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June 15, 2022

How much exercise does a Cavapoo need?

Cavapoos are gorgeous little high-energy dogs that are becoming ever more popular thanks to their lively dispositions, sociability, and great temperaments.

You’ll want to make sure your furry friend gets lots of stimulation and exercise so that they don’t become cute little energy-filled home wreckers.

A fully-grown, healthy Cavapoo needs a minimum of 40 minutes of exercise each day. This exercise can include everything from play, like fetch and tug of war, to a couple of walks every day. The exact amount of exercise they need depends on their temperament, health, and weight.

Later, we’ll discover if your Cavapoo would make a good running partner. For now, though, we’ll talk about how far a Cavapoo can usually walk and give you some advice on walking your Cavapoo puppy.

Let’s jump in.

How far should you walk a Cavapoo?

A Cavapoo should be able to walk just over a mile in 20-30 minutes, which should be enough exercise when combined with socialisation, mental stimulation, and play. If your Cavapoo is older than 11 and in good health, they should be able to cover similar distances at a slower pace.

Remember, you can walk your dog for longer if:

  • They have often been able to walk a certain distance.
  • They can have a break about once every 20 minutes and have a drink of water.
  • They have shown endurance on previous walks.

Take care if you have an older dog, as overdoing the exercise and walks may cause them joint pain and they can start to suffer with arthritis.

Here are some other ideas on what kinds of activities will make sure your adorable Cavapoo gets enough exercise.

  • Playing hide and seek – This can be enjoyed both indoors and out. Give your dog treats when he finds you and he is sure to love the game even more.
  • Taking a trip to the park – Your Cavapoo will be able to meet and socialise with other dogs as well as have a run off the lead.
  • Playing fetch and tug of war – Both of these games can be played inside and outdoors. Your dog will love the interaction with you. It’s a fantastic way to burn off any excess energy.
  • Going for a jog – Cavapoos are known for their love of running and swimming, so while sprints and long runs aren’t recommended, a short gentle jog may do them the world of good. Just make sure you take it slow at first, so they get use to the activity and don’t overdo it.
  • Giving your dog a ball - Playing with balls — even if they just like chasing them and never get the hang of fetch — will provide your dog with hours of fun.
How much exercise does a Cavapoo need

How many hours of exercise does a Cavapoo need?

Adult Cavapoos typically need between 30-60 minutes of exercise every day to keep them healthy and happy. Not all this exercise need come in the form of walks, some of it can be from free play and running around with other dogs in the park.

Plenty of exercise can help reduce your Cavapoos separation anxiety. Read about Cavapoo separation anxiety here,

The exercise needs of a Cavapoo puppy are a bit different, however, so let’s turn our attention to them now.

Walking a Cavapoo puppy

Cavapoo puppies can be furry little balls of energy. Walking them has many benefits aside from using some of it up.

  • It will prevent your Cavapoo from barking and whining too much, which will make for a more peaceful neighbourhood.
  • When they are walked often enough, they will be able to get plenty of sleep. This will ensure they don’t become hyperactive and make it less likely they will develop health problems.
  • Dogs that have excess energy will often engage in destructive behaviours, like digging, or chewing the furniture out of boredom.
  • It helps keep them at a healthy weight, which means they are less likely to develop health issues related to obesity as they grow older.
  • Your pup might be completely house-trained, but not getting enough exercise can make them lazy and they might start doing their business in the house. Giving your Cavapoo at least one decent walk a day will help stop this.
  • It can help improve your dog’s eating habits. Cavapoos can be notoriously fussy eaters.
  • It will help minimise disobedience.

On top of all that, the daily activity will help keep you fit and healthy too.

Now we know the benefits of making sure your dog is well walked, let’s find out how often you should walk your Cavapoo pup.

There is a great article on the Chalk Kids blog about "How long should I wait to walk my dog after eating".

How many times a day should I walk my Cavapoo puppy?

Puppies of under three months will not be out on the streets because they haven’t been fully inoculated yet. When it’s time to walk them, make sure you don’t overdo it.

Too much strenuous exercise when they are very young could cause harm.

Cavapoo pups should be walked for around 5 minutes for every month of age. This means that a 15 to 20-minute walk for a 4-month puppy will be sufficient.

When you first start walking your Cavapoo puppy, you might want to break the walks into several 5-minute walks a day to ensure your dog doesn’t get too tired. Then slowly build up to two longer walks per day when your puppy has developed enough stamina.

Keep an eye on your pup for signs they are tiring, like panting, lagging behind you or lying down. If they become too tired, stop the walk, and instead get them to play with some age-appropriate toys or have an explore of your garden.

If your dog eats things it shouldn't while out for a walk, I suggest you read my article: How to stop your dog eating sticks.

Ideally, you should reach a point where your pup can enjoy a 45- minute walk twice a day by the time it’s 9 months old.

Can you walk a Cavapoo too much?

It is possible to walk your Cavapoo too much, especially puppies. If you overdo it, pups may develop premature arthritis. You should also avoid any exercise that involves running or jumping until they are 8 or 9 months to make sure they don’t damage their still-developing joints and bones.

Can you walk a Cavapoo too much?

If in doubt, stick to low impact exercise and free play to keep your puppy happy.

Now it’s time to discover whether your Cavapoo can make a great running companion.

Can Cavapoos run with you?

Opinions on this point vary. Some argue that the heavy impact exercise of running is unsuitable for Cavapoos because of their slight stature and small size, but others say that some make good running partners, depending on their size, capabilities and personality.

You should never take a Cavapoo puppy for a long run, nor should you take an older Cavapoo with you. However, if you have a larger fully-grown Cavapoo who has proven stamina and endurance, you may want to try it.

To prepare your dog to run with you:

  • Make sure they are capable of more strenuous activity and that you run only as far as your dog’s stamina allows.
  • Before you start to run, take longer walks together to see how well your Cavapoo manages longer distances. This can also be an excellent bonding exercise.
  • When you first run with your dog, stay in familiar surroundings so your dog isn’t distracted by novel sights and smells.
  • Limit your first few runs to 10 minutes then gradually increase the length of your runs over the next few weeks.
  • It is best if you alternate between sessions of jogging and walking, so your Cavapoo can slowly get used to running and build stamina.
  • Make sure you never take your dog on a run if they have an empty or full stomach.

When you go for a run (or jog) with your dog, you’ll need:

  • A suitable lead.
  • A harness to keep your Cavapoo safe. Make sure you get one of the right size.
  • Lots of water so your dog can have a drink and a breather every so often. If your dog starts panting too much, splash some water on their head and let them sit in the shade for a while.
  • Enough poo bags to clean up after them.

Most recommend you don’t run with your dog more than twice a week and that you give them ample time to recover.

After a run, check your dog for signs of injury and ticks, paying particular attention to their paws. Give your dog a quick brush to remove any