The Complete Guide to Cockapoo Dogs: Everything You Need to Know to Successfully Raise, Train, and Love Your New Cockapoo Dog

By David Anderson

Bringing a new dog into your life is an exciting occasion, especially if the dog is a Cockapoo! This breed is cute, cuddly, and so much fun to have as a companion. However, a new dog is a lot of work. Before you even get the chance to pick out your dog, you'll need to think about things like breeders, training, and supplies. Don't worry—this book will guide you through everything you need to know about owning a Cockapoo! We'll cover it all, from food and exercise to grooming and vet care. By the end, you'll be more than ready to open your home to a new best friend.

The Complete Guide to Cockapoo Dogs is written for the busy new owner who needs to quickly and easily learn everything they NEED to know as they embark on their journey of Cockapoo ownership. This comprehensive guide answers every question you may have including:

1. Is a Cockapoo the right breed for me?
2. What do I do now that I've brought home my Cocakpoo?
3. How can I best train my Cockapoo?
4. What common mistakes should I avoid?

Be prepared for your new puppy, and all the challenges that come along with owning a Cockapoo. This book will take you on a step-by-step journey and walk you through virtually everything you'll need to know as a new Cockapoo owner, including:

1. The traits of the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle you'll find in your Cockapoo
2. Choosing a Cockapoo
3. Preparing your home for your Cockapoo
4. Puppy Parenting 101
5. Housetraining your Cockapoo
6. Socializing your Cockapoo with other animals
7. Cockapoos and Your Other Pets
8. Exercise – How Much Does Your Cockapoo Need?
9. Training Your Cockapoo
10. Dealing with Unwanted Behaviors
11. Basic Cockapoo Commands
12. Advanced Commands
13. Traveling With Your Cockapoo
14. Grooming Your Cockapoo
15. Nutrition and Healthcare

Cockapoos are great companions for a first-time dog owner or an experienced owner of a whole crew! They are adorable, peppy, sweet dogs that love to spend time with their people. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, and their goofiness makes them easy to love. There's a reason that this crossbreed has been popular for so long—they're the total package when it comes to awesome dog breeds!

When it comes to their appearance, there is so much variation that you have options when it comes to picking out the cutest. And their bubbly personalities will ensure that you immediately fall in love with them. There's still a lot of work to do before bringing home your new best friend, but by the time you reach the end of the book, you'll hopefully feel fully prepared for your new Cockapoo!

• Language: English
• Publisher: LP Media Inc
• Release date: Feb 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386243304

David Anderson

David Anderson lives in Minnesota with with wife Rebecca and their Teddy Bear puppy Buddy. An avid dog lover his whole life, David has translated that passion into his writing. Growing up on a farm, David was exposed to all sorts of animals; raising Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Horses, and Chickens, as well as caring for his families dogs and cats. "Some of my favorite memories as a child involve running through the pasture with my dogs, and lazy summer days spent lying in the grass with all the animals" Anderson said. "As a young boy I really wanted to be a veterinarian, and while I eventually chose a different path, my passion for animals never wore off." That passion for animals continued as he graduated college and started to make his way into the world. Mr. Anderson launched LP Media, a company that is dedicated to promoting and educating the public about the joys of pet ownership. The company started small, but quickly grew and now helps over a million pet owners every month. Anderson continues to write and search for ways to help other people who are contemplating the decision to become a pet owner. "My work is never done" he said. "I love helping other people and providing great resources that they can use to help better their lives, and the lives of their pets. I plan on continuing to create great products that help pet owners for as long as I can!"

Book preview

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Introduction to Cockapoos

What is a Cockapoo?

Understanding the Cockapoo’s Lineage

Cockapoo History

Physical Characteristics

Hypoallergenic Dogs

Behavioral Characteristics

Is a Cockapoo Right for Me?

Chapter 2

Choosing Your Cockapoo

Buying vs. Adopting

How to Find a Good Breeder

Choosing Your Cockapoo

Adoption Tips

Chapter 3

Preparing Your Home for Your Cockapoo

Adjusting Pets and Children

Household Dangers

Preparing Spaces for Your Cockapoo

Chapter 4

Bringing Your Cockapoo Home

The First Night Home

How to Find a Vet

Puppy Training

Supplies

How Much Will This Cost?

