Cockapoo Potty Training
Often the first hurdle to many new cockapoo-owners, potty training may seem daunting. Be sure to show your cockapoo puppy which door you would like them to go out & routinely use this door, even if you plan to take your pup for a walk around the neighborhood. Make going outside a big to-do! Excited voices and enthusiasm will go a long way to encourage your new puppy. Conversely, when your new bundle of love will inevitably have an accident, be firm and point/show the puppy the accident and say no, or “that’s bad”. Most importantly, whatever your preference on discipline, be consistent! Inconsistency confuses puppies and will hinder their training, so make sure your family understands their roles in training and everyone works together.
Cockapoo Crate Training
As tempting as it may be to cuddle with your new best friend in your bed every night, crate training for the first few months to one year of age can greatly change how your cockapoo behaves when you:
leave the house
have company over
need to discipline
go to bed
I suggest using a three-sided plastic crate with a metal hinge door (the alternative would be an “open air crate” meaning open wire panels on all sides). Crates with plastic sides and top help a new puppy feel safe and protected, while limiting most visual stimulation. Encourage your cockapoo puppy to enter the crate as they feel like it by leaving the gate open all day. When you leave for work or need to go to bed, reward the pup with a treat for entering the crate, and give a soft blanket and favorite toy to the puppy. I have crate trained all of my cockapoos, making leaving the house less upsetting as they’ve matured. Additionally, it helps when your cockapoo is young to start with a “nap time” in the afternoon, possibly when you run errands. A couple of hours in the crate in the afternoon encourages your cockapoo to nap and become accustomed to the crate during the daytime.
Cockapoo Leash Behavior
on and off leash
There are many different factors that can effect your Cockapoo’s relationship with a leash. Training your dog to be comfortable on a leash begins with an early start, potentially as soon as they arrive in your home. Practice by having your puppy on a leash around the house for a few minutes here and there. Discourage chewing on the leash by continuously walking and calling to them in “puppy voice”. If you have a yard, practice in that space as well. When in public, keep your puppy at a close distance to not only respect other’s space, but to also keep you in their field of vision. I encourage my dogs to sit if someone comes up to pet them, thus reducing the likelihood of them jumping as well as teaches them to wait patiently for those who may be nervous around dogs or especially when it comes to children. Furthermore, you must know your dog and the surrounding area well enough before you take your dog off leash. I love letting my girls run freely, but I also feel like I know them very well. Max is still young and is only allowed off leash in relatively remote locations (such as hikes & large parks). Regardless of your comfort-level with your dog, environmental factors can still distract or entice your dog, so be sure to know your surroundings well. Most importantly, know the legalities of taking your dog off leash. Many locations allow leashed dogs, but research diligently before taking your dog off leash in an unfamiliar location. When in doubt, play it safe and keep your cockapoo on a leash at all times.
Cockapoo Swimming Lessons
acclamation to water
Training your Cockapoo to become acclimated to water may be an uphill battle, so it is important to start early. Even then, I’ll caution that not every dog will enjoy swimming or kayaking. Some dogs will prefer to stick to the shallows (where their paws can touch), while others will easily swim onward for long stretches at a time.
Begin at a young age by introducing your Cockapoo to shallow bodies of water, like a bathtub or kiddie-pool. Imagining that bath time will be a regular occurrence, be sure that your puppy is comfortable with a tub/shower combination. When the pups are young, I bathe them in the sink with a washcloth laid across the bottom, and as adults, bathe them with a non-slip mat at the bottom of the tub. This washcloth helps your puppy feel sure-footed and less intimidated when first introduced to baths/water.
Regarding streams, rivers, or lakes, safety is first and foremost a must. Be sure of the local leash laws, ensure that the water (if moving) is not too strong. Bring a favorite toy (tennis ball for my girls), and begin to have your dog relax around the water. Spend time on shore playing, wade out into the water for yourself (shin deep) while keeping an eye on your pup and positively reinforcing any movement towards the water. You may also consider sitting in shallow water and allowing your pup to come up to you in his/her own time. Be sure to slowly introduce your puppy to water! Kona is not the biggest fan of swimming, and it took us a couple of tries to realize she is far more comfortable in a life jacket. Although life jackets aren’t necessarily a requirement, I have found that both of my dogs feel more confident as swimmers and are more willing to swim farther and longer than they would without the added help.