Cockapoos are adorable dogs combining the favorable characteristics of the Poodle (intelligence) and the Cocker Spaniel (sweet, loving temperament). They are naturally social dogs that are full of energy and love to always be around people. But if you have recently gotten yourself a Cockapoo you might be surprised by their seemingly endless energy. It’s no surprise you may wonder when this will start to subside.
So, when do Cockapoos calm down? Most Cockapoos tend to calm down between the ages of one and two. The key to calming them down is frequent exercise and providing sufficient mental stimulation. Training and socialization with other dogs and people from a young age will also help.
Cockapoos may be cute, but they can certainly be a handful.
Perhaps not the docile cuddly teddy bear you had in mind.
And the truth is, many Cockapoos will remain energetic throughout their lives.
It is just a natural quality of the breed.
Thankfully, a lot of their additional puppy energy will subside, and there are some practical things you can do to make life a little easier.
If you want to know how; then be sure to stick around here today.
Why Are Cockapoos So Crazy?
Cockapoos tend to be hyperactive because of their intrinsic social nature. They like to be around people so much and will do anything they can to get their attention.
Many Cockapoo owners have reported feeling like they must constantly be watching their dogs or else they will be breaking and running into things.
Young Cockapoos are more prone to hyperactivity than their older counterparts.
Although many senior Cockapoos still retain much of that high energy.
In general, all puppies are, of course, more energetic than adult dogs, but the inherent vibrant personality of the Cockapoo combined with his youthfulness magnifies the energy.
Sometimes, restlessness can also be a sign of boredom and separation anxiety.
In truth, this behavior is prevalent not only in Cockapoos but in dogs who tend to get attached to their owners easily.
Dogs cope with boredom and separation anxiety by displaying undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking, peeing, chewing, and destroying things.
Do Cockapoos Ever Calm Down?
With early intervention and the right approach, Cockapoos can permanently calm down. The age at which they will do so will vary, however, and individual temperaments still play a role in the time that it will take.
If you are a first-time dog owner, this idea may discourage you from getting this breed, and that’s all right.
This is exactly why it’s important for potential dog owners to be familiar with specific breed traits so that they know what they’re getting into.
Some people and dogs are just not compatible.
For others, it just take a little bit of getting used to and may require a little bit more work than initially anticipated.
So, if you already have a Cockapoo, you can expect them to slow down if you train and exercise them right from the start.
As much as possible.
All dogs must be trained anyway to unleash their full potential and keep their temperaments in check.
The key is to train consistently and as soon as you get your puppy home.
At What Age Do Cockapoos Calm Down?
Many Cockapoos will begin to calm down between the age of one and two years. Although there may still be excessive energy beyond these years, it will not be displayed as much as when the dog was still a puppy.
Understandably, puppyhood and adolescence are when Cockapoos are most hyper.
In the third year of your Cockapoo, they will be much calmer.
Regardless, an adult Cockapoo will still need his regular daily exercise to burn off extra energy and fight off boredom which may result in hyperactive behavior.
How Do I Calm Down My Cockapoo?
If you’ve been with your hyper Cockapoo puppy for some time now and you’re at your wits’ end, do not fret.
Begin to realize that your dog will calm down in a year’s time naturally on its own accord. Equally, you can do something to help make things easier for you.
Training
Training your Cockapoo covers house training, crate training, leash training, and basic commands.
While training does not magically eliminate the excess Cockapoo energy, simple commands such as “Sit, “Stop,” or “Stay” help you keep excitable behavior under control.
House training is a minimum requirement that your Cockapoo must learn.
By house training your puppy, it minimizes the chances of his peeing everywhere in case he gets anxious.
Leash training is also essential, especially since you’re going to be walking your Cockapoo in the park or around the neighborhood regularly.
Chances are they will meet other people and other dogs, which may raise his adrenaline levels and stimulate him further.
Always take control of the leash when outside, and do not let your dog off it until he’s already been trained to behave himself.
Sudden loud noises in the surroundings may startle your Cockapoo and cause them to bolt, so be prepared for this.
It’s a good idea to walk or bring your dog to a public area where noise is minimal to prevent this from happening.
In case your dog gets anxious due to noise, you may instantly calm them down by touching or hugging them.
To be effective with training, do it as early and consistently as possible.
Encourage positive association with all aspects of training by being generous with rewards such as specific kinds of treats that appeal to your dog.
If you are consistent, it will take a couple of weeks or a few months for your dog to complete his lessons.
Exercise
The single best way to calm down a hyperactive Cockapoo is to exercise him regularly. The earlier you introduce this to them, the better they will take to it.
