The Ultimate Guide to Cavoodle Training: Myths, Challenges & Solutions

More than just dogs, Cavoodles are family to us. They are known for their affectionate nature, intelligence, and adorable appearance, making them one of the most popular designer dog breeds. However, if you are getting a Cavoodle, one of the things you need to know is that training them comes with its own set of myths and challenges. In this guide, let us debunk common training misconceptions, address typical behaviour problems, and provide practical solutions to help you raise a well-behaved Cavoodle.

Let us Debunk Some Cavoodle Training & Breed Trait Myths

Myth 1: Cavoodles Don’t Need Training Because They’re Naturally Well-Behaved

Image reference: Are Cavoodle Puppies Easy to Train?

Some of you might agree with this, but, it is easy to think that because Cavoodles are people-oriented, they don’t need much training. While they are naturally eager to please, they’re also highly intelligent and can quickly learn both good and bad habits, that’s where you have to focus, because once they are left untrained, they may develop behaviours such as excessive barking, separation anxiety, or jumping up on guests.

Just like any other dog breed, they need structure, boundaries, and consistency to become well-mannered companions especially because these fur-babies usually are living indoors. This makes it sometimes harder to set boundaries such as no jumping on the furniture or guests, creating routine, boundaries and safe spaces early on can help prevent bad behaviour as they get older. 

I can attest to this first hand with my own cavoodles and so over the years I've had to re-train some of their bad behaviours I was not on top of at the beginning of bringing them home! It's a constant daily habit to keep on top of so it becomes part of yours and their lifestyle. 

For example I bought my first cavoodle bambi home during covid and so she wasn't always exposed to guests in her first year or two of life, so when guests did eventually start coming back into my house they were greeted by her jumping on them, her doing excited wee's and lots of zoomies and barking. 

This is such hard thing to un-train if you don't teach them right from the beginning to remain calm, maybe sit on their bed when the doorbell rings, or there is a knock on the door or guests enter to avoid these types of behaviours I had to deal with later and still some today. Thank goodness the wee's at the door stopped as she got older, and not as many zoomies and barking but the jumping on guests out of excitement is a hard thing to untrain as it requires cooperation from your guests too. If you are unsure what I mean, let me explain... 

So if you have guests that are also dog lovers sometimes they don't realise feeding into the excitement of your cavoodle when they walk through the door actually trains them to keep jumping, you need to ask you guests to remain clam and ignore them upon entering so your cavoodle doesn't get used to being the centre of attention everytime someone walks in the door like my bambi girl!

 

Myth 2: Cavoodles Do Not Shed

As much as we've been brainwashed to think Cavoodles not to shed, this is the most common misconception about them. While it’s true that they shed less than some other breeds due to their Poodle ancestry, no dog is truly non-shedding. Allergens are found in dander, saliva, and even urine, not just in fur, remember that. So, if you or a family member has allergies, it’s important to spend time around Cavoodles first to see how you react and to commit to regular grooming to minimise allergens in the home.

For example I bought my daisy girl from a well known breeder who thoroughly tests her dogs DNA, she is also an f1 cavoodle generation same as my bambi girl is mainly white, and as a person who wears black everyday I can definitely say that her white hair is left on my clothes after each cuddle if I'm not on top of her brushing and grooming routine leaving her coat too long. 

Even though she has a very cavalier type of appearance and her coat sheds I do not have bad allergies after holding her like I would if i was cuddling an actual cavalier like I have in the past & my allergies were going crazy!!

 

Myth 3: They Don’t Need as Much Training as Large Dogs

This is untrue, Cavoodles need just as much training as big dogs! Cavoodles are smart, energetic, and quick learners, which means they need just as much training as a large dog—sometimes even more because they are living indoors with us!

 

7 Cavoodle Training & Behaviour Problems Common In the Cavoodle Breed

 

1. Separation Anxiety

Cavoodles are incredibly attached to their humans, and when they feel abandoned, they can struggle. You might notice them panicking, barking a lot, chewing on furniture, or even having accidents indoors. These little furballs thrive on companionship and form deep bonds with their owners, which makes them susceptible to separation anxiety if left alone for too long.

Image reference: Separation Anxiety in Cavoodles - 5 Helpful Tips for Owners

Solution: While Cavoodles might be a bit guilty of this, the good news is that we can help them out! Start by leaving your Cavoodle alone for short periods and gradually extend that time. Providing interactive toys and creating a cosy, safe space can really help ease their worries. Plus, training them to be left  alone with positive experiences can make a big difference.

