One of the biggest reasons why Cavapoos (or Cavoodles as they are known in Australia) are so popular is because they are such an easy dog to look after and they give so much back. Ask any owner about their Cavapoo and they will generally get a big smile across their face as they tell you about them. But, like all dogs, there are some key steps you must take to ensure your Cavapoo is a happy dog that will give you years of warmth and entertainment.
The 7 steps to a happy Cavapoo are:
- Exercise moderately
- Groom regularly
- Feed them a nutritious diet
- Maintain regular visits to the veterinarian
- Provide them with key training, tailored to their intelligence
- Provide them with Cavapoo-appropriate toys
- Give them plenty of attention and socialize regularly
Each of these steps will help form a wonderful little dog, so let’s make sure we’re clear on what it takes to meet each. We’ll explore the factors which are unique to the Cavapoo which we must take into account when applying these factors. Let’s explore them one by one so we can set you up for doggy success!
Exercise
It’s normal as humans that we get bombarded by adverts telling us to exercise more to stay fit. It’s really an essential part of being alive that we look after ourselves and our bodies. Dogs are no different; exercise needs to form a key part of their regimen. They difference with Cavapoos is they require a specific level of exercise to make sure they get what they need, but not too much.
Cavapoos generally come in Small and Medium sizes, although teacup and miniature sizes are known – but read our article here on why we do not recommend these smaller sizes. Even if your Cavapoo is small, they will be a big ball of energy and you shouldn’t be surprised if as puppies they can race around your yard or lounge room at Ferrari-like speed.
But their exercise needs are specific to their size, and despite early excitement they will tire quite easily.
We recommend around 30 minutes of exercise a day as a great starting point for a Cavapoo. Monitor them during this time and see how they go with a longer walk, or whether they get too puffed out afterwards. Generally a Cavapoo that does not exercise, or get enough time to play with you, will be more restless towards the end of the day. Exercise helps put a stop to that.
By the same token, one of the attractive qualities of a Cavapoo is that missing a day of exercise won’t be the end of the world. I know several owners of larger breeds – including Labradors Retrievers and Border Collies – who NEED one or two daily walks to keep them fit and trim and out of mischief. But Cavapoos don’t need this same level of commitment.
So key takeaway – make sure you plan regular exercise for your Cavapoo. A short daily walk, or play session in the yard or home should be perfect to give them what they need.
Grooming
One of the most sought-after qualities of Cavapoos is its poodle-lineage which generally stops them shedding. Speak to any owner of a big hair dog and they will roll their eyes when they describe how much hair they constantly have to vacuum up.
But the downside of having a non-shedding dog is your Cavapoo will require regular grooming.
As a starting point get yourself a good two-side pin and bristle brush. These brushes are great for combing your Cavapoo regularly and making sure their coat stays relatively knot-free. Leaving too long between brushes can lead to tangles and matting which makes their next brush session painful and unwelcome.
You should also aim to wash your Cavapoo regularly – about once every two weeks is a good starting point. Washing gives you the opportunity to use a good dog conditioner to help soften their fur and ease out any knots.
Every 4 to 8 weeks you should plan to get your Cavapoo professionally groomed. Professional groomers are masters of restoring your Cavapoo’s coat to its former glory, and making their ‘haircut’ just the way you want it. Some groomers come to you or you may prefer to take your dog to a dog salon. The downside of grooming professionally is the cost – it will be a regular thing so you should budget for it.
As well as their coats, the groomers should also be able to help trim your Cavapoo’s nails to make sure they remain the best length and don’t hurt them (or your furniture!)
Lastly, don’t forget that Cavapoos need to look after their teeth which can be fixed through regular brushing with a dog toothbrush, or having a packet of dog chews in your home which are great to polish up your Cavapoos pearly whites.
Feeding
Your Cavapoo will of course need regular feeding. Generally, two small portions of food a day is plenty to provide them with what they need.
There is a huge range of dog food options to choose from, just make sure you’re providing a quality product free from artificial ingredients and sugar. This can be ‘wet’ food (i.e. meat rolls which you keep in the refrigerator and slice each day) or dry dog food.
Cavapoos love a treat every now and then and a small can of tuna or salmon will always get their attention! Also, pieces of roast chicken will also be a favorite (but make sure you don’t give them cooked bones in the chicken – dogs can get seriously hurt eating soft bones).
Watch their weight and check in with your vet regularly to make sure they are maintaining a good coat and overall are maintaining their health. They will quickly advise if your Cavapoo is over-eating which is very easy given they are small-to-medium sized dogs (and many Cavapoo owners find it hard to avoid indulging their Cavapoos with treats – usually blaming their irresistible puppy-dog eyes!)
