Cavapoos are one of the sweetest dog breeds you could adopt. These teddy bear dogs have loving personalities, make amazing companion dogs, and are also great for allergy sufferers. Cavapoos come in many different coat colors, and their small size makes them a great choice for people living in apartments as well. But before you decide to get one of these adorable puppies, you might be wondering: Are Cavapoos smart dogs?
In this article we will take a closer look at the intelligence of this designer breed to see if the adorable Cavapoo would be a good addition for you and your family. We will focus on the training of Cavapoos, but if you are more interested in the grooming part, read our article: Are Cavapoos high maintenance?
Are Cavapoos smart dogs?
Yes, they absolutely are! They can even be a bit too smart. The Cavapoo vocabulary is also pretty high, and this dog will be able to learn lots of words and commands. If you give them enough attention, training, and a lifestyle with enough mental and physical stimulation, your dog will grow up to become an unbelievably smart canine that will be able to pick up on new skills quickly. That’s why it’s not surprising that so many Cavapoos are therapy dogs or emotional support animals.
Why are Cavapoos so smart?
It’s all in the good genes! As most mixed breeds of Poodle, the Cavapoo has no other choice than to be smart. The Poodle is one of the smartest dog breeds, they are easy to train and can learn lots of commands. So if you give them your time of day, and make sure to train them on a regular basis, your young Cavapoo should grow up to become an intelligent canine that is close to its family members.
Source: Instagram (@mochi.mischief)
Can Cavapoos get aggressive?
Due to their ancestry in the non-aggressive breeds of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Miniature Poodle, Cavapoos are not aggressive canines. Cavapoos may only exhibit aggressive behaviors when they are under stress, in danger, or afraid of something.
When someone touches their bowl or walks by them while they are eating, some Cavapoos will bark or attempt to bite that person. Additionally, your Cavapoo could be possessive of snacks and treats, hiding them and barking at anyone who attempts to take them away. Households with several pets are more likely to experience this.
At what age does a Cavapoo calm down?
Around the age of two, Cavapoos should become calmer. The physical, emotional, and mental growth that Cavapoos experience when still puppies have a big impact on when they quiet down. While this may seem like a long time, it actually isn’t because it can take some time for the puppy’s anxiety to subside.
Similar to how children develop differently from one child to the next, how long it takes a dog to settle down differs from dog to dog. Cavapoos may require up to two years of development because, after finishing their physical body’s external growth, they continue to grow internally.
Do Cavapoos like to cuddle?
Because dogs and people don’t communicate in the same ways, it might be difficult to say with certainty whether your dog enjoys cuddling. Rolling over, nuzzling or gently “headbutting” you, and wagging their tail are some clear indications of a content dog.
But many dogs don’t enjoy hugs and cuddles. Hugs may seem affectionate and loving to humans, but dogs may see them as threatening since you are impeding their movement. This implies that even while Cavapoos are generally tolerant, snuggling and cuddling might trigger anxiety in some dogs.
Of course, it’s possible that your dog prefers to express their love in other ways if they don’t enjoy cuddling. A lot of dogs like to stick close to their owners wherever they go, bring them their favorite toys, or simply gaze at them with affection.
Are Cavapoos easy to train?
Due to the high intelligence of the Poodle and Spaniel parent breeds of dogs, Cavapoos are quite simple to teach. Use a variety of rewards, toys, games, and praise when training your Cavapoo to keep them engaged and active. It’s a known fact that positive reinforcement is an essential element of their training.
As soon as you get your Cavapoo puppy home from the breeder, you should begin teaching him or her. Right away, you must teach them their names, and you must also begin the dreaded house training. . Cavapoos are smart and will constantly be learning, even if you don’t think you’re actively practicing.
Since clowning about or switching off is sometimes a sign of stress, it’s time for a break if your Cavapoo puppy does any of those things. Change gears and engage in some play before returning to training later. We want them to link training with fun rather than something they start to fear.
Are Cavapoos easy to potty train?
Every hour or so during the day, take your Cavapoo puppy outside to go potty. One hour per month of age is a general rule of thumb. So a puppy that is 8 weeks old may be able to retain her bladder for a maximum of 2 hours. Don’t worry, the bladder will expand along with your puppy.
