Are Cavachons easy to train?

Cavachons are cross between Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Both breeds are known for being naturally intelligent, well-mannered companion dogs, but are they easy to train? 

With the inherited characteristics from both breeds generally, you may ask, are Cavachons easy to train? Cavachons are quick and easy to train. So it is no wonder they have become popular pets in recent years.

The Bichon Frise was a noted circus dog all over Europe back in the nineteenth century and was favored by traveling entertainers for their ability to learn complex routines; therefore, the Cavachon learning tricks is in their genes.

The Cavachon's pleasing nature allows great eye contact between you and your pet. Good eye contact means good concentration, watching and listening, and taking direction from you while strengthening the bond between you.

They have a considerable amount of energy and need at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Cavachons also love ball games and are quick to join in when children are playing. Cavachons tend not to nip or bite, but adult supervision should always be ensured when children and dogs get together.

Cavachons love having the closeness of a human, so they are an excellent choice for companion dogs. They make a great family pet.

How to train a Cavachon

Cavachon dogs respond effectively through positive-reinforcement training, which in turn builds trust and bonding between the owner and their pet.  

Trust is so crucial in establishing an emotional bond with your dog. It is a special and unique relationship as dogs will do anything for their human companion.  Some will lay down their lives to protect their owner. 

The more quality time you spend with your dog from a puppy, the quicker the bonding will establish as it is not a spontaneous reaction. 

Because you speak a different language, your Cavachon needs time to figure out what you want from them. This will take time for them, so start with simple commands. It's not just words; how you say them with the pitch, tone, and body language will get you results.

Your voice, leash, collar, and treats are the training tools you will need to train your dog successfully.

Puppies need a leader to thrive.

Puppies instinctively acknowledge, feel safer, and are comfortable with an older canine assuming the leadership position in a pack. Since this will no longer be the case when you take your puppy home, you must therefore take over the role to make your pup feel safe and secure with you. So what do puppies want from their leader? Confidence and attitude. If your 

Cavachon does not have these attributes; then, training may become difficult. We can't think like dogs because we are humans. We, therefore, need to communicate as clearly as possible in a positive way.

Every positive and negative interaction you have with your Cavachon has a meaning. This is because you are teaching him something, which is your goal. This is where positive-reinforcement training comes into action. It motivates and reinforces positive messages to your Cavachon to do what you want by rewarding him for doing good behavior. 

With a bit of practice and food treats as rewards, his training will be easy to master.

Command, listen, and respond; these are three essential words while training your dog. It is your voice's pitch and tone when teaching your dog to listen, pay attention, and respond.  

You want your dog to eventually be obedient during training, whether in or outside your home. Your Cavachon, while in training, will love being rewarded with treats and positive praise. Therefore, training should be fun, and he will make the connection between doing what you want if he knows he will be getting a treat. But, as with all dogs, it is easy for your Cavachon to switch off if you take too long with the training and become irritable if he cannot follow your commands. 

Yelling or shouting will frighten your dog and stop the unwanted behavior, but it threatens your relationship with him. T-a-k-e- a- b-r-e-a-k and try the following day again if unsuccessful. End the session on a good note with something your dog has already mastered and reward with a treat and praise. 

Keeping training sessions short is better for you and your dog. Remember, your Cavachon is sensitive to your behavior, so if you are stressed and you get angry, it will have a negative impact if you continue.  

You can't go wrong if you incorporate and uphold the principles of LIMA (least intrusive and minimally aversive) approach while training your dog.  

With today's challenges, a virtual education can be of enormous benefit to you. There are chat platforms to videos to watch to get feedback for ideas and best practices when struggling with any behaviors.

Does leashing work to train your dog?

The leash is a great tool to incorporate while training any dog breed, for example, leasing your Cavachon to you when you are busy. It acts as an anchor if they try to edge away from you.  

By keeping your Cavachon on a detached leash nearby, any unwanted behavior is easily controlled by stepping on the end of it. Likewise, using treats to coax your Cavachon to follow you or come to you while the leash is loose is perfect for getting an unconstrained response.  

This is an excellent exercise as leashes come in a variety of sizes. Leashes can be used on walks for practicing recalls. It is easier to teach your Cavachon how to walk nicely on a leash by not pulling than on a Flexi leash with the opposite principle. Set yourself up for success with loose-leash walking.

How to stamp out negative behavior

When it comes to negative attention, and because Cavachons are eager to please, they can quickly learn that shouting is associated with attention. Therefore, they cannot understand what you're asking. This is a win for the dog because he has all your attention on him but not for you, and his behavior will continue while you continue yours.

It takes time to break negative behavior, but your Cavachon will refocus when you ignore the bad behavior and reward the good. Good behavior should become part of his daily routine, eventually leaving the negative behind. 

It is essential to seek appropriate help from your veterinarian or dog trainer if they display challenging or concerning behaviors.

The IAABC Foundation (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants) is a fantastic non-profit resource. It has accredited trainers and certified behavior consultants. They are bound by a strict code of ethics that requires lifelong learning and productive working relationships with other animal wellness professionals. In addition, they pledge to uphold the principles of LIMA (least intrusive and minimally aversive) in their professional lives.

Conclusion

Cavachons are among the most popular pets in the country, but many people are unsure how to teach them tricks or commands. Dogs can be tricky to train, but the Cavachon is highly intelligent. Because of this, they can be trained to do almost anything. 

They are also very social, so they want to please their owner or whoever is training them. However, with the right amount of time and dedication, along with the right tools, you can teach your dog just about any command he will need for his future. 

You will need time and patience to start this process. Your voice, collar, leash, and treats are the training tools you will need to succeed. It's also important to remember that, like children, they will need more than one training session for best success.

The Cavachon as a cross breed dog is not eligible for registration with American Kennel Club but you can register with the International Designer Canine Registry and they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, The Designer Breed Registry and The Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America.