The Lifespan of A Cockapoo

It’s one of the immediate questions that comes up when considering which dog breed? And rightfully so because there is a large variance in life expectancy depending on the dog you choose.

Average Lifespan Of A Cockapoo

Although, The American Cockapoo Club  estimates the Cockapoo’s life expectancy at 12 to 20 years, I believe the top end of that range is rare. In my experience of knowing many Cockapoo owners I would say 13 to 15 years is a good innings.

Cockapoo Maximum Age

In researching this article, I also noted one reference  stating Cockapoo’s have been known to live for up to 22 years. Although there wasn’t any further evidence to back that up. Looking to other breeds though, it’s interesting to look at the top 10 life expectancy of comparing all dog breeds.

Comparing Age To Other Breeds

On this list, the Toy Poodle comes in at Number 5.

Compared to the Cockapoo breeding parents which are of course The American / English Cocker Spaniel breeds + Poodle (often a Miniature Poodle), Cockapoos’ life expectancy falls unsurprisingly in between the two. Cocker spaniels average 12 1/2 years while Miniature poodles average 14 1/2 years.

Average Age of Smaller Dogs

If you compare the life expectancy of the Cockapoo to dogs of the same size. The average for a smaller breed in the western hemisphere is 12.8 years.

Cockapoo Lifespan Compared to Larger Dogs

Large dogs life’s unwind at a faster speed. Although studies have failed to pinpoint exactly why, smaller dogs like the Cockapoo tend to live longer than bigger dogs. For example, the great Irish Wolf Hound averages only 5-7 years.

Research suggests that if you have a miniature or Toy Cockapoo it may outlive a Maxi or Standard size Cockapoo. For more information on Cockapoo sizes click here.

I’d love to know how old you Cockapoo is – please let me know!

Crating Your Cockapoo: Creating A Cosy Den

Don’t think because you are crate training your puppy you’re caging him.  A dog crate serves several important functions for a puppy if introduced properly into his routine. It will become a place of comfort and safety and help your puppy get used to confined spaces. Very useful in the early days when he needs transporting for trips out the house or to the vets.

What Size Crate?

Even the ‘standard’ or ‘maxi’ size Cockapoo doesn’t grow to be a large dog, but your crate will have to be large enough for him to stand, sit, turn, stretch, lie down and spread out.  It’s important that the crate is well ventilated. Most are designed that way and there is a huge variety to choose from.

Place the crate in an area away from the family hubbub but not too far away so he still feels the comfort of having you close by. Here a few things that will transform the crate from being a sterile environment to a place your little Cockapoo enjoys returning to:

• Put bedding in there like a soft blanket and some chew toys
• Covering part of the crate can help make the dog feel secure and less exposed
• Always ensure he has access to clean, fresh drinking water

The Dog Crating Process

There are three important points to remember about crate training:

1. Be sure to make it a positive experience
2. Be patient as learning to trust the crate as his new den happens slowly
3. Gradually introduce him to his new safe place

Step One: ­ Introduction To The Crate

To begin, place the crate in an area that your puppy is used to but slightly out the way, like your living room or kitchen and leave the door open so he can come and go.

Tempt your puppy into the crate by putting some treats or chews in there.  Your puppy should soon associate the crate as being a happy place where he enjoys snacks and plays with toys.  If he is apprehensive be encouraging with you voice and gradually move him closer by serving up treats and petting him right next to the entrance. Soon he will find his way in there and settle. This step may take several days so be patient and don’t force the issue.

Step Two: Making it home

Once your puppy has accepted the crate you can begin to serve meals in there.  And once he is safely in and enjoying his meal close the door.

Open the door again when he is finished but begin to leave the door closed a little longer each time. This will lead him to naturally rest after eating and have his first crate sleep time. If your puppy starts whining or barking or exhibiting any signs of distress you may have over-done it with the amount of time spent with the door closed.

Once step two is complete your puppy’s crate has become his den. A safe comfortable place to eat, rest and relax.

Step Three: ­ Going Out Of Sight

Once your puppy has started to trust his new environment you can start to leave him for short periods. Just make sure when you do leave, your Cockapoo is happy with a chew stick or favourite toy and has water to drink.

TIP – Buy an activity feeder, like the popular Kong and stuff it with food mix (cheese mixed with peanut butter and crumbled dog biscuits are a popular choice) so he is happy and has plenty to chew on.

If he is struggling with being in the crate alone just sit next to him quietly for a few minutes until he is engaged with his activity feeder and then slip out the room.  Return in a few minutes and just sit quietly. Repeat this routine until your puppy is comfortable being alone.

Practicing this step in the day and evening is also a good idea.

Making sure your puppy is occupied in the crate is key when he is getting used to the new environment because you don’t want him to get bored or anxious and start barking.  It’s easy to fall into the trap of giving into this behaviour by letting him out. But then you are just reinforcing him barking.

Wait until there is even a momentary break in his behaviour then let him out. Like all training timing is everything!

Step Four: ­ Moving On

You will have successfully completed step three when your puppy can be left alone inside the crate for about 30 minutes to enjoy treats.  Make your re-appearance is as low key as possible so as not to create excitement. You don’t want him to be anxious waiting for your return. The way to achieve this is not reward the behaviour but rather ignore it.