Puppies must also step outside at least once, if not twice, during the night to use the potty. Four hours after your puppy went to sleep, you set your alarm to wake you up. Go directly to the specific potty spot outside, and let her do her business.
If you catch your dog peeing inside, clap loudly so she can recognize that she has done something wrong. However, if you uncover evidence of her completing the job even though you didn’t see her do it, don’t yell at her since she won’t be able to understand you or connect your rage with what she did.
How much exercise does a Cavapoo need?
Even though they are small, these dogs still have moderate physical needs and daily exercise. A Cavapoo adult needs at least 40 minutes of exercise each day to stay in good health. This may be spread out across a few walks, but it could also involve playing and canine sports.
Depending on your individual Cavapoo’s weight, temperament, and state of health, you may need to give them slightly varying amounts of exercise. After all, some dogs are satisfied to lay on the couch all day while others simply adore chasing balls.
Puppies should engage in a variety of shorter activity intervals. In fact, experts frequently advise following the general rule of thumb of 5 minutes for each month of age, up to two times per day. Therefore, 20 minutes of exercise twice daily would be sufficient for a 4-month-old puppy.
Are Cavapoos good walkers?
Despite having relatively short legs, Cavapoos are incredibly energetic and can walk up to 10 miles per day if it’s not too hot outside and they are properly fed and hydrated. Of course, older dogs and Cavapoos under the age of 10 months are not able to travel such distances.
Do Cavapoo dogs like to swim?
The short answer to this question is yes! As naturally excellent swimmers, Cavapoos feel at ease around water. It is important to keep in mind that each dog is different and that not all Cavapoos may enjoy swimming.
There is a significant probability that your Cavapoo puppy will enjoy a relaxing swim because Cavapoos are a cross between the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, two hunting breeds. As a result of their long history of duck and other animal hunting, a large portion of this can be attributed to genetics.
We advise gradually introducing them to the water in a shallow location. The Cavapoo puppy should be introduced to the water in a small pool at first so that it can become accustomed to it and learn to swim. In other words, if your new dog isn’t ready, you shouldn’t push them into the water.
Source: Instagram (@itswilson_thecavoodle)
How long can a Cavapoo be left alone?
New dog owners often wonder how long they can leave their new pet alone without needing a friend or relative to visit or pay for dog daycare. Cavapoos do not have any problems being left alone for a few hours, but these family dogs still prefer to be with their pet parents. To keep your Cavapoo from experiencing separation anxiety, try to leave him or her occasionally for a short period of time while they are still a puppy. That way they will grow up to become more independent.
Cavapoos can be left alone for the entirety of the night and for a maximum of 5 to 6 hours during the day, assuming they don’t have any conditions that call for more frequent contact and care. Make sure your dog has access to water and ventilation whenever you leave them alone, even for a short period of time. If it’s especially hot outside, try leaving the air conditioning on to prevent your dog from overheating.
Can Cavapoos be left alone for 7 hours?
Absolutely not! This social hybrid breed wasn’t built to stay alone for long periods of time. They are lap dogs after all, and all they want is to spend time with their family. As we have already discussed, it wouldn’t be a good idea to leave them alone for any longer than 5 to 6 hours at most!
These social dogs need lots of attention and love, and puppy parents should hire a dog sitter if they absolutely have to leave their Cavapoo bestie for more than that. Puppy school or daycare can also be a great way to offer your dog some socialization while you have to be away for the day.
What should I know before buying a Cavapoo?
Now that you have learned so many good things about the Cavapoo, you probably want to look for a breeder right away. But before you buy one of these puppies, you should know that it isn’t rainbows and sunshine. There are also some harder aspects of owning one of these dogs. First of all, even though they are so popular, these dogs aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club, because they are a designer breed. But this is only an issue if you want to take part in dog shows with your canine.
Besides that, even though they are generally healthy, they can still inherit some diseases. These include hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, and progressive retinal atrophy. And due to their floppy ears, they are prone to ear infections. To keep the health of a dog in great condition, you will have to commit to regular visits to the vet and a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Make sure that you are absolutely certain that you can fulfill all of the basic needs that these dogs have before you decide to get one yourself.