Chapter 5

Puppy Parenting

Standing By Your Expectations

Crate Training

Chewing

Barking

Separation Anxiety

Bedtime

Home Alone

Chapter 6

Housetraining

Different Options for Potty Training

The First Few Weeks

Rewarding Positive Behavior

Crate Training for Housetraining (and Other Tricks)

Chapter 7

Socialization

The Importance of Socialization

Behavior Around Other Dogs

Properly Greeting New People

Chapter 8

Cockapoos and Your Other Pets

Introducing Your Puppy to Other Pets

Pack Mentality

Fighting

The Dangers of Buying Littermates

What if My Pets Don’t Get Along?

Chapter 9

Exercise

Exercise Requirements

Types of Exercise to Try

Mental Exercise

Chapter 10

Training Your Cockapoo

Clear Expectations

Operant Conditioning Basics

Primary Reinforcements

Secondary Reinforcements

Dangers of Negative Reinforcements

Hiring a Trainer and Attending Classes

Owner Behavior

Chapter 11

Dealing with Unwanted Behaviors

What is Bad Behavior in Dogs?

Finding the Root of the Problem

Bad Behavior Prevention

How to Properly Correct Your Dog

When to Call a Professional

Chapter 12

Basic Commands

Benefits of Proper Training

Places to Practice

Clicker Training

Basic Commands

Sit

Down

Stay

Come

Leash Training

Chapter 13

Advanced Commands

Leave It

Drop It

Look at Me

Shake

Sit Pretty

Roll Over/Play Dead

Crawl

Competitions for Cockapoos

Chapter 14

Traveling with Cockapoos

Dog Carriers and Restraints

Preparing Your Dog for Car Rides

Flying and Hotel Stays

Kenneling vs. Dog Sitters

Chapter 15

Grooming Your Cockapoo

Coat Basics

Professional Grooming

Bathing

Trimming Nails

Brushing Teeth

Cleaning Ears

Home Grooming vs. Professional Grooming

Chapter 16

Nutrition and Healthcare

Importance of a Good Diet

How to Choose Your Dog’s Food

Homemade Food

People Food

Checkups and Preventative Healthcare

Fleas, Ticks, and Worms

Vaccinations

Genetic Illnesses

Senior Dog Care

Special thanks to Erin Hotovy

for her work on this project

LP Media Inc. Publishing

Text copyright © 2018 by LP Media Inc.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher. For information address LP Media Inc. Publishing, 3178 253rd Ave. NW, Isanti, MN 55040

www.lpmedia.org

Publication Data

Anderson, David.

The Complete Guide to Cockapoo Dogs / David Anderson. ---- First edition.

Summary: Successfully raising a Cockapoo dog from puppy to old age --- Provided by publisher.

ISBN: 978-179277532

[1. Cockapoo --- Non-Fiction] I. Title.

This book has been written with the published intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter included. While every reasonable precaution has been taken in preparation of this book the author and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained inside. The techniques and suggestions are to be used at the reader’s discretion and are not to be considered a substitute for professional veterinary care. If you suspect a medical problem with your dog, consult your veterinarian.

Design by Sorin Radulescu

First paperback edition, 2018

The Complete Guide to Cockapoo Dogs

David Anderson

Chapter 1

Introduction to Cockapoos

Cockapoos are people pleasers; they love nothing more than to make the people around them happy! They are a happy go lucky breed that is perfectly content snuggling on the couch with you, or taking a trek through the woods: they just go with the flow. They are also incredibly intelligent and there is no limit to the things that they can be taught!

Jamie

Cute Cockapoos

Bringing a new dog into your life is an exciting occasion, especially if the dog is a Cockapoo! This breed is cute, cuddly, and so much fun to have as a companion. However, a new dog is a lot of work. Before you even get the chance to pick out your dog, you’ll need to think about things like breeders, training, and supplies. Don’t worry—this book will guide you through everything you need to know about owning a Cockapoo! We’ll cover it all, from food and exercise to grooming and vet care. By the end, you’ll be more than ready to open your home t o a new best friend.

What is a Cockapoo?

The Cockapoo is not a single dog breed—instead, it’s a cross between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. On their own, both breeds are fine dogs, but together, they create a super-hybrid that you’ll be sure to love. Like many Poodle crossbreeds, this breed has a curly, fluffy coat and can vary in size, depending on breeding.

A Cockapoo is often designated as a designer dog. This means that there is no purebred standard for them. Instead, two breeds are crossed to take desirable traits from one breed and infuse it within another. Designer breeds have become increasingly popular in recent decades, and there are tons of different hybrids out there for potential dog owners to choose. But this varied lineage does not mean that designer dogs are mutts—they are carefully bred and adored by organizations dedicated to the hybrids.