Don’t forget to regularly top-up their water bowl too. Cavapoos need regular water and access to take a drink whenever they need one.
Health
Cavapoos are generally considered a ‘healthy’ dog breed and can live up to 15 years, but despite this there are some key things you should factor in and some illnesses you should be aware of.
Start their vet checks early – generally your breeder should have taken your Cavapoo for their first check-up before you even receive them as a puppy. These early checks will provide a health report on your pup and make any mandatory steps – such as microchipping your dog, which is required in many countries – is complete.
Vets will prescribe a schedule of regular health checks, which is likely to including worming tablets and flea treatments. Each vet will be different in what they prescribe, so consult them for the best advice. should still make sure you choose a vet and take them in for their regular check up, or whenever you have a concern with your Cavapoo.
While most Cavapoo owners never experience serious health issues with their pets, there are some health concerns to be aware of. These come from their King Charles Cavalier Spaniel or Poodle parents and can include mitral heart valve disease, luxating patellas, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, cataracts and other eye disorders.
If you live in a wamer climate you should also be wary of sun exposure as dogs with short coats are prone to sun burn. Its especially important you keep your Cavapoos indoors on hot days.
Training
A well trained dog really means a well trained owner. It’s about building your relationship with your Cavapoo, establishing boundaries and ensuring that the line of authority is clearly established. Focussing some time into training your Cavapoo will ensure a happier dog that understands their role in your ‘pack’ and is all the happier for it.
Training a Cavapoo is relatively straightforward when compared to many other breeds. Their Poodle lineage which makes them smart from the get-go and you can really take advantage of this when it comes to training. Also, I’m yet to meet a Cavapoo who isn’t extremely food motivated so you’re off to a great start when it comes to rewarding good behavior.
There are ranges of training from the basics to advanced stuff. You don’t need to train your Cavapoo to roll over or play dead on command, but it will pay to put some time into toilet training – for obvious reasons – sitting when required, staying when required and also returning to you when needed in case they are at risk when you’re out and they are off lead. This last one is especially important given your Cavapoo’s Poodle background – Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs so will be very tempted to run towards temptations in the great outdoors, so training is very important to keep them safe.
Toys
Cavapoos are well known sock thieves – so don’t be surprised if those odd socks in your laundry basket are caused by your villainous canine. Of course we want to encourage our Cavapoos to play with their own toys rather than our undergarments, so getting them some decent toys will be a big help.
Our household still remembers the unfortunate episode of the Calico Critters that suffered life-altering injuries after our puppy Cavapoo thought two members of the rabbit family were ‘chew toys’. We learned a valuable lesson that day – to make sure anything that looks like a dog toy but is not is put well out of reach.
As Cavapoos mature they will become more able to judge whether a toy is theirs or not. One way to enforce these boundaries is by making a big fuss when presenting a toy to your Cavapoo that is ‘theirs’…similarly a firmly applied ‘no!’ when they bit something which is not theirs will get the message across.
Cavapoos love small squishy toys, especially if they have an inner squeak. It’s quite a sight to watch a Cavapoo systematically bite and rotate a toy in their mouths until they locate that ‘squeak spot’ then they’ll have the pleasure of squeaking it endlessly in satisfaction.
Hiding toys under cushions and having your Cavapoo look (smell) for them is a great game to play. They will love to engage, but will usually take their toy away when they’ve had enough.
Cavapoos are generally not destructive eaters of toys, but always be careful when introducing a toy to them. Also only give them specially designed dog toys. Non-dog toys often don’t take the punishment of the dog’s jaws biting down for long periods which can lead to bits breaking off and accidentally swallowed by your Cavapoo.
Social Side
We’ve saved the most important component of making your Cavapoo happy until the end. It’s vital you give them a chance to be social within your household and beyond.
Cavapoos are bred to be around humans. They love human company and will often choose human playmates over other dogs. They love playing with you, walking with you or just sitting in your lap keeping you warm. They love to be stroked, cuddled and preened and these are all great bonding experiences for you both.
Playing games with your Cavapoo is also a great bonding experience so make sure you spend some regular time with them. Games don’t need to be complicated with a Cavapoo – a simple game of fetch or running around the lounge room will get them excited and happy.
Make sure part of your routine also includes taking your Cavapoo out to meet other people and other dogs. It’s important they be socialized from an early age so they learn that it’s not just your family in the world.
Wrap Up
Choosing a Cavapoo as a pet is a great choice and they can bring a lot of fun to your family. Make sure you keep these seven key steps in mind so you can make the most of your dog and help them integrate and become an integral part of your home.