Don't think getting another cavoodle or dog to help your dog will fix the problem, sometimes this may work but ultimately they need to learn how to be okay on their own too. The problem with getting a second cavoodle to fix this problem is the second cavoodle will pick up on the traits of the first one and because they will also never be left on their own they will struggle with even more anxiety sometimes than the first one!

 

2. Excessive Barking

Sometimes, barking is just their way of asking for attention or reacting to sounds they’re not used to. Cavoodles are naturally alert and expressive, so they might bark to express excitement, boredom, or even concern.

Image reference: Do Cavoodles Bark A lot? (Read this first)

Solution: To tackle this, try to figure out what triggers their barking and use positive reinforcement to re-guide their behaviour. Teaching them the ‘quiet’ command and making sure they get plenty of mental and physical exercise can help reduce that excessive barking.

3. Jumping on People

Jumping up on people is a behaviour that often gets unintentionally reinforced when owners respond with attention or affection, which just encourages them to keep doing it. Many Cavoodles get so excited to meet new people that they can’t help but jump up to say hello.

Solution: While it can be tough to manage, the best approach is to ignore them when they jump and only give them attention when all four paws are on the ground. By consistently rewarding calm greetings, you’ll teach your Cavoodle that jumping doesn’t earn them any attention.

4. Pulling on the Leash

I have a friend that has a Cavoodle and due to their energetic and curious nature, he loves to pull on the leash while exploring. This behaviour is usually caused by the need togo faster or to check out a strange smell.

Image reference: Train Your Puppy to Walk Nicely on Leash

Solution: When they pull at any time you are outside, you can start by stopping. Use treats and praise to reward loose leash walking, which will reinforce betterwalking behaviour. A no-pull harness can also behelpful.

This is sometimes easier said than done, if you are really struggling with this best to seek a professional trainer out to help.

 

5. House Training Difficulties

So the first thing you must know about Cavoodles is they are small dogs, which means they have small bladders and will need more potty breaks than larger breeds. If their schedule is inconsistent, or if there's confusion about where they can go, they may have accidents indoors.

Solution: You just need to establish a consistent bathroom break schedule and then praise them for urinating in the proper location. You can also use a crate or a specific potty location to encourage good habits.

 

6. Nipping and Chewing

Puppies love to explore the world with their mouth and Cavoodles are guilty of it, especially when they’re teething up until they are 8-10 months. They may nip during play or chew on furniture and shoes as a way to soothe their gums or relieve boredom.

Learn more here: How Can I Stop My Cavoodle Puppy Biting?

Solution: This is where chewing toys come in. The best solution is to provide them with appropriate chew toys and redirect their attention whenever they attempt to bite their hands or furniture. Teaching bite inhibition using gentle training techniques can prevent this behaviour from escalating.

Here are some great toys you can get for them: Durable toy balls, Plush Cavoodle Bone Toy, Assorted Durable Chew Rope Toys 8pc Set

7. Stubbornness During Training

Cavoodles are smart, but they can also show a bit of stubbornness, especially when training feels dull or lacks rewards. There are times when they might just tune out commands because they’re distracted or simply not interested.

Solution: To help them out, try to keep training sessions short, upbeat, and focused on rewards. Mixing in different treats, lots of praise (use different tone of voice pitches), and some fun toys can spice things up and make training more effective. Discovering what truly motivates your Cavoodle—be it tasty snacks, playtime, or cuddles—will make the training process smoother.

 

Effective Training Techniques for Cavoodles

1. Positive Reinforcement – Use treats, praise, and toys to reward the behaviours you want to see. This helps build good habits in your furry friend.

2. Consistency is Key – Make sure everyone in the family is on the same page with commands and rules. This way, your Cavoodle won’t get confused.

3. Short, Engaging Sessions – Keep training sessions short and sweet, around 5 to 10 minutes. This helps keep their attention and enthusiasm high.

4. Early Socialisation – Introduce your Cavoodle to different environments, people, and other dogs early on. This helps them build confidence and adaptability.

5. Mental & Physical Stimulation – Use puzzle toys, obedience training, and regular walks to keep your Cavoodle engaged and prevent boredom-related behaviours.

Remember:

Training a Cavoodle takes patience, consistency, and a lot of positive reinforcement. By clearing up common myths, tackling typical behavioural issues, and using effective training techniques, you can raise a happy, well-behaved Cavoodle that truly thrives.