Training your cockapoo at an early age is one of the best investments you can make in your new pet to encourage good behavior and develop him to his full potential. Luckily, cockapoo training and even cockapoo puppy training is not as hard as you may think.
The value of training classes or dog schools is that you and your pet will learn training methods and obedience commands. Heeding the advice of dog training experts makes it easier to choose the right type of training and decide whether your cockapoo needs individual coaching.
The Earlier, The Better
Dog experts agree that many owners do not enroll their pets for classes or start training them early enough. The key is to start training your cockapoo pup from its first day in your home and even though that training will be basic, it will form the foundation for more formal training later.
One option is to get a qualified dog trainer who can provide hands-on obedience advice and encouragement to your cockapoo pup. Another is to follow the plan in our own, free Cockapoo Obedience Training Guide.
The best canine students are said to be aged between 8-12 weeks before they learn any negative behavior. Dont wait until your cockapoo is 6-12 months old before taking it to training classes if you have a choice. Having to unlearn bad habits is not easy.
Like a child, your cockapoo pup will benefit from regular training and practicing what it has learnt at dog school. Practice sessions with positive encouragement at home will further stimulate and engage your cockapoo in mental activities. Reinforce the bond with your cockapoo by taking it for ongoing obedience classes every few years.
Socializing is important for all dogs, but especially for your affectionate cockapoo with its intelligent, sensitive nature, so find a reputable trainer or dog expert that offers puppy socialization classes. If you are training him yourself, make sure that he is being well-socialized. Socializing with people and other dogs is essential from day one. Err on the side of caution to avoid landing up with an anxious bundle of aggression that snaps at everyone!
Obedience Training Options
Most obedience classes, held weekly over a 7-10 week period, offer different levels of training. For example, in a beginner class, your cockapoo is likely to learn the following:
- Stay, lie down, roll over and sit
- Leash control during walks not tugging on the leash
- To socialize with new people and handle unfamiliar places
- To refrain from chewing on furniture or jumping up on people and other dogs
- To respond when called
Note that you wont be able to address major problems such as excessive barking, aggression, or nervousness completely at a dog training school. If you need help, enlist the help of an animal behavior expert.
Don’t have the time or resources for an obedience class right now? With some effort, you can achieve the same effect yourself, and bond more with your dog in the process. Our free ebook, The Cockapoo Obedience Training Guide, contains the methods we have used successfully to home obedience train even difficult cockapoos.
If you’ve decided to get professional training and enroll your pup for obedience classes, it’s important to find one that works for you and your cockapoo.
Some of your resources may include doing online research, asking for word-of-mouth recommendations or looking through classified ads in your community newspaper. You could also get referrals from your local pet store, animal hospital, animal association, pet groomer or other dog owners.
Whoever you choose, make sure your dog trainer or school is reputable and has appropriate experience and qualifications.
Apart from dog training schools, you might decide to hire a dog trainer that offers personal individualized lessons. Personal dog trainers work because the training is not limited to a group and they can address specific problems in your cockapoo.
Lets say your cockapoo has the annoying habit of jumping up on everyone that comes to your home. A trainer would specifically work on teaching your cockapoo not to repeat this behavior.
For owners with the time and financial resources, a combination of personal dog training and obedience classes might be an option. That way, your cockapoo pup socializes with other dogs and learns how to handle with other distractions commonly found in everyday situations.
The good news for cockapoo owners is your dog’s specific temperament really lends itself to success in obedience training. All dogs can find obedience training, whether at home or in class, beneficial, but with their intelligence, high motivation, and train-ability most cockapoos excel at any schooling that involves positive reinforcement!
Editor’s Note: We also recommend our more comprehensive book, The Complete Cockapoo Owner’s Handbook, which is available for all types of e-reader software, including Kindle, Nook, iPad, smartphones, and computers. If you use Amazon, and are an Amazon Prime customer, it is also free to borrow. The 55,000 word book covers every life stage and most situations, from training a puppy to dealing with the challenges of older cockapoos.