Training your Cavoodle (a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle) can be a fun and rewarding experience because they are generally intelligent, motivated by food or toys, and friendly. They do well with positive reinforcement methods and enjoy the engagement that comes with training sessions.
Failure to train your Cavoodle can make them more prone to developing common Cavoodle behaviour problems such as barking and separation anxiety.
Here’s a Cavoodle training guide to help you train your Cavoodle and in doing so, make them more calm:
1. Start with Basic Obedience Commands
- Sit, Stay, Come: These are essential obedience commands for any dog. Start with “sit” as it’s relatively easy and will help you teach your Cavoodle to focus and listen.
- How to teach sit: Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it upwards (this is a training technique called ‘luring’). As they look up, their bottom will naturally lower to the ground. Immediately say “sit” and reward them.
- Stay: Once they’ve mastered “sit,” teach “stay” by saying the command while they’re in a sitting position, then slowly step back. Gradually increase the distance and time. Once your Cavoodle is reliably staying when asked, gradually start doing the exercise in new environments.
- Come (recall): When training your Cavoodle, teach new commands in a quiet place initially, like your home or backyard. Call your dog in a cheerful voice while gently guiding them toward you. Reward them with a treat or a game with their favourite toy, when they reach you.
2. Socialisation
- Cavoodles are friendly and enjoy being around people and other dogs, but early socialisation is key. Gradually expose your Cavoodle to different environments, people, dogs, and various sounds. Positive interactions will help your dog develop confidence and reduce fear-based behaviour like reactivity in the future.
- Arrange playdates with other well-behaved dogs and take your Cavoodle to puppy pre-school or busy areas to expose them to new stimuli.
3. Potty Training
- Consistency is key. Start by setting a routine where you take your dog out at the same times each day (first thing in the morning, after meals, every 20 minutes when playing inside the house and before bed).
- Take your Cavoodle outside and use a cue like “Go potty.” When they do their business, reward them with a treat and praise.
- If you catch them in the act of going inside, immediately take them outside to finish. Never punish them after the fact as they won’t associate it with the right behaviour. Similarly, using punishment in your Cavoodle’s training can make them avoid you, you might find they’ve gone to the toilet behind the couch for example.
4. Crate Training
- A crate can be a valuable tool for your Cavoodle’s training and safety. Start by introducing the crate slowly, making it a positive experience with treats and toys inside.
- Gradually increase the time your dog spends inside the crate to help them get used to it. To make the crate a positive space, feed your Cavoodle long-lasting chews in their crate. Never use the crate as punishment, as it should be a safe and comfortable space.
- This training will help with potty training and can be especially useful if you ever need to leave your dog alone for short periods.
5. Loose-leash Training
- Begin leash training early, making it a positive experience by rewarding your Cavoodle when they walk calmly on a leash.
- Avoid pulling or yanking on the leash. If your Cavoodle pulls, stop walking and call them back to you, rewarding them when they return.
- Practise walking on a leash in quiet areas (like inside your house) before gradually introducing distractions, like busy streets or parks.
6. Mental Stimulation
- Cavoodles are intelligent dogs and will get bored quickly if they don’t receive sufficient daily mental stimulation. Puzzle toys, training sessions, and interactive games (like hide and seek) can keep their minds engaged.
- You can also teach them tricks like “roll over,” “shake,” or “play dead,” which will not only stimulate them mentally but also strengthen the bond between you.
7. Barking
- Cavoodles can sometimes be prone to barking, especially if they’re anxious or bored. It’s important to address excessive barking early.
- If your dog is barking for attention, ignore them until they stop. Once they’re quiet, give them attention or a treat.
- For barking at the door or strangers, you can teach a “quiet” command by waiting for them to stop barking, then rewarding the silence.
- If your Cavoodle is barking at passers-by, don’t allow the rehearsal of this behaviour as it is inherently rewarding. This means the behaviour will become more frequent and intense unless you stop it. Try blocking the dog’s vision of the passers-by.
8. Positive Reinforcement
- Use positive reinforcement methods like treats, play, praise, and toys to reward good behaviours. Cavoodles respond well to positive reinforcement and tend to enjoy the interaction with their owner.
- Keep your Cavoodle training sessions short (2-5 minutes), especially when they’re puppies, to avoid overwhelming them. End each session on a positive note with praise or a treat.
9. Consistency and Patience
- Be consistent with your commands, routines, and rules. Everyone in the household should use the same commands to avoid confusion.
- Be patient and understanding, as every dog learns at their own pace. If your Cavoodle doesn’t get it right immediately, don’t be frustrated—keep practising and they’ll improve.
10. Grooming Training
- Since Cavoodles are a mix of Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, they tend to have a soft, curly coat that requires regular grooming. The best Cavoodle breeders commence grooming their puppies from 3 weeks of age. Ensure you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder to benefit from this early exposure to grooming.
- Brush your Cavoodle’s coat regularly to avoid matting, especially behind the ears and in areas where hair tends to tangle.
- Introduce nail trimming, ear cleaning, and brushing as part of their routine to keep them comfortable with these necessary tasks.
Bonus Tip: Training with Love and Respect
- Cavoodles are affectionate dogs and thrive in loving environments. Training should be built on mutual respect. Avoid harsh methods, as they can lead to fear, aggression or anxiety.
- Keep training fun and interactive. Your dog will be more likely to learn and stay engaged if they enjoy the process!
With patience and consistency, your Cavoodle will grow up to be a well-behaved, happy companion! If you’re still struggling with where to start in your Cavoodle’s training journey, contact Foresight Dog Training for more information.
