stimuli, so you’ll have your work cut out for you.
Crate Training
Training your puppy to use his or her crate should begin immediately. Know that crate training must be limited when your puppy is under 6 months of age because the pooch will not be able to control bladder and bowel urges for more than a few hours.
Never leave your Cavapoo puppy in the crate the whole day or night. If you have a scheduling problem, get a dog sitter or dog walker.
Avoid using a crate as punishment at all costs. When used to punish, your pup will fear the crate and not want to enter it.
Initially, the reason you will use a crate and teach your pup to feel comfortable in a crate is to limit soiling in your home. Even a puppy will instinctively attempt not to soil where he or she sleeps or eats.
Crates also avoid the risk of your puppy chewing on everything in your home during teething. A chew toy can be placed in the crate to provide your dog with some relief.
Potty Training
This is the most important training to begin immediately. However, expect accidents along the way and be patient. Don’t be unrealistic in your expectations.
Puppies like little children get tired and may urinate wherever they are, including the crate. Ideally, you will want to start potty training when your pup is at least 12 weeks of age and no more than 16 weeks of age.
Do not expect that your puppy will be successfully trained at two months of age. You can help your puppy by taking your pooch outside more often for a brief walk every few hours.
By anticipating your pup’s needs, your dog potentially will identify going outdoors with relieving him or herself.
Basic Commands
No puppy is too young to begin working on the basic training commands like
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- Sit
- Come
- Lie or Lie Down
- Jump
- Stay
- Leave It
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The most important thing when teaching basic commands is to be patient. Dogs have short attention spans and puppies’ attention spans are even shorter. Everything and everyone is a potential distraction.
You can also teach your dog tricks like shake, rollover, high-five, and an affirmative command like “OK”.
Limit the Training Session Length
Training sessions should never last more than 15 minutes. With puppies, you may want to do a very short session and repeat the command you are working on a few times throughout the day.
Do not prolong the session so as to not tire or bore your puppy or most importantly frustrate your new puppy.
Bad Habits Are Hard to Break
If your puppy came to you a month or two older and was not trained before arrival, he or she may have picked up some bad habits along the way. Be patient and allow yourself and your pup some extra time to overcome these habits.
A Final Thought
Your Cavapoo puppy is super intelligent! Nonetheless, you will need to arm yourself with lots of patience. Repeat necessary steps and do be persistent in your efforts and firm.
Show your puppy lots of love and shower your pup with affection and positive reinforcement. And finally, enjoy those moments when your pup gets it right.
