Cockapoo Training Tips

Discover 12 Expert Cockapoo Training Tips and Tricks

If you want to train your Cockapoo, there are some fundamental rules that you should follow, regardless of the type of training you’re aiming for. When you look for online training guides, you’ll come across countless tips and tricks, along with varying opinions on the best way to develop the desired behavior in your Cockapoo.

While many of these tips may have worked well for other dog owners, it’s important to remember that each Cockapoo is unique. Therefore, this guide doesn’t aim to tell you exactly how to train your pup.

Instead, think of it as a set of guidelines with 12 tips that have worked wonders for me when training new Cockapoos.

Cockapoo Training Tips – How To Train The Perfect Dog

Cocker Spaniel Pitbull Mix

Let’s take a look at my list of some important Cockapoo training tips you should follow!

Challenge Them Mentally

Cockapoos are intelligent little dogs, and it’s essential to keep them mentally stimulated to prevent boredom. As a responsible dog owner, you already know that your pup needs daily exercise and proper nutrition. However, it’s surprising how many owners forget to challenge their furry friends’ brains, which can lead to various behavior issues such as aggression, biting, and destructive tendencies.

To avoid these problems, it’s crucial to find games and activities that will engage your Cockapoo’s brain. So, when searching for training tips, make sure you consider their mental wellness as well.

If you’re running out of ideas on how to provide mental exercise for your Cockapoo, I highly recommend checking out my review of Brain Training for Dogs. As a dog trainer, I found this program to be an excellent resource for inspiration and ideas.

Do it the Same Way Every Single Time

When it comes to training your Cockapoo, remember that practice makes perfect! Whether you’re teaching your pup to sit next to you or trying to prevent growling at strangers and other dogs, it’s important to start with exercises that you know your furry friend can handle.

Starting with simpler tasks will build your Cockapoo’s confidence and give them a foundation for more challenging exercises. Don’t rush the process and move on to more advanced tasks before your pup is ready.

Take it at a pace where you’re both comfortable, and ensure that your Cockapoo can perform each exercise satisfactorily before moving on to the next one. Remember, from the first repetition to the completion of the task, consistency is key.

If It Doesn’t Work While on a Leash

It most certainly won’t work while off a leash.

Off-leash training won’t work for your Cockapoo, especially if they have issues with jumping on visitors or furniture. To prevent this behavior, try keeping your pup leashed when guests arrive.

Shorten the leash to prevent any slack that your Cockapoo can use to jump. When you open the door, your pup won’t be able to jump on the guest. Ask your pup to sit, and only let the guest pet them while they remain sitting.

If your Cockapoo doesn’t listen to your commands, gently pull them down from the guest or furniture using the leash. Don’t yank your pup around the room. Instead, make a quick turn and make sure your Cockapoo follows you.

Remember, consistency is key, and you may need to repeat this exercise several times until your Cockapoo understands. Keep in mind that training your furry friend to stay calm and well-behaved takes time and patience, but it’s worth it in the end.

Exhausted Doesn’t Mean Well-behaved

Having an exhausted Cockapoo doesn’t mean that they are well-behaved. Even small problems can escalate over time if not addressed properly.

If your furry friend can’t sit still when you’re trying to put a leash on them, you can’t expect them to patiently wait by the front door. This can make starting your daily walk a challenge, and the rest of the walk may be difficult too.

Your Cockapoo may become tired and walk slower, which might make them seem well-behaved. However, an exhausted dog isn’t the same as a well-trained dog.

To ensure your furry friend’s good behavior, it’s important to train them properly from the beginning. Teach them basic commands and manners to make daily activities, such as going for a walk, a more pleasant experience for both of you. Remember, consistency is key!

Have a Restoration Point

Cockapoos have a remarkable ability to associate specific emotions with precise areas. If you’re having trouble with certain behavior and notice that your pup is losing interest or getting stressed, try shifting to another area and training them on something they’re already good at.

This will give your Cockapoo a sense of accomplishment and help them regain their confidence. You don’t necessarily have to drive across the state to find a new location to train your furry friend. Even moving to another corner of the dog park or your own garden can make a difference.

For example, if you’re trying to train your pup to jump onto a table, but they’re having difficulty, try finding a lower table to start with. Once your Cockapoo has successfully completed a few jumps on the lower table, switch back to the higher table. With newfound confidence, your furry friend will likely have no issues jumping on the higher table.

Remember, training your Cockapoo takes patience, and it’s important to celebrate their successes along the way!

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If Your Dog Can’t Sit Properly

If your Cockapoo hasn’t learned to sit beside you when commanded, they likely won’t be able to walk beside you properly either. This can lead to issues such as reactive behavior towards people, vehicles, and other animals, growling, aggression, and being overly excited.

The solution to all these problems begins with the ability to do nothing at all. If your Cockapoo can’t remain calm and focus on you, it won’t be able to follow your commands effectively.

You can use various techniques such as using tasty treats or crate training to teach your furry friend to remain calm and not react to every little thing happening around them.

