Bringing home a Cavoodle puppy is an exciting and life-changing experience. These affectionate, intelligent, and playful dogs quickly form strong bonds with their owners, making them wonderful companions. However, the first 30 days are crucial for establishing routines, setting boundaries, and ensuring a smooth transition into their new environment. Many new puppy owners often feel overwhelmed, wondering how to best care for their new furry friend. With proper planning and the right approach, your Cavoodle puppy can settle in happily and start developing into a well-adjusted and confident dog.
This guide provides a detailed roadmap covering everything from preparing your home to socialisation, training, nutrition, and overall health care. Whether you are a first-time pet owner or have had dogs before, following these structured steps will help you navigate the early days with ease, setting your Cavoodle puppy up for a lifetime of happiness and good behavior.
1. Preparing Your Home for a Cavoodle Puppy
Before your Cavoodle puppy arrives, it is essential to create a safe and comfortable environment. Puppies are naturally inquisitive and will explore their surroundings immediately. Taking preventive measures to puppy-proof your home will reduce the risk of accidents and ensure your pet’s safety.
Start by removing small objects that could be swallowed, securing loose electrical cords, and keeping household chemicals out of reach. Many common plants can also be toxic to dogs, so it is best to remove or relocate any that pose a risk. Setting up baby gates or using playpens to confine your puppy to specific areas can prevent them from wandering into unsafe spaces.
Having the right supplies on hand will also make the transition smoother. Fluffy Puppies recommends purchasing a soft bed, chew toys, a small collar and lead, and a food and water bowl. A preferred puppy food is Advance Puppy Plus Toy Small Breed Rehydratable Chicken Flavour, which should be softened with water for puppies aged 8 to 10 weeks before transitioning to dry food after 10 weeks. External parasite treatments such as Revolution or Simparica Trio should be used depending on whether your puppy will be exposed to tick-prone areas. These essentials, along with a designated sleeping area and potty training setup, will help your Cavoodle puppy adjust more easily to their new home.
2. Cavoodle Puppy: Establishing a Routine
A structured daily routine provides stability and reassurance for your Cavoodle puppy. Puppies thrive on consistency, and having a predictable schedule helps with training and overall behavior development. Setting regular times for meals, toilet breaks, training sessions, and play will help them feel secure in their new home.
Feeding should be done at the same times each day to create a routine. Young Cavoodle puppies generally require two small meals per day, consisting of half a cup of Advance Puppy Plus Toy Small Breed food per meal. Toilet training should be approached with patience, taking them outside immediately after waking, after meals, and at regular intervals throughout the day. Fluffy Puppies advises taking them out the same door each time to encourage them to associate that exit with toilet time. Avoid taking your puppy to the toilet during the night, as they need to learn to hold on and sleep through until morning.
Short, frequent training sessions help establish essential commands and behaviors. Basic obedience training, such as teaching them to sit, stay, and come when called, should start early. Keeping these sessions brief and rewarding your puppy for good behavior will encourage them to learn quickly. Establishing a routine also includes scheduled nap times to prevent overtiredness, which can lead to cranky behavior. By sticking to a structured schedule, your Cavoodle puppy will adapt more quickly, leading to better habits and an overall well-balanced temperament.
3. Socialisation and Early Training With Your Cavoodle Puppy
Early socialisation is key to developing a confident and well-behaved Cavoodle puppy. The way they interact with people, other animals, and new environments in their first few months of life will shape their behavior as they grow. Introducing them to a variety of experiences in a positive and controlled manner will help them feel comfortable in different situations.
Exposing your puppy to different people, other friendly dogs, and various environments, such as parks and pet-friendly stores, is beneficial. Introducing them to common household sounds, like the vacuum cleaner, television, or doorbell, can prevent fearfulness later on. Encouraging gentle handling, such as touching their paws, ears, and mouth, will help them become more comfortable with vet visits and grooming.
Fluffy Puppies advises starting obedience training as early as eight weeks old, using positive reinforcement techniques such as treats, toys, and praise. The seven basic commands your puppy should learn include sit, stay, down, come, off, don’t touch, and heel. Training should be broken into short, five-minute sessions several times a day to ensure your puppy stays focused. Attending puppy school before 12 weeks of age is recommended to aid socialisation and early learning.
4. Creating a Stimulating Environment for Your Puppy
Providing a mentally and physically stimulating environment is essential for your Cavoodle puppy’s overall well-being. Cavoodles are intelligent, energetic, and social dogs that require engagement to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.
A variety of toys should be available to keep your puppy entertained. Puzzle feeders, chew toys, and interactive toys help keep their minds active while also soothing teething discomfort. Rotating toys every few days will ensure that they stay interested and engaged. Playtime is just as important as exercise, so incorporating daily interactive games, such as hide-and-seek or fetch, can help them burn off energy in a productive way.
Social interaction plays a big role in a Cavoodle puppy’s happiness. Spending quality time with your puppy through training, play, and gentle handling will help strengthen your bond. Puppies who receive ample attention and positive reinforcement tend to be more well-adjusted and confident as they grow. If possible, arranging playdates with other vaccinated puppies or trusted dogs can help them develop good social skills.
Introducing different environments early on will prevent fearfulness and hesitation in new situations. Taking your puppy for short car rides, exploring safe outdoor spaces, and allowing them to experience different textures, such as grass, sand, or wooden flooring, will help them grow into a confident and adaptable companion. Keeping their environment enriching and stimulating will ensure a happy and well-balanced Cavoodle puppy.
5. Managing Separation Anxiety and Sleep Habits
Cavoodles form strong bonds with their owners and can be prone to separation anxiety if not taught to be independent from an early age. Gradually increasing the time your puppy spends alone will help them feel more secure when left by themselves. Avoid making departures and arrivals dramatic, as this can heighten their anxiety. Leaving them with a comforting item, such as a blanket that carries your scent, can provide reassurance.
Establishing a healthy sleep routine is equally important. Puppies need ample rest, often sleeping between 16 and 18 hours a day. Fluffy Puppies recommends keeping your puppy in a small, tiled area like the laundry overnight, providing a soft bed, and placing a used pee pad as far away from their sleeping area as possible. Water should be removed after dinner to prevent nighttime accidents. Crate training is also an effective way to create a secure sleeping environment and assist with house training. Consistency in bedtime routines will ensure your puppy sleeps peacefully through the night.
By addressing separation anxiety early and ensuring they get adequate sleep, your Cavoodle puppy will develop a sense of security and stability in their new home.
Conclusion
The first 30 days with your Cavoodle puppy are filled with new experiences, learning opportunities, and bonding moments. By preparing your home in advance, establishing a structured routine, prioritising socialisation and training, ensuring proper nutrition and health care, and managing separation anxiety, you set the foundation for a happy and well-adjusted companion.
Raising a Cavoodle puppy requires dedication, patience, and consistency, but the rewards are immeasurable. With the right guidance and care, your puppy will grow into a loving and loyal member of your family. For more expert advice on Cavoodle puppy care, explore our resources at Fluffy Puppies!
Here’s Why We Are Trusted Registered Breeders
For over 25 years, Marie Louise and Geoff have passionately owned and operated Fluffy Puppies, committed to offering a reliable and professional service to our customers. With extensive qualifications and a deep love for our work, we ensure each puppy is healthy and well-socialised. We recognise concerns about online purchases, but choosing Fluffy Puppies means selecting a companion from a dedicated, professional breeder. We take joy in helping customers find the perfect puppy to fit their needs.
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Here are our qualifications:
- Breeder Identification Number: B000611364
- Pet Breeders Australia: Member Number 12253
- Australian Association of Pet Dog Breeders Member Number: 17706
- Fluffy Puppies is also a Local Council Approved Business – Oberon Council 10.2011.32.1
- Fluffy Puppies is a Registered Business with the Department of Fair Trading. BN98414105
- OWNER Marie-Louise Burton has an Animal Studies Certificate II – TAFE qualification
- OWNER Geoff Burton is a registered identifier with NSW Pet Registry. I0002765
- RSPCA Inspected – Fluffy Puppies conforms with Breeder’s Code of Practice
- Vet Audit Inspection – Fluffy Puppies is a Veterinary Endorsed Professional Breeder
- Our breeding dogs are all Genetically Tested
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