Summary

When used correctly, crating helps you Cockapoo on many levels. It offers a safe place, to get away from a sometimes noisy family, have down while the family is eating their meal, and also accept some alone time without feeling separation anxiety.  I recommend crating from a puppy so its accepted straight away and will maximise the full benefit for you and your Cockapoo.

Cockapoo Home Alone

Cockapoos like many other dogs are fun-loving family pets and when we, the fun providers, are not around our dogs are likely to be a little upset. And some Cockapoos may be more upset than others.

Miniature, Toy and Teacup Cockapoos are bred to be companion dogs so they will feel acute distress when left alone for too long. Cockapoo’s being a very intelligent dog also need a lot of mental stimulation which adds to the problem.

As a rule, no dog should be left alone regularly for long periods. Dogs are pack animals and are naturally sociable. Enjoying solitude is not in their DNA.

But with modern lifestyles most dogs need to accept some periods alone. Smart Cockapoo owners tend to adopt some simple strategies to reduce the stress levels when alone time is necessary.

Separation Anxiety

First let’s identify what separation anxiety actually is. There are different types and levels of separation feelings a dog experiences when left alone.

1.    Separation Distress. A symptom you may notice is your dog following you from room to room and always monitoring you for what your next move is. When they sense you are leaving they will show signs of distress and be very over excited on your return. Other signs are:

• Destruction (tip, don’t give them the chance)
• Escape attempts and clawing to doors
• Whining
• salivation or drooling
• Inappropriate and/or excessive elimination while alone

2.    Separation Anxiety. This is a heightened version of separation distress and is quite a serious condition. A dog can become quite ill and injury themselves if no intervention is made. Their feelings of emotional loss at not being with their owner are too overwhelming. This will often lead to further behavioural and health problems.

3.    Separation Excitement. Some dogs enjoy some alone time as they can engage in behaviours (usually destructive) that they know they will not be able to get away with when their owners are present. Although at the other end of the spectrum, it still needs addressing. This is prevalent with Cockapoos because when they are not mental engaged they will find ways to amuse themselves.

Can Cockapoo Puppies Be Left Alone?

Yes they can, and in fact training will be much easier for a puppy.

Step one: If you’re fortunate to be training a Cockapoo puppy, crating is a great way to begin and should be started from Day 1. Place your puppy in his crate by your bed. Make it snuggly with a blanket and an old unwashed T-Shirt. Move the crate further away from your bed each night and eventually into the kitchen or the permanent room your Cockapoo will be housed in.

Make sure there is plenty of toys to engage him in there. The crate should be his favourite place to retreat to and be a snug, happy den. Make sure it’s housed in a puppy/dog proof area where he can’t do any damage.

If you’re starting with an older dog the same strategy is sound, although be patient as the fruits of your labour will take longer.

Step two: Start leaving your Cockapoo in his crate while you’re at home. If he is already suffering from separation distress, give him a treat in his crate to enjoy. Come back 20 minutes later. If he is calm when you come back, give another treat. If there’s wild doggy behaviour just ignore him.

Build up the time alone. Trying stuffing the popular kong toy with treats so he has something to occupy him or a marrow bone that takes a while to get through.

Top Tips for dealing with Separation Anxiety

A good exercise session is the best thing you can do for your Cockapoo before a period of alone time. This is naturally going to lead to relaxation and sleep so the time will fly-by.  Here’s some more things to try-

• To understand the severity of the disorder, try making a video recording of your Cockapoo while they are left alone. It’s really fun to see what they get up to but it may also allay your fears, especially as the training progresses you can see how they gradually learn to cope alone.
• Give your Cockapoo some meals / snacks inside his crate, so he actually looks forward to you leaving because he knows something good is coming.
• Leave the radio on, or if you want to take it a step further, make a recording of normal family time and play it on a loop. The familiar noises bring comfort that ‘all is well’. This is a technique used for puppy socialisation and it’s very effective.
• De-sensitise your Cockapoo to your ‘leaving the house routine’ by doing all the things you normally do… but then go nowhere. The feelings of anxiety will dissipate after a while and he will lose that trigger that starts the distress.
• When you do return home make it as low key as possible. Fight the urge to make a big fuss of him and just sit down. When your Cockapoo is calm, greet him. Don’t fuss the mad-dog welcome-home behaviour.
• Always leave plenty of fresh water.

So How Long Can I leave My Cockapoo alone for?

• 3 or 4 hours should be fine for you to run some errands and come home. Any longer than that and toileting becomes an issue.
• If you’re going out for a days work or a whole shift, I would advise getting a dog walker / pet sitter. 8 Hours is a long time to leave your Cockapoo a lone.
• When you do leave, make sure their crate door is left open so they can roam in their play area and maybe hide a few treats around the place.
• Don’t leave your Cockapoo locked in his crate for longer than an hour. Ideally they should be free to explore a bigger area.

A Final Thought

A common reason for giving up on a dog is separation related behaviours, so it’s important to address this issue. Make the effort so your Cockapoo can be left alone, and happily so.