You warmly welcome your new Cavapoo puppy into your home. There are cuddles, smiles, lots of fun…and then you realize their excitement is here to stay. You’ve picked a boisterous, energetic puppy! How long should you expect the high levels of energy to last? We break it down so you know why Cavapoos come with so much energy and what to expect, tips to make the crazy times that little bit easier to handle and when you can expect things to get a bit calmer.
2-years old (adult dog) is when you can expect your Cavapoo to be calmer. This is generally the milestone when a Cavapoo becomes mature and reaches adulthood. There is not a specific day when they change from puppy to full grown dog, but you’ll notice over a period of time their energy levels change as they settle into their new routine. But what if you’re in the midst of dealing with a puppy who seems to be uncontrollable and is running amuck? Do you really have to wait 2 years to see an improvement? Those owners blessed with a bouncy energetic pup that loves life will be pleased to know there are tactics you can employ, whatever their age, to help minimize their ‘bounce’ and put some calm back into your home life (repeat after me ‘namaste’…)
Understanding why they are hyper to begin with
Let’s start with why they’re acting the way they are. Well, without stating the obvious – they are a puppy! Youngsters of any type are usually filled with untapped levels of energy. Ask any parent of toddlers and they’ll confirm this isn’t just a dog-thing. But there are other factors that make Cavapoos particularly fun-loving.
You can thank their poodle parent for a big contribution to their fun-loving personality. Poodles are known for athleticism and eagerness, and what’s more they are also known to be incredibly smart dogs. In fact they are generally considered one of the smartest breeds of all. This is blended with their mix with the genes of a King Charles Cavalier – a dog which is renowned for its affection and loyalty. It’s also not unheard of for King Charles Cavalier’s to be energy-filled too, so you may have both parents to thank for your puppy’s spirit! As a cross-breed, Cavapoos inherit a blend of personality from both parents, a blend which can lean more towards poodle or cavalier, depending on way the dice fell. So it’s fair to say you shouldn’t expect calm with your Cavapoo puppy. Each Cavapoo will be unique and some will be more full of fun than others.
How your Cavapoo will change over time
No matter your starting point, you can expect your Cavapoo to change steadily over time, and generally become calmer as they mature. It’s also important to manage expectations – Cavapoos will rarely get to the point where they can be considered ‘docile’. My Cavapoo still gets excited whenever the mailman arrives, or if a family friend comes to visit. This excitement spans the need to protect the family home and also being lovers of people (one of the most sought-after characteristics of Cavapoos, after all).
When you first bring your puppy home it can seem a bit daunting. They will probably not be toilet trained, they will probably cry at night and when separated from you and you’ll need to take precautions to ensure the home is dog-safe. Added to that you have a little ball of energy that at times can seem like too much to handful. The good news is Cavapoos will quickly adapt to the family routine and while they won’t lose their energy immediately, they will settle and become calmer relatively quickly. The timescales and milestones for a young dog becoming mature vary and you might find your dog takes a little longer to settle than others. We’ve put together a few tips to help you manage the transition (and keep your sanity!)
What can you do to help during their puppy years?
How calm your Cavapoo ends up becoming will largely be dictated by genetics, but there are things you can do to positively make them calmer.
Firstly, their environment makes a big difference. Studies have shown [1] that Environmental Enrichment (EE) has a direct effect on the relaxation of dogs, so it’s important that your Cavapoo is given the right attention to enhance its mood. Activities such as bonding with a human, supervised socialization with other dogs and even play with a bubble machine for only 15 minutes a day have been shown to improve relaxation. Giving your Cavapoo attention helps stimulate them both physically and mentally, which has a calming effect.
Exercise also makes a big difference. Cavapoos are generally small dogs and tire easily. If you’re dealing with a particularly energetic puppy, then a short walk is usually helpful to decrease some of that pent-up excitement. Make walking a regular fixture of your puppy’s early days and you’ll have the added benefit of forming positive routines with your dog and also improve your bonding with them – another positive benefit of exercise.
It’s also a good time to think about training. Dog training stimulates your dog mentally as they are learning, and they generally love the attention (and the food treats!) It’s also a great opportunity to socialize your Cavapoo with other dogs and for you to meet other owners. Training doesn’t have to be expensive either, look out for local community dog training schools and see what you can find in your area.
You should also expose your young Cavapoo to lots of different social environments early on. What is normal for you may be different to others – if you have a large family and regularly engage in social gatherings then its important your puppy experiences that early on. If you have a quieter ‘normal’ then just make sure you still socialize your puppy with people you’re close to so they become comfortable with other people.
Keeping Cavapoos calm is often as much about training yourself as it is them. Dog training is often said to be a process of training the dog’s owner, not the dog. Only by getting owners to follow a set pattern of behavior will your Cavapoo learn the same. One final tip to offer is to considering neutering your pup. Views vary widely on this but if this is something you’re comfortable with, it can help bring some calm. For male dogs in particular, this can be a helpful way to take the edge off some of their energy.
What if my Cavapoo doesn’t calm down?!
So you’ve reached the 2-year milestone and you still have a dog who is just full of beans. As challenging as this can be at times, no dog stays this way 100% of the time. When they are at their hyper-best, some of the puppy-stage tactics like long walks, socializing and spending time with them in games will make them happy and also take the edge off their excitement. Like most dogs (and humans!), Cavapoos will have a range of energy levels during the day with different emotions – there will be times when they are excited (especially when you return home!) and times when they are relaxed and chilled (my Cavapoo is fully grown and spends most evenings lying flat out in her basket exhausted!)
Final Thoughts
It’s an exciting journey to have a puppy Cavapoo, but their energy can be challenging at times. Remember to integrate some of the tips we’ve shared – exercise, play, training, socializing – to improve their mood and help them on the journey to adulthood.
Remember, there is a lot of physical, emotional, and mental development during puppy years, and like children it’s important that they explore their new world and understand it. Patience is key while they test their boundaries!
Finally, remember to enjoy this time; caring for a Cavapoo puppy is a special period so make the most of it while it lasts!
[1] Hunt, R.L.; Whiteside, H.; Prankel, S. Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Dog Behaviour: Pilot Study. Animals 2022, 12, 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020141