How Much Exercise Does My Cockapoo Need? Breed Facts & FAQs
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When you mix a poodle with a cocker spaniel, you get an intelligent and active dog that resembles a teddy bear. If your cockapoo is climbing the walls or chewing on your sofa, you may wonder if they’re getting enough exercise.
Cockapoos are a breed that requires daily exercise, but how much depends on your dog’s age and overall health. A cockapoo puppy might need three or four long walks to burn off energy, while an older cockapoo will be happy with one stroll around the block. Below we answer your questions about your cockapoo’s exercise needs.
How Often Should I Walk My Cockapoo Puppy?
Sticking to a daily routine is one of the best things you can do for your cockapoo puppy. This intelligent breed will quickly learn when it’s time to play, go outside, eat, and rest. Your cockapoo’s schedule should mesh with yours, so you have flexibility when you do the activities during the day.
Your cockapoo puppy should go outside for a potty break first thing in the morning, after eating, after napping, and right before bed. That comes out to around eight trips outside each day. If you have a fenced-in yard, some of these breaks can be off-leash and don’t need to be a walk with you.
A longer walk after breakfast can tire your puppy out for nap time. Another walk after supper is a good idea, too. Be aware that a long walk or strenuous playtime late in the day may overstimulate your pup, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Can You Over-Exercise a Cockapoo?
You can over-exercise any breed or age of dog, including a cockapoo. The biggest danger in over-exercising a cockapoo is the risk of heatstroke. A cockapoo’s fur provides insulation during the winter but can become stifling during hot weather. All dog owners should know the signs of heatstroke in dogs: excessive panting, vomiting, diarrhea, stumbling, weakness, and seizures.
Some adult and senior cockapoos may forget they’re not puppies anymore and overdo it. It’s up to you to ensure your dog doesn’t overexert itself. Dogs show muscle aches and pains the same way we do. So, if your cockapoo moves slowly after a hard day of play, you know to scale back their future exercise sessions.
When in doubt, frequent shorter walks and play times are better than one or two long walks each day.
Are Cockapoos Hyperactive?
Your average cockapoo is not a couch potato, as both the poodle and the cocker spaniel have higher exercise needs. While you can count on a cockapoo puppy having a lot of energy, all dog breeds tend to slow down as they age. Hyperactivity, along with excessive barking, acting withdrawn, and destructive behavior, are signs that your cockapoo is not getting enough physical or mental stimulation.
Cockapoos are typically good with children, affectionate, trainable, and have a desire to please their owners. That allows the whole family to interact with your cockapoo, joining in on playtime, walks, and trips to the dog park.
As for doggy playdates, cockapoos with a higher percentage of poodle ancestry may be leery or opposed to hanging out with other dogs. Poodles are hit-or-miss when it comes to enjoying the company of other dogs. Cocker spaniels are likelier to enjoy canine companionship and burn off excess energy with a doggy friend.
How to Tire Out a Cockapoo: 5 Ideas
Walks are a great form of exercise for your cockapoo but can become boring. Here are five ideas to tire out your cockapoo.
- Healthy cockapoos are well suited for agility training, providing physical and mental exercise.
- Enroll your cockapoo in an obedience training course or canine good citizen course.
- Give your cockapoo a KONG dog toy filled with treats, peanut butter, or wet dog food.
- Turn your cockapoo’s mealtime into an exercise session using a feeder puzzle.
- Consider taking your cockapoo to a dog daycare a day or two a week. They’ll come home tired from all of their adventures.
When Will My Cockapoo Calm Down?
You may feel a little overwhelmed if you can’t keep up with your cockapoo puppy. Your dog will settle into adulthood around their first birthday when you should notice that their intense puppy energy starts to fade. A healthy cockapoo will have plenty of energy for most of its adult life, but an illness or injury may slow them down sooner.
You may need to increase your cockapoo’s daily exercise if they seem always to be getting into things. Chewing or scratching furniture and pacing can signal that your dog has some energy to burn.
Do Older Cockapoos Sleep More? How Much Exercise Do They Need?
An older cockapoo may nap off and on throughout the day, just like they did when they were a puppy. Sources differ on what defines senior or older age in cockapoos. A healthy cockapoo can live well into its teen years. Poodles can live to almost 20 years old, while cocker spaniels can average just under 15 years.
Senior cockapoos in their golden years may require only one or two shorter walks in addition to potty breaks. Some older cockapoos remain mentally sharp as they age. Activities like interactive toys and a leisurely game of fetch can help them use their brain while still taking it easy.
Final Thoughts
Cockapoos are generally active dogs with higher exercise needs. A cockapoo puppy will benefit from two or more longer walks each day and several play sessions and potty breaks. Older cockapoos may be happy with a short walk to stretch their legs. Signs that your cockapoo needs more exercise include not sleeping well at night, destructive behavior, weight gain, and acting withdrawn or depressed. Exercise, a healthy diet, and routine vet care will help your cockapoo live a healthy and happy life.
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Featured Image Credit: Bartlomiej Rybacki, Shutterstock
