Oh thanks for these great tricks! I got my cockapoo six days ago. He was 12 weeks when I got him…and mostly untrained except for potty. In six days I’ve crate trained him, taught him to: Sit. Stay. Touch. Lay down. Shake. Gentle. Come when called. Fetch. And Kennel. And he’s even doing some things without treats. I feel so sad his first family gave up on such a smart beautiful little puppy. I love him so much. I’m glad I found your videos today.
Hello Julie, Not long now until you get your own cockapoo, I'm sure the excitement is beginning to build now. Have fun with him / her, and do let us know how you get on. Thank you for taking the time to contact us. Kindest Regards and Stay Safe, Karen
@@juliereeves8858 It's such an exciting time for you, and definitely the antidote to Covid-19. Enjoy your new puppy! Kindest Regards, and Stay Safe, Karen
These videos have been so informative, looking forward to working through them with my new cockapoo. I wondered if you had any other videos or advice on potty training? Thank you! Felicity
Hello Felicity, puppies are like children, in that some catch on to the notion of potty training sooner than others. There's no trick to it, just consistency - give your puppy opportunity to relieve itself after sleep, after feeding, after playing and when it indicates that action is imminent (e.g. sniffing and turning in circles). Stay out there with the puppy, and when it does empty its bladder or bowels in the right place praise it. If it makes a mistake in the house, don't tell it off, just take it outside to finish off - then praise for the outside work. Cockapoos are bright little things so it shouldn't take too long. Good luck! Best wishes, Karen
Hello Jamie, I'm so pleased you are enjoying the videos. My aim is to show people how easy it can be to train a puppy, and how much fun it can be. All the very best, Karen
Hi Karen! I love your videos so much. I am considering getting a cockapoo pup and just spent my evening watching your videos! So helpful. Puppy training looks daunting, but you make it seem fun and rewarding. I'm wondering at which point you stop giving your dog a treat after performing certain exercises, or if the expectation is that they always get a treat. Would they stop performing the exercises if they are no longer rewarded with treats, even if they have it down? Thanks again!
Hello Thais, Thanks for your kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. As to your point about treats. It is a good question. Initially the pup is rewarded each time it does as requested, but a reward word, I use YES, always accompanies the treat, which can be food or play. As the pup progresses, the reward word stays, but the treat is not given on every occasion. Don't use a set pattern of treating (eg every other one), but vary it so the pup is never sure if this is the lucky time or not. Eventually, you can give the odd treat, but the positive praise (YES) will make him or her happy.
Hi I Really am enjoying your videos Love your soft voice humour and Dill of course. I have a 3 and a half month cockerpoo her name is Evie I Love her to bits, we also have Lilly a 6yr old Chalky( half Chihuahua & Yorkie) They get on very well,but Evie gets needy if I even go up stairs etc,we haven't left her, on her own yet and if so she would be with Lilly,but could I put her in a cage when we do go out for a short while?I haven't put her in one since I got her,I know this is probably wrong but we have them with us at night.🤔♥️
Hello Jeanie, Thanks very much for your kind words and for taking the time to let me know you are enjoying the videos. Let me know how things go, and also if there is anything in particular you'd like to see covered. Kindest regards, Karen
Hello Jeanie, The poodle part of cockapoos can make them a little needy. The temptation is to be there to stop them being anxious, but it is actually better to build up their confidence that you will be back. If you have a stair gate, pop it across a door and stand the other side of it where the pup can see you but not get to you. Only go back when the pup is quiet and calm (may take some time!). When it is happy with that, gradually go out of sight, again only going back when it is quiet and calm. It may take a little time, but you'll get there. I'd also reintroduce the crate. Have it in the room with a nice welcoming bed and leave the door open. When she goes in it, give her a little treat. When she's happy with it, try popping Evie in her crate with a treat when she is tired. Only leave her for a short while, then have her back out again. I prefer to encourage my dogs not to be too dependent on other dogs in the house. Much as your other dogs are good with Evie, I'm sure there are times when they'd prefer some quiet time away from an energetic puppy. I guess I just feel sorry for the older dogs being used as an adventure playground. Good luck, get back to me if you need extra help, All the best, Karen
Great informative vids thanks. Our pup has been out walking only for 12 days. He’s scared of people, cowers and whimpers. Is this something that might ease off the more people he sees? Can’t interact with people as normal due to covid.
Thank you for your kind words. I don't think you'll be the only one with this problem. These early days are so important, and the opportunities to socialise is so restricted at the moment. From your pup's view, the world is a big and scary place. Don't be tempted to force him forward, just encourage him with your voice and praise him when he meets someone. Always ask people with dogs whether their dog is okay with puppies (some do not like them) - only encourage your pup to interact with quiet, calm dogs initially, and ask people to ignore the puppy and talk to you. Your puppy will take in the situation without fretting about someone trying to touch him or take him away from you. Seeing you calm and not making a fuss will increase his confidence. Give him time, don't pressure him, and praise him after every meeting. He'll soon get the message that it's not so bad after all. Kindest Regards, Karen
Hello there Dari, Thanks for the question, always pleased to help where I can. Dill is actually a Cockapoo, not a Cavapoo, but no matter, the issue of separation anxiety can occur with any breed. Hopefully you aren't thinking of leaving your puppy for long periods of time, because that would be a problem, but presuming you are talking about the odd hour or so, the secret is to get your puppy used to being alone. So, even at a young age start leaving the pup with distractions such as a toy or chew and just disappear into another room. Your pup may well start to complain. Don't rush back. Wait until it settles and then go back into the room. Don't make a huge fuss, just keep it as normal. Start off with very short disappearances (2 or 3 minutes) and slowly build up - sometimes walking out of the house and coming back. Try to avoid coming back when the puppy is crying. This way he or she will learn that you return only when all is quiet, but it will also build confidence in the fact that you are going to come back. If your puppy is the anxious type wait until it is tired before you leave the room (puppies sleep an awful lot, so you won't have to wait long). I don't know whether you intend to crate your puppy or not. I do mine because it makes sure they can't come to any harm or entertain themselves by chewing up the furniture. The crate soon becomes the place they will retreat to for security / sleep - so separation exercises are easier. Anyway, I won't go on, but do get back in touch if I can be of any more help.
Hello there, Thank you for watching our Dill films, and for your question about spaying. We have had Dill spayed, but you’ve probably noticed that there is considerable debate about whether and when dogs should be neutered or spayed. In Northern Europe the practice is considered as unacceptable whereas in the US and the UK it is commonplace. Even so, the debate rages about the age at which spaying or neutering should take place. For this reason I’d rather that you have a chat with your veterinary surgeon, and / or read the academic literature to help you come to the right decision for your pet. Hope this helps, Karen
