BREED GUIDE
YOUR COCKAPOO PUPPY
Cockapoos are a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, and as puppies most of them are bright, sociable and quick to pick things up. That cleverness works both ways, because they learn the habits you don't want just as fast as the ones you do, so what you start in the first few weeks really counts.
WHAT I'D START IN THE FIRST WEEKS
BEING LEFT
SHORT SPELLS ALONE
Lots of Cockapoos love their people so much that being left is hard for them. Short, calm spells on their own from the first week, where you go away but always come back, make a big difference later on.
THE NOSE
FEED THE SPANIEL SIDE
There's a working spaniel in there with a nose to match, so a walk that's all ball throwing won't settle them. Scatter their breakfast in the grass and let them sniff it out, because sniffing tires that brain far better than running.
GROOMING
HANDLE GENTLY, OFTEN
That coat needs grooming for life, so handling paws, ears and face from day one saves a lot of wriggling at the groomer. Pair every touch with something nice and keep it short, then stop before they've had enough.
