Cavachons are lap dogs and, as such, become very attached to their owners. They love spending time with you and picking up on your habits.
For example, if you live an active life and like spending time outside, your Cavachon will pick up those habits, be very energetic, and love to play. On the other hand, if you enjoy coming home from work and relaxing on your favorite chair, you can expect your Cavachon to keep your seat warm while you’re not home.
With that in mind, you should be able to see how attached a Cavachon can be to its owner. The Cavachon’s attachment to its owner can cause separation anxiety when they’re not home.
Separation anxiety will cause them to be over-stressed and lead them to unhealthy or bad behavior like constant barking or whining, inability to control their urine or defecation habits, or even destroying items in the home. With that said, is there a way to help keep your Cavachon calm?
Yes, with proper training and the tips in this guide, you can help keep your Cavachon calm and prevent bad behavior. If you have a very active Cavachon, exercising is the best thing to calm them down.
Exercise is healthy and a great way to tire out your Cavachon if they are very active. Some things you can do to calm down a super-active Cavachon are:
- Long walks (around 30 minutes)
- Playing fetch or other games
- Take them to the dog park
Separation anxiety is another crucial factor you need to keep in mind with Cavachons. For example, if you work most of the week, there’s a good chance that your Cavachon will have some separation anxiety, which can cause some behavior issues. Some of the things you can do to keep your Cavachon calm when you aren’t home include:
- Hire a dog walker
- Create a safe space
- Work with a trainer or a behaviorist
- Create a playlist
- Take them with you when doing simple errands
- Exercise
- Rehearsal training
- Don’t leave your Cavachon alone
- Maintain a healthy diet
We will split this article into two sections. The first will discuss how you can help keep a hyperactive Cavachon calm, while the second will focus on keeping your Cavachon’s separation anxiety in check. We will also provide a brief history and a list of traits your Cavachon will have.
History of the Cavachon
Cavachons are a mixed designer breed that combines a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise. Both purebred parents of the Cavachons date back centuries ago.
The Bichon Frise originated in the Canary Islands in the 14th century, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel originated in Europe in the 16th century. Both breeds were famous lap dogs favored by royal figures. Furthermore, the Bichon Frise and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have been seen in famous paintings by their royal owners.
Cavachons were first bred in the 1990s in North America, which makes the Cavachon a recent addition to the dog breed catalog. As such, the history of the Cavachon has little to speak for. However, both of its parents are very similar in personality and temperament, which means the history of the Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel translates well to the Cavachon’s.
Cavachon Traits
Cavachons are a hypoallergenic breed that can have medium to long coats. Their coats are relatively dense and can be either wavy or curly. In addition, they have a very soft and silky coat that can vary in color but are usually tri-colored. You need to groom Cavachons once or twice a week to keep shedding to a minimum, but they love attention, so grooming is a breeze.
Cavachons are playful and intelligent, which makes them excellent family dogs. They get along swimmingly with other dogs and even cats. They are one of the easiest breeds to train in socialization. This means they adapt quickly when introducing them to a new pet or bringing your child home for the first time.
How to Tell if Your Cavachon Has Separation Anxiety
The sooner you can tell if your Cavachon suffers from separation anxiety, the better. It’s common for Cavachons to have separation anxiety due to their extreme love and attachment to their owners. Thankfully, there are some easy signs to see if your Cavachon has it.
1. Vocalization
One of the more common signs of separation anxiety is the constant need to bark, whine, or howl when you’re not home. Puppies will whine, howl, and bark to get their parents’ attention to come back and spend time with them. This habit can continue well after their puppy days when they consider you their parent.
The downside to this sign of separation anxiety is that it will be tough for you to tell if your Cavachon is doing this since you will be at work or running errands. You could also get complaints from your neighbors saying the constant barking is disturbing them, which can be embarrassing.
3. Signs of Destruction
Dogs with separation anxiety can get into the habit of chewing things with your scent. Coming home and seeing your favorite pair of shoes or chair ripped apart or with chew marks can be devastating.
While not intentional, it signifies that your pet misses you. Cavachons can do this, but it’s more common for them to find dirty clothes and make a bed out of them. They are also known to try to dig or claw on the furniture where you sit most often.
4. Inability to Hold In Their Pee and Poo
Dogs with separation anxiety might accidentally soil themselves when they feel lonely and upset. Even if you have entirely house-trained your dog, they can still have an accident resulting from separation anxiety. You can quickly correct this issue with some training and positive reinforcement.
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Tips to Help Keep Energetic Cavachons Calm
Cavachons are an energetic breed, but they are not hyperactive. Due to their small stature, it won’t feel like they have an endless amount of energy.
Like all breeds, Cavachons will have more energy when young and gradually tire out easier as they age. However, if they live with active owners, they have been known to have high energy reserves for a large portion of their life.
Thankfully, Cavachons are not a working breed, and their small size means they will tire out quickly with enough exercise and playtime. However, if you have a Cavachon who loves to play and gets a little too rowdy sometimes, you can do a few things to calm them down.
1. Take Them On Long Walks
Like most dog breeds, Cavachons like to explore and experience new smells, and the best way to do this is by taking them for long walks. It’s a fantastic way to give your Cavachon the exercise they need to stay in shape. It’s also a great way to tire out your Cavachon if they get too rowdy.
Since they’re not a working breed, a long walk is about 30 minutes. It’s enough to get their heart rate up but not wear them out completely.
