A Cavoodle is a type of dog that is bred by pairing a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a Poodle. It is common for breeders to use miniature or toy poodles. The Cavoodle is one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia for several reasons.
In particular, these dogs are affectionate, loyal, and intelligent. Thanks to these attributes, training a Cavoodle won’t be too difficult. Many Cavoodle dogs are also considered hypoallergenic, which is one of the main reasons they’re highly sought-after.
They’re great for people with allergy problems. Nevertheless, a Cavoodle dog must be properly trained to eliminate all behavioral issues. The most common issues include aggression, separation anxiety, and excessive barking. These issues and potential solutions will be explored in more depth below.
Common Cavoodle Behavior Problems
Cavoodles are smart so it may be possible to eliminate any bad behaviors. However, failing to address these problems early in the dog’s life will make them harder to deal with later.
New Cavoodle owners should begin training their dogs as soon as they get home. Start with potty training before moving to obedience training. Refer to the problems below to find out which problems you may encounter.
1. Aggression
Why is my cavoodle aggressive? Typically, cavoodle dogs are not aggressive. Nevertheless, there is always a chance that they’ll experience a behavioral change and become more aggressive.
Poodles are among the breeds most likely to attack humans. Therefore, there will be a possibility that your cavoodle will turn aggressive out of the blue. If you notice any barking or growling when your dog encounters strangers, it is time to buckle down and engage in more obedience training. A cavoodle may become aggressive for a number of reasons.
It may not be getting enough exercise or it may not be sociable enough. The key is identifying the source and fixing the problem before someone gets injured. It is best to start training your cavoodle as a puppy.
Introduce your dog to other canines and felines. You should also take your dog to the park to expose it to other people. Teaching your dog to use a leash will make controlling the dog’s behavior easier. To eliminate aggressive behavior, it will require patience.
2. Hyperactivity
Smaller dogs tend to be more energetic than bigger dogs. Therefore, you may encounter a hyperactivity issue with your cavoodle. Usually, these dogs aren’t considered hyperactive.
This shouldn’t be an issue when they get older and receive proper training. Still, there is a risk that something went wrong during the dog’s puppyhood. If this is the case, your dog may have too much energy.
When your dog doesn’t go for lengthy walks, it will have to do something else to unleash its energy.
In some cases, this will lead to hyperactivity. It can also cause excessive barking and destructive behavior. Besides ensuring that your dog gets plenty of physical exercise, you’ll also need to keep it mentally stimulated.
Ways to mentally stimulate your dog include playing hide-and-seek, hiding treats around your home, and using puzzle toys. Wearing out your dog during the way to stop hyperactivity at night.
3. Separation Anxiety
Some Cavoodles are going to develop separation anxiety while others will not. It depends on what happens during the early months of the dog’s life.
People who work from home and those who don’t work are going to spend more time at home with their pets. As a result, the dog is going to expect you to be there around the clock.
When you leave, there is a risk that the dog will become anxious. It is essential to prevent this before it becomes a problem. After all, separation anxiety in dogs can lead to injuries and destroyed property.
Try leaving a special toy for your dog. Keep things at home that maintain your dog’s interest while you’re away. You should also try getting your dog to relax when alone. Before leaving, take your dog for a walk.
This will reduce its energy level and stop it from damaging something. You’ll also want to prevent disturbances. You can leave on the television or radio to block out noises from outside.
If this doesn’t work, you may need to hire a dog sitter. This is the best option if you’re going to be away from home for several days.
4. Excessive Barking
Unfortunately, cavoodles are prone to excessive barking. This can happen for a number of reasons. One of the main causes is that the dog is seeking attention. The dog may be asking for something, such as a treat or water.
It may want to play or go for a walk. Your dog is trying to tell you something so you’ll want to listen. Separation anxiety is another issue that can lead to excessive barking. When you’re out of your home, your dog may believe that barking will cause you to come back.
Your dog may bark because it is bored too. Find ways to stimulate your dog and reduce its energy level. Taking your dog for a long walk will help. Once you’ve returned, your dog might be too tired to bark.
Never reward a dog for barking because this will only encourage the behavior. Some dogs bark because their owners thought it was cute when they were puppies.
5. Destructive Behavior
Unfortunately, all dogs can eventually turn to destructive behavior. No one wants this to happen because a dog could easily destroy expensive equipment and furniture. Chewing tends to happen due to boredom and a lack of training.
Digging is another issue. Sometimes, dogs may dig holes so they can roll around in the cold dirt. Dogs can also dig because they find it comforting. An anxious dog may believe it can dig a hole for protection.
These bad behaviors should be addressed before something is seriously destroyed. Extensive obedience training will help. They may stop if you can convince your dog that doing something is wrong.
