How to Take Care of a Cockapoo Puppy

A cockapoo is half cocker spaniel and half poodle.

Cockapoos, which are half cocker spaniel and half poodle, are known as friendly, fuzzy and lively dogs. Cockapoos come in a range of sizes, from teacup (less than 6 pounds) to maxi (more than 19 pounds). As puppies, however, all cockapoos require the same basic care.

Things You'll Need

• Dog crate
• Hot water bottle/heating pad
• Newspaper
• Blankets
• Dishes
• Water
• Puppy food
• Toys
• Brush
• Clean cloths

Instructions

1. Buy and set up a medium-sized crate for your cockapoo puppy. Although the crate will be large for your puppy, it will give the dog plenty of room for growth. Wrap a hot water bottle in a blanket and keep it in the crate for warmth. Line the crate with newspapers and blankets. This will be your puppy's home, the place where it stays when you can't supervise it. The crate is also a tool for housebreaking.

2. Buy toys for the cockapoo puppy, and plan to spend plenty of time with it. A cockapoo is a people-oriented breed, and the puppy will demand a lot of personal attention. This is an important part of its socialization and attachment to you.

3. Feed the puppy four times a day. Set out a dish of high-quality puppy food, mixed with a small amount of water, and place the pup in front of the dish. If it doesn't recognize the food immediately, pick some of the food up and hold it to the puppy's mouth, then lead the pup down to the dish. Gradually reduce the puppy's meals to two to three per day as it gets older. Keep a shallow dish of water available at all times for the puppy to drink.

4. Keep your cockapoo puppy clean with consistent brushing and washing. Use damp cloths to clean the puppy on a daily basis, and start teaching it how to tolerate brushing. Because of their curly coats, which continue to grow, cockapoos need regular grooming to keep them neat and free of tangles. It's a good idea to get puppies used to this at a young age.

5. Supervise your puppy at all times when it is out of the crate. Puppies that are wandering could crawl into tight places such as the bottom of couches and cupboards and even under refrigerators. When you are not able to supervise the pup, put it in the kennel so it doesn't get into trouble.

6. Take the cockapoo puppy for its shots at three months. This is the start of a line of vaccinations, which are very important to the puppy's health. The vet will set up a schedule for continued vaccinations.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, begin house and leash training early, using the crate as a tool.

• Never leave puppies locked up for more than three or four hours during the day without food or water.

• Do not feed puppies food that contains soybeans, as many puppies have an allergic reaction to soy.

References

• Humane Society of Greater Miami: Puppy Care
• Dog Breed Info Center: Cockapoo
• Cockapoo Club of America