Are Cavapoos High Maintenance? (Any Guesses?)
I want to adopt a Cavapoo, but I know nothing about the breed. I want to learn a bit about them before deciding for sure that this mixed breed is the right dog for me.
Curious to learn more so I can decide. I used the internet and found out a lot about this mixed dog breed.
Are Cavapoos High Maintenance?
Yes, Cavapoos are considered high maintenance due to their many needs. Cavapoos are high maintenance because they should not be left alone for too long. They have a strong need for attention and physical closeness to those they love most, and if they don’t have that, they can sometimes suffer from separation anxiety and negative behaviors.
They are also high maintenance because of their increased need for regular grooming, which should happen a few times per week to keep them looking their best. Due to their high level of intelligence, they require a good amount of both physical and mental stimulation to feel content and happy.
Their energy and intelligence must be channeled correctly for them to behave as they should. The reason Cavapoos are high maintenance is related to their breeding background. The two purebred dog breeds that make up their background are the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Each of these dogs has its unique personality and temperament.
Still, they both make excellent companion animals that love nothing more than to spend time with their pet parents, being involved in what they are doing, and sharing in the fun. To help manage any high-maintenance dog breed, including the Cavapoo, it is best to have a schedule and routine that provides structure and helps the pet parents stay on track with meeting the many needs of their furry best friend.
Cavapoos are a mixed dog breed that combines the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle qualities. Both of these dog breeds have some great attributes, but each also has a few things that make them a bit high maintenance.
When these two are combined into one dog, their qualities are also combined. Such things as difficulty being left alone and suffering separation anxiety, as well as extra grooming and a need for well-rounded stimulation and exercise, are just some areas where this mixed breed can be considered high maintenance.
Despite there being high need, these adorable companion dogs are still amazing pets to welcome into any family. What can make this easier to do is if the pet parents have a set routine that is scheduled in a way that fits their lifestyle.
Pet parents can fit in such things as regular brushing and extra playtime, and a good long walk as it fits comfortably into the daily schedule for both them and the dog.
When it comes to leaving their Cavapoo alone for any length of time, having a routine and a plan in place that helps reduce stress for the dog can be tremendously helpful. With time the Cavapoo will understand the daily routine and schedule related to specific activities in their life and welcome these things as necessary and normal.
How do I manage the separation anxiety that might make my Cavapoo hard to leave at home?
The best way to manage the separation anxiety that might make your Cavapoo hard to leave at home is to have a schedule and a well-thought-out plan.
This plan will include a ritual that the pet parent uses to leave the house and return home. It will consist of a series of steps that the pet parent and dog pair follow each time the pet parent is to leave home without the Cavapoo.
This plan can be as simple as a quick walk around the block, followed by some treats and a goodbye kiss and saying Bye Bye Sweetie! Or it can be as elaborate as the pet parent wants to make it. The idea is to make it simple for the pet parent to do EACH when they leave the house and their Cavapoo. Some, most likely simple, is always best.
It can be helpful for the pet parent to leave something behind that they have worn, so their smell is close at hand should the Cavapoo need to snuggle. This can be a well-worn shirt or whatever works best. It is also essential to ensure that the house is safe, so the Cavapoo doesn’t get hurt, similar to childproofing but dog-proofing.
Aside from that, there should be some food and water, a few toys, preferably a few that mentally exercise the Cavapoo and anything else that would delight the Cavapoo.
The Cavapoo shouldn’t be left alone for too long, a couple of hours at most. If it needs to be longer, it is best to consider hiring someone to care for the dog in your home or taking them to doggie daycare, so they don’t suffer too much stress and anxiety in your absence. Some dogs, including the Cavapoo, suffer from separation anxiety that can be troublesome, and their well-being must always be considered.
The same can be said for when the pet parent returns home. They should have a solid plan in place. This plan can be simple, a quick hug and kiss with the fur baby when you come through the door, followed by a good walk and some treats while throwing a toy around for a few minutes. The point is, it should be done every time the pet parent returns home and not be so exhausting that the pet parent views it as a chore.
Suppose the pet parent finds that these ideas are not enough for their dog and the Cavapoo appears to be suffering from tremendous separation anxiety. In that case, it is always best to consult their veterinarian. Some dogs, despite every effort made, will still suffer. Training can help, as can the ideas above, but there may be a dog that cannot adjust to their pet parent being away from them in some cases.
Their veterinarian will have the best tips and ideas for getting through this challenging situation, so everyone feels happy and well cared for without being overstressed.
Is there a way to make my Cavapoo low maintenance when it comes to grooming?
Yes, there are ways to make your Cavapoo low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Having a schedule helps and using the right tools to get the job done right more efficiently is also recommended.
Aside from that, a well-trained dog is better adjusted to accepting the process of grooming as normal in their lives. This can make the grooming go smoother for both the Cavapoo and pet parent.
Other ideas to make grooming less of a daunting and time-consuming task include having the right haircut for you, Cavapoo. While the teddy bear style is adorable, it can be a bit more maintenance than another cut like the simple puppy cut that is easy and can be real short.
For some pet parents, it may be best to experiment with how they do the grooming. For instance, if they groom the Cavapoo three times a week for twenty minutes, it might be easier and more efficient to groom them for ten minutes six days a week.
Each day it will take less time, and the tangles or dirt that they find in the Cavapoos fur are less than usual, which makes it simpler. This also allows them to spend some time bonding and being affectionate with their dog while getting something that needs to be done, completed.
In some instances, it may be better to address the issues as they arise. This is meant by this because if they have been playing outside in the mud and they come in looking a little rough around the edges.
Instead of giving them a good brushing and deciding to hold off bathing for a day or two because that is when it is usually done, it might be easier to forgo the brushing and bath instead. The pet parent is killing two birds with one stone by washing them to clean and eliminate the brushing for that day since it really needed to be done anyway.
Good quality tools make all the difference in doing any job right; therefore, it is best to get the right ones from the start when selecting the tools to use. This includes brushes and combs, shampoo, scissors, and so forth.
There are different ways to do the same thing; being open to trying new methods can make a high maintenance situation low maintenance and, it is often fun experimenting to see what works for Cavapoo and pet parent pair.
Closing Points
We are all high maintenance sometimes, and that includes the adorable Cavapoos. What can make or break high maintenance needs is a routine or schedule that is etched in stone.
Doing things the same way takes the thinking out of the equation, which reduces stress. When stress is reduced, everyone is happier, even a high-maintenance Cavapoo!