Unlike big dogs like the Labrador and the German Shepherd, which need plenty of exercise daily, the Cockapoo only needs a moderate amount.
However, exercise is still very crucial for your Cockapoo.
It will burn off excess energy and allow you some downtime too.
The saying “A tired dog is a happy dog” rings true.
For a very young puppy, start with brief daily walks for five minutes and some off-leash time to let him run around the backyard.
Increase the length of walks as your puppy adds months to his age.
A good rule of thumb is five minutes of walking per month of age (up to twice a day), so if your puppy is three months old, you may walk him for 15 minutes twice a day.
Remember not to overexercise your puppy as it may cause damage to his developing joints.
Some Cockapoo owners alternate walk time with playtime, as playtime can also overstimulate dogs.
For example, you can let your Cockapoo play and run around with other dogs one day and then choose to go on a relaxed walk the next day.
This minimizes the occurrence of injuries that may be caused by too frequent rough playing with other dogs.
Aside from walking, the following are some other physical activities that you and your pet can participate in:
- Swimming
- Fetch
- Tug
- Hide-and-seek
- Stairs
- Treadmill
- Agility courses
Mental Stimulation
Other than physical activities, your dog can also benefit from regular mental stimulation.
Cockapoos descended from the very intelligent Poodle breed, and smart dogs always need mental stimulation to keep their minds active and keep boredom at bay.
Puzzle toys are a great way to stimulate your dog’s intelligence and prevent boredom.
One of the most popular puzzle toys recommended for puppies and dogs alike by veterinarians is the Kong Classic.
It’s stimulating enough to keep your dog chewing at it for hours, and you can also fill it with treats to make it more enticing for your Cockapoo.
The Kong Classic is also considered to be one of the most durable toys around, and its a great price over at Amazon.
Nina Ottosson puzzle toys, such as this dog brick from Amazon, are also excellent mental stimulators for dogs.
These toys allow dogs to carry out mini-steps such as flipping and sliding little doors to retrieve the treats inside.
It’s also made with food-safe materials so you can be sure that it will not harm your dog.
The important things to keep in mind when choosing toys are their entertainment factor, durability, safety, and budget.
There are tons of toy selections that you can find online.
It’s a good idea to rotate between toys to ensure that your dog doesn’t get bored with a single one.
Resolving Anxiety In A Cockapoo
Cockapoos are very sweet and affectionate, and they can get quite attached to their owners.
The downside is this can cause separation anxiety whenever you leave home.
This is especially true for apartment dwellers who live alone. While Cockapoos adapt well to apartment living, they tend to not fare well when left alone.
Separation anxiety can cause destructive behavior such as barking, chewing, peeing, and destroying things.
To resolve this, do not leave your dog alone at home for long periods of time.
Puppies should only be left for a maximum of two hours, while adult dogs can be left for four to six hours max.
For elderly dogs, the amount of time they can be left varies depending on their health condition.
Make sure that you walk your dog outside first so that he relieves themself before you leave.
Be sure to leave them with something to do; interactive toys for instance to keep them entertained while you are away.
If you’re out at work for a 9-5 daily, consider asking a friend or getting a dog sitter to watch your dog.
If circumstances allow, you may also think about working from home so that you can be with your dog always.
What Cockapoo High Energy Means For Ownership
The high energy of Cockapoos certainly makes them a challenge.
It will mean that they require quite a bit of consistent effort and work to calm them down.
It also means that you must really dedicate some time to training, exercising, and playing with your dog. Besides, you want to ensure that they grow up to be a well-rounded companion.
They are not a docile breed by any stretch. But you likely know this already!
But try to enjoy it.
It is what adds to their little vibrant personalities after all.
In fact, many owners of adult Cockapoos report missing the days when their dogs were at their peak energy and always playing around.
Whatever you do, never punish your Cockapoo for being too energetic.
Otherwise, they will begin to fear you, which is not the kind of dynamic you would want to have with them.
It comes with all sorts of undesired consequences.
Being a responsible Cockapoo owner takes patience.
Enjoy their youthful days, be proactive, and in time you will be rewarded with a much more balanced dog.
Want to learn more about the Cockapoo breed? Then check out my following guides:
- Do Cockapoos Bark A Lot? [Our Experiences With This Breed]
- Do Cockapoos Shed? [What To Expect & Tips When Grooming]
- Are Cockapoos Aggressive? [Insights From A Current Owner]
- Can Cockapoos Swim? [Would They Event Want To Try?!]
- Best Brush For Cockapoo [I Sourced This Brush For My Dog]
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.