They should know not to do something when you tell them no. Another good way to stop these behaviors is by giving your dog more exercise and attention. Keep it busy elsewhere so it won’t dig holes in your backyard.
Factors Influencing Cavoodle Behavior
Several factors can impact a cavoodle dog’s behavior. Some of these will be explained below.
1. Genetics And Breeding
Genetics and breeding will always impact a dog’s behavior. Puppies take on the behaviors and temperaments of their parents. If you get a cavoodle, your dog is going to behave like a poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
It will have the good and bad qualities of these dogs. You’ll also need to pay close attention to the breeder. Unfortunately, some breeders encourage bad behaviors that will be difficult to break later on.
You’ll have to do it if the breeder hasn’t potty trained the dog. Dog breeders should do their best to promote good behavior from day one.
2. Early Socialization And Training
A dog’s training can make a big difference. Dogs are similar to people in numerous ways. Children learn things in childhood that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
You may have difficulty socialising if you weren’t exposed to other children when you were young. You might become an introvert. Your dog will do the same. Exposing your dog to other canines can be very helpful. Otherwise, the dog may begin seeing other dogs as threats.
It is also easier to train a dog from an early age. As the old saying goes, teaching an old dog new tricks is impossible.
While this may not be true, it is harder to train an old dog. Start training your dog from an early age to ensure that it behaves correctly into adulthood and beyond.
3. Health Issues
Unfortunately, certain health issues can lead to behavioral issues. Even if you’ve thoroughly potty trained your dog, there is a risk that it’ll begin urinating in your home. In some cases, this is caused by a health issue.
The dog may not be able to hold it as a result. You shouldn’t punish a dog for these behaviors because it isn’t the dog’s fault. Some of the most common health issues for cavoodles include DMVD, cataracts, hip dysplasia, and epilepsy. When possible, these issues can be treated to quell the bad behavior.
A dog with cataracts may have difficulty urinating outside due to its eyesight problems. Learn more about your dog’s health issues and do your best to treat them. Don’t scold a dog for problems caused by underlying medical issues.
Training And Socialization Tips
Cavoodles are smart so they can be trained to eliminate any unwanted behaviors. Just make sure that you’re using the right techniques. Otherwise, you may end up doing more harm than good.
1. Positive Reinforcement
When training a cavoodle dog, it is always recommended to use positive reinforcement training. Positive reinforcement techniques provide numerous benefits that go well beyond training. For instance, these techniques are going to reduce the dog’s aggression and anxiety. On top of that, you’ll be able to build a stronger bond with your dog. It will begin respecting and trusting you.
Positive reinforcement is also a good way to keep your dog mentally stimulated. In return, this will help prevent boredom and curb bad behaviors. Don’t feel obligated to give your dog a treat every time it does something right. Instead, a pat on the head will do the trick. Other alternatives include praise or specific toys.
2. Socialization
It can be embarrassing to take your dog to the park only for it to bark at everyone. If this is happening, you likely didn’t let your dog socialize with others enough. From an early age, you should try to expose your dog to other canines, cats, and people.
This is the only way to stop them from seeing other dogs and people as threats. Invite a friend with a gentle dog to your house if possible. Then, you can let your dog socialize with your friend’s dog in a controlled environment.
Allow the dogs to walk close to one another. Give them time to sniff each other briefly. Then, lead your dog forward. If the dogs seem aggressive, keeping them at a safer distance might be best until they calm down.
If you intend to remove the leash, use verbal commands to call your dog away when you notice signs of aggression. Proper socialization will help ensure that your dog isn’t aggressive around other dogs or humans. It’ll also greatly reduce the likelihood that someone will get bitten later.
3. Professional Help
At some point, you may find that you can’t break your dog’s bad behavior. If this happens, you may want to get professional help. Thankfully, Australia is full of excellent dog trainers.
In Australia, consulting with the National Dog Trainers Federation would be a good idea. The organization is the country’s only provider of trainers that has been approved by the government. Choose a trainer that has received a certificate from this organization.
On top of that, you should carefully research the trainer to ensure that they’ll properly train the dog without any inappropriate tactics. The price for dog training in Australia varies. Some charities offer dog training classes for as little as $130.
Private training will be more expensive than group sessions. Expect to pay between $100 and $250. The dog training industry is estimated to employ more than 1,700 people in Australia, so you have plenty of options.
Conclusion
Cavoodles can be well-behaved when they’re trained thoroughly. Otherwise, they may bark excessively and turn to destructive behavior. They can also become aggressive around people and other pets.
Suffice to say, it is pertinent to stop these behaviors before they spiral out of control. The best way to do that is by training the dog as early as possible. As soon as your cavoodle gets home, start promoting good behavior.
Potty training and obedience training can be done together. If you put in the work, your cavoodle will be well-behaved as an adult.
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