Cockapoos are a hybrid breed between Cocker Spaniels and Poodles. Both breeds are considered relatively easy to train, and the Cockapoo is no different. Nevertheless, there are certain ways to train your Cockapoo in order to get the best results. Here’s how:
Positive reinforcement
Cockapoos are energetic and sociable dogs. They’re also very sensitive. As such, they respond best to positive reinforcement rather than punishments. If you try to punish your dog for bad behavior, you could end up making your Cockapoo afraid of you. Instead, use treats or new toys as rewards for good behavior in addition to lots of pets and praises.
Obedience
Your Cockapoo should be trained in basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “heel,” and “lie down.” It will give you more control over your dog’s actions, something that’s especially important for the Cockapoo as they’re a higher energy breed. For obedience training, you’ll again want to use positive reinforcement by providing treats when they follow a command correctly. You can also enroll them in an obedience class, something that can further help with socialization (see below).
Socialization
It’s important to socialize your Cockapoo as soon as you can in order for them to get used to other dogs, animals, and humans. You can do this by enrolling your dog into a socialization class, but any type of training class will do as it will get your dog used to being around other animals and people. In addition to classes, you should try taking them out to a nearby dog park to get them more comfortable with other animals in a different environment.
Crate training
You’ll want to crate train your puppy as early as possible, as this will help when trying to housetrain them (see below). Start by getting a crate that’s big enough for them to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Since Cockapoos can grow remarkably, you should opt for a crate that can adjust in size. After you’ve found the right crate, encourage your dog to go inside by using treats. If your dog shows no signs of anxiety or fear, start keeping them inside the crate for longer and longer periods of time, again using treats to encourage them to stay inside each time.
Housetraining
As you’re crate training your new pup, you’ll also be housetraining them. Dogs are, believe or not, clean creatures, and they don’t want their crate to be filled with urine or feces. So, by keeping them inside of a crate while unsupervised, you can ensure that there will be no accidents in the house. When they feel the urge, your puppy will likely start to scratch at the crate and whine. When this happens, take them outside immediately, using positive reinforcement by praising them and rewarding them with a treat as they do so. You’ll want to do this every time they go outside, making sure not to punish them if they do have an accident in the house.
Competitive sports
Since Cockapoos are a hybrid breed, they’re not accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Nevertheless, they can compete in certain AKC events such as agility or rally trials. These involve dogs working with their owners to weave their way in and out of obstacles on a course. You can start training your dog on your own, but it’s usually best to sign them up for an agility training club for the best results.
If you have further questions about training your Cockapoo puppy, feel free to contact us over at Family Puppies. Or, if you’re planning to add a Cockapoo puppy to your family, take a look at our current litters to find your new best friend today.
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