2. Play Fetch or Other Games
Using toys to play with your Cavachon is a fantastic way to get them to exercise. They love to play with balls and other toys when they are younger, which can be an excellent opportunity to teach them how to fetch or play tug-of-war with a rope. Using toys is a great way to exercise and calm them down if you live in a high-rise apartment.
3. Take Them to the Dog Park
Like the previous two entries, taking your Cavachon to the dog park is fantastic for several reasons. First, they will be excited to see and play with other dogs, which has two benefits.
The first benefit is that they get to socialize with other dogs, and the second benefit is the exercise they will get while playing. The dog park is a great way to let them expend their energy and help them calm down when they get home.
How to Calm Your Cavachon if They Have Separation Anxiety
Cavachon puppies are active when awake and will become very attached to their owners more than their parents. This habit can lead to problems that gradually worsen as they grow up. However, early training can easily calm their nerves and teach them that you will always come home.
Here we have a list of tips that will help you train your Cavachon and help calm them from separation anxiety:
1. Hire a Dog Walker
Dog walkers are fond animal lovers who make lasting friendships with the dogs they walk. As such, a dog walker can make for a great friend while you’re at work.
They will come to your home and take your dog out for a stroll to give them the exercise and company they need. You can even hire a dog walker to come and take your Cavachon on short walks while you are home. This is a great way to make them accustomed to spending time away from you.
2. Create a Safe Space
Making a “safe space” for your Cavachon when you are not home is straightforward and inexpensive. There are a few ways to do this. One of the simplest ways is to have a comfortable doggy bed placed in a dedicated spot or corner of your home. Then, you should put some familiar items near the bed. Some excellent examples are a recently worn shirt, their favorite toy, and clean water.
3. Work With a Trainer or a Behaviorist
Hiring a professional trainer or behaviorist is one of the best ways to alleviate separation anxiety issues for a Cavachon. They will take the time to help you set up a training regimen. The steps you should take will be custom-fitted to your dog’s situation. These training sessions will not take more than 15 to 30 minutes daily, which is great for those who work a lot. However, these training sessions should be done every day for several weeks.
4. Take Them With You When Doing Simple Errands
Taking your dog with you while you run simple errands will give them a sense of what you do while you are not home. It will also help your dog understand that you will quickly return home whenever you are finished. Additionally, most dogs are ecstatic to hop in your car with you, as it gives them a sense of adventure.
One of the best things about taking your Cavachon to do simple errands is their small size. Most places will allow you to bring your dog in if they are in a carry bag. Plenty of restaurants even have outdoor patios allowing you to bring your dog to lunch or dinner. However, be aware that you might be kicked out if your dog misbehaves.
5. Create a Playlist
This is one of the easiest steps to help your dog with separation anxiety. Leaving the TV on or playing dog-friendly music can help your Cavachon calm their nerves.
However, you can take this a step further. Take the time to record sounds your Cavachon will regularly hear when you’re home. Some examples are running water while doing dishes, recording your footsteps like walking around or recording yourself talking on the phone with a friend or family member. Any sound you think your Cavachon would hear on any regular day will help calm your nerves while you are away by making it feel like you are home with them.
6. Exercise
Exercise is an excellent stress reliever for humans but also works for dogs with separation anxiety. Playing with your Cavachon or taking them on a walk when you get home are fantastic stress relievers. Not only will they get some exercise, but it’s a good way to teach them to get excited for when they come home rather than being stressed all day.
7. Rehearsal Training
One of the simplest ways to keep your Cavachon calm while away is with rehearsal training. Rehearsal training involves mini absences where you show your Cavachon that you are leaving the house but return 10 minutes later. This training method will help show that you will eventually come home when you leave.
Start by showing your Cavachon that you are leaving, giving them some pats, and saying goodbye before walking out the door. Your Cavachon will probably show their displeasure as you leave by barking or whining, but you should ignore it. Next, spend about 10 minutes outside before you come back inside.
Be sure to show your Cavachon tons of love whenever you come back inside. Do this a few times daily, and gradually increase your time outside. Keep doing this until you can leave your Cavachon home alone for a few hours. It can help if you ask your neighbors if they hear your dog bark or whine while you’re gone to keep track of progress.
8. Don’t Leave Your Cavachon Alone
The simplest way to keep your Cavachon calm is by not leaving them home alone. You can do this in a few ways. For example, you can adopt a second puppy to keep your Cavachon company. This can be even easier if you have a family member working from home or a stay-at-home parent.
9. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Proper nutrition and diet can severely affect your dog’s behavior. Canned food can be a good source of nutrition for your Cavachon, but you will need to do some research. Many canned food manufacturers will list water as their first and main ingredient.
Canned foods with water as their first ingredient are less nutritious. Instead, look for canned food that lists a type of meat as its first ingredient, bonus points for finding some that lists poultry, meat, or fish broth as an ingredient instead of water.
Final Thoughts
Cavachons are a fantastic dog breed that makes for an excellent family dog. They are very loving and get very attached to their owners, so much so that a Cavachon will pick up and enjoy the same activities as their owners.
When it comes to calming down a Cavachon, there are several things you can do. If your Cavachon is very active, some good exercise will calm them down and tire them out. If your Cavachon has separation anxiety, you can try doing some rehearsal training or hiring a dog walker to walk your dog while at work.