Like humans, Cockapoos need to focus and use their full attention before they can learn new things. So, take the time to train your furry friend to be calm and focused, and you’ll see an improvement in their behavior in no time.

You are Outside and Your Dog Refuses to Return Inside

If your Cockapoo refuses to come inside, use a long training leash and make sure you have a firm grip on the other end before signaling for them to return.

Gently tug on the leash to get your furry friend’s attention, using only enough force to get the desired response. When your Cockapoo returns to you, reward them with treats or their favorite toy. Repeat this process until you consistently get the best results every time.

This is a critical point where many people make mistakes in their Cockapoo’s training.

When adopting a new furry friend, people often start off enthusiastic about training and buy all the best products available. However, within the first week, they may lose interest and end up letting their pup do whatever they want.

It’s essential to continue with the previously mentioned exercise until you no longer need to pull on the leash at all. Your voice alone should be enough to bring your furry friend back to you.

If it takes about a month to reach this point, consider keeping the leash on for an additional amount of time as a safety measure. Remember, dogs are natural gamblers, and if they win even once, they may acquire a taste for it and require retraining.

Ensure that you get the desired results before your Cockapoo becomes too opportunistic. With consistency and persistence, your furry friend will learn to come back to you every time.

Avoid Commands You Won’t Follow Through On

As previously mentioned, your Cockapoo is likely a gambler or opportunist at the very least.

You may have put your furry friend through two months of intense training, following a great program on YouTube. And once it’s all done, you may believe that your dog is completely trained.

Your Cockapoo knows the meaning of commands like “stay” and “sit,” but suddenly, they don’t seem to listen when you give commands in the evening. Feeling tired after a long day, you may decide to let it slide, thinking it’s no big deal.

Unfortunately, by doing so, you’ve set yourself up for a lot of extra work.

If you give a command and don’t follow through until your furry friend responds correctly, they now know there are possibilities and may challenge your rules time and time again.

It’s important to be consistent with your commands and follow through until your Cockapoo complies.

Quit While You’re Ahead

It’s important to stop your Cockapoo’s training before they become mentally exhausted.

Working on your furry friend’s training for too long can lead to boredom, and you may become frustrated with their lack of progress. However, it’s your furry friend that should be annoyed with you for not recognizing their efforts during the previous 30 repetitions.

After 30 minutes of training, your Cockapoo may become exhausted and in need of a nap. This is especially important when working on more challenging tasks.

Once you see that your furry friend comprehends the concept of the task, stop the exercise and avoid repeating it 50 more times. This will prevent mental exhaustion and boredom, and ensure that your furry friend stays motivated to learn.

If Your Dog Becomes Stressed

Go back to the point where your Cockapoo felt comfortable.

When dogs feel stressed, they tend to exhibit unwanted behavior. That’s why it’s not a good idea to only train your Cockapoo in quiet surroundings. You need to work in situations where your furry friend might have a strong reaction and then work through those situations.

The only way to achieve proper Cockapoo training is to overcome stressful situations and get your furry friend to a point where they can master anything.

This doesn’t mean throwing your Cockapoo into the deep end right away. Instead, start with basic training and gradually introduce more challenging situations where your furry friend may feel a bit stressed. To avoid overwhelming your Cockapoo, try doing it in a controlled environment.

If you’re hesitant to expose your Cockapoo to these situations because you’re afraid of their reaction, start by training them in less stressful surroundings before gradually moving on. Remember to always go back to a point where your furry friend felt comfortable and builds up their confidence gradually.

Sometimes You Have to Take a Step Backwards

Before being able to take two steps forward.

To move forward with your Cockapoo training, it’s important to not forget the leash tip mentioned earlier. This isn’t just for your home or garden, but for any new situation, you encounter with your pup.

This is especially important when transitioning to a phase where your dog needs to consistently perform a behavior without any issues.

Even if your dog is reliable without a leash in familiar settings, don’t expect the same behavior in a new environment.

Always use a leash until you’re confident that your Cockapoo has full control of the situation before continuing with training exercises.

Avoid Testing Your Dog

While testing and exams might be effective for assessing a child’s progress in school, they are not suitable for Cockapoo training.

When working with your dog, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t simply test whether or not they will do the right thing. Rather, you should act as a leader and provide guidance as needed, consistently and patiently.

In my experience training other dogs, I’ve found that a gentle, compassionate approach often yields better results than a harsh or confrontational one.

Your actions during Cockapoo training may remain the same, but the attitude and energy you convey to your pup can have a significant impact on their learning and behavior. For a Cockapoo seeking to find its place in your world, a positive and supportive approach can make all the difference.

Cockapoo Training Tips

Sources

  1. “The effectiveness of dog training programs: A critical review of recent literature”. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159119300236
  1. “The use of positive reinforcement in animal training”. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159116302627
  1. “The effects of training and environmental enrichment on problem-solving ability in dogs”. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159118300915
  1. “Effectiveness of dog training with and without remote electronic collars vs. a focus on positive reinforcement.” Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159119304274

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