Understanding the Cockapoo’s Lineage

You’ll find that a Cockapoo has the very best qualities of the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel. This breed has a curly coat with big, floppy ears. They have a lot of energy but are also intelligent and easy to train. To understand this cross breed, it helps to understand the common traits attributed to the Poodle and Cocker Spaniel as individual breeds.

Poodles are commonly used in crossbreeding designer dogs, and for good reason. Perhaps the most obvious desirable trait is their curly coat. A Poodle crossbreed’s fur tends to mix textures with whatever breed it is crossed with. A straight-haired breed will yield wavy-haired offspring when crossed with a Poodle. Also, Poodles are bred to be different sizes, leading to some variation and choice when it comes to the Cockapoo. Standard Poodles can grow to be rather large, so the Miniature and Toy Poodle were created. When you see breeders advertise smaller-than-average Cockapoos, it’s likely that the Cocker Spaniel is bred with one of these smaller types of Poodles.

While the Poodle is often stereotyped as being pompous and prissy, this is not the case with the breed. Poodles are one of the more intelligent dog breeds, meaning that training is easy with them. They are sensitive dogs, so they are able to take in a lot of information from their surroundings. This is a good thing when it comes time to train your dog, as a sensitive dog cares about the nonverbal cues their owner presents. A sensitive dog generally wants to please their owner, so they are able to better understand what you want and adjust their behavior accordingly.

Poodles also have a ton of energy and require lots of play and exercise. As with any intelligent breed, mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. This dog can get along well in a small home or apartment as long as the owner commits a few hours to exercise and play each day.

The Cocker Spaniel is much smaller than the standard Poodle and rarely grows to be larger than thirty pounds. This dog’s coat is very thick with a slightly wavy texture. This is one of those breeds where frequent grooming is non-negotiable; without regular brushing and trimming, the coat will turn into a matted mess. This breed also has adorable floppy ears, which are prone to infection, especially if moisture is trapped underneath.

Cocker Spaniels are friendly dogs, and they are very much owner-oriented. They want to spend as much time as possible with their favorite people and dislike being left alone. They are moderately stranger-, kid-, and dog-friendly, though they are highly sensitive and may initially distrust others until they have the time to sniff them out. They may also bark at the sound of a doorbell, as they will want to protect their owner from whatever unknown danger is out there. With this breed, socialization is key because they need to learn how to get along with a variety of people and animals.

As is the case with other small breeds, Cocker Spaniels don’t require as much exercise as larger dogs. They are playful and energetic, but not to the point where they are unmanageable. This dog is satisfied with a nice walk at the end of the day, with lots of cuddles and attention in between.

You’ll find that the Cockapoo is really the happy medium between these two dog breeds. They’re full of energy, but not constantly bouncing off the walls. They have a coat that requires grooming, but don’t shed a lot of fur. They are cuddly and very friendly towards others. It’s no surprise that this crossbreed has been popular for so many years.

Cockapoo History

While Poodle crossbreeds have been extremely popular in recent years, the Cockapoo has been around longer than you’d think! This breed dates back nearly sixty years ago. It’s not certain if the first Poodle/Cocker Spaniel was purposeful, but the breeder liked the result they got and it took off from there. Since then, breeders have continued to perfect this cross to produce the most desirable traits in this dog.

In 1999, the Cockapoo Club of America was created to promote a breed standard. Because this is not a pure breed that dates back to an era where dogs were workers, there were no official standards to aim for. Appearance and dispositional traits were mainly up to the individual, as there was no official kennel club designation to provide breeders with these standards and rules. This club prefers breeders to use Cockapoos in their crosses, instead of creating a first-generation Poodle/Cocker Spaniel pup, in order to maintain some consistency in the breed.

On the other hand, the American Cockapoo Club, founded in 2004, discourages members from crossing multi-generational Cockapoos with one another and promotes the breeding of Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. As you can see, there’s more than one way to breed a Cockapoo! While both groups have differences in bringing about the perfect Cockapoo, both stress the importance of skilled and responsible breeding in order to keep the breed intact.

With these organizations and standards, breeders are able to produce litters of Cockapoos with similar characteristics. That way, when you buy a Cockapoo from a breeder, you have a good idea of what you’re getting. Breed standards do not only affect the appearance of the dog, but also the behavioral characteristics.

Physical Characteristics

The standard Cockapoo is not a small dog. Often referred to as a Maxi Cockapoo, these dogs are more than nineteen pounds and at least fifteen inches tall. This breed also has a single coat that can come in a range of textures. The curly or wavy coat is the most