When looking to adopt a new puppy for you and your family to play and have fun with, Cavachons are a great place to start when it comes to small breeds. Cavachons are a mixed breed between the Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, which both are loving dogs full of energy! But one question to ask yourselves is if they are easy to train?
When it comes to the Cavachon, training is mostly a breeze. As with its parent breeds, the Cavachons are extremely smart for their size and quickly pick up on stuff. Just make sure to keep training sessions brief and to the point, so they are not overstimulated or bored. Be consistent but still being gentle. Many pets are sensitive to negative criticism.
It is important to know all of the information that may be out there in terms of how to train your small puppy properly. As you continue to read this article, we will be going over the various steps for potty training and crate training a Cavachon puppy.
How to Train Your Cavachon
When it comes to training Cavachons or any dog for that matter, there are two main lessons you need to teach your new puppy. Obviously, the main one is to potty train them, to make sure they tell you when they need to go potty and that they need to go potty outside, no exceptions.
The other lesson is optional, but it is crate training. Crate training a dog provides them a nice comfortable space they can go that is purely theirs. The crate will be their “bedroom,” for instance, a place that does not move and has some of their favorite stuff in it all the time, like a blanket, bed, and maybe their favorite toy.
Potty Training Method
Whatever the cause, it seems that certain small breed dogs need more time to be adequately housebroken than other forms of dogs. But that does not mean they can not be housebroken at all. Particularly the most miniature dogs can be housebroken with diligence and persistence. If you are faced with the challenge of potty training a small breed puppy, whether young or old, here are few pointers to bear in mind.
Step 1: Positive Reinforcement
The importance of consistency cannot be overstated! Choose a potty training strategy that you can use to adhere to it. To assist them, use positive reinforcement training. When they make mistakes, reward them with sweets and affection when they do the task correctly. Talk to everybody in the family and get them all on board with the preparation. It would be best if you were consistent.
Step 2: Pay Attention to Their Every Move
Keep in mind that Cavachons are, well, tiny and can be sly. A small dog can creep into a particular house area and use the toilet more quickly than a big dog. Enable no “accidents” to occur unnoticed. It is not the end of the world if your dog has an incident, but hopefully, you should still be supervising your dog and be there to correct them when they go to the bathroom indoors. You do not have to (and should not) punish them for mishaps; better, teach them where they are supposed to go potty. When you catch the dog during or shortly after an accident, take them outside straight away. Wait for them to finish outside and, if they do, lavish them with praise and maybe a little reward or two.
Step 3: Do Not Discipline Your Pup
If you discover an old mistake in the house, do not discipline your dog. They do not understand being screamed at after an incident or getting their nose rubbed in it. Just correct the dog if you spot it when it is using the bathroom in the house. Keep in mind that dogs can feel weak when they go to the toilet. They are unable to defend themselves while pooping. Ensure your dog is safe and comfortable in the place you have selected for it to use as a toilet. If your dog does not feel at ease there, he or she would most likely seek refuge somewhere, which may be within your house.
Step 4: Create Potty Breaks
Create and adhere to a plan for your dog’s toilet breaks. The trick to practical potty training is to avoid mistakes in the first place, which you can accomplish by getting your dog out daily. Even if the dog does not ask to go outside, take them out and lavish them with affection when they do pee or poop. The best opportunities to walk a dog are first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Act as if you are the happiest you have ever been in your life when your dog does the right thing and goes to the toilet outside. Make it extremely clear to your dog that you want him or her to go to the bathroom outside. Always be sure to lavish them with sweets and appreciation.
It is not necessary to scream, beat, or otherwise punish your dog. Potty training can be a relaxing and rewarding activity for them. Your dog will be with you for several years, so there is no need to put their faith in you at risk by barking at them. Potent reinforcement therapy works best for the majority of puppies.
Crate Training
When crate training, there are three main things to keep in mind.
- First and foremost, crate teaching is not the same as “imprisoning” your puppy. It instills responsibility in your fur baby and alleviates fear.
- Next up is during the training process. Make good associations with the crate by using treats and games.
- Above all else, be patient. Crate training takes at least six months.
Step 1: Purchase a Crate
The first step in initiating the crate training process is to purchase the required crate for your dog or puppy. You want one that is long-lasting, convenient, and adaptable to any training you are doing. We choose one that is more enclosed and would be well for dogs that like to sleep in the dark. We also emphasize the importance of not purchasing a crate that is too large for your puppy. Buy the appropriate crate for your dog’s adult size based on how tall he or she can get. Then buy a divider to build the space and give them more and more space as time goes by.
Step 2: Instill the Proper Mindset
Once you have your perfect crate, the next step is to instill the proper mindset into your Cavachon puppy. Help him or her to understand that their crate is a safe place for them to rest. The more the dogs equate the crate with a comfortable state of mind, the more they would love spending time in it. If you put the dog in the cage when they are training, they may try to come out and play again. However, if you get them in while they are quiet, they will most likely see it as a place of relaxation. Begin by taking them in for 10 minutes each period, and gradually increase the time as you get more comfortable with that initial time frame.
Step 3: Provide Treats
When your Cavachon puppy starts to understand that the crate is essentially their bedroom, and they begin to go into the crate voluntarily to relax, give them a treat. Positive association reigns supreme once more. When they hang out in the crate, they have something that stimulates them. A small chewy bone will do the trick. It accustoms the dog to be in the crate for extended periods while still associating it with a fun game.
Step 4: Ensure the Crate is Enjoyable to Be In
Your Cavachon puppy should never see the crate as a hostile environment. To do this, incorporate the crate into enjoyable games in which the pup can freely enter and exit the open crate. Something like playing catch with a treat ball, filled with a few treats. Toss it into the crate and watch your dog chase it, and spend time trying to get the tasty treats out of the ball. This will associate the crate with, yet again, more positive reinforcement.
Step 5: Increase the Time Your Pup is Inside the Crate
When you are ready, gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends inside the crate. You would not want to spend six hours at a restaurant. Maybe you can go and get a cup of coffee and then come back. You might also use a video system while you are out to see what your dog does while you are out. This will allow you to see if they are nervous, are pacing around in the cage a lot, or stay quiet and maybe even sleep while you are out. When you return, make sure to reward them.
Step 6: Have Patience
Finally, remember to be patient above all else. Prepare for a minimum of six months of preparation. Because dogs are not linear learners, there will be ups and downs, but success will come. Even if it looks like you are hitting a brick wall, as long as you remain confident and persistent with your technique, your dog can finally reach for the treat, and you will have the chance to reward them.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Cavachon puppies, training is relatively a breeze. They are rapid learners and have great memories. Just be sure to have patience and lots of treats during this training process, and you can ensure success in everything you do with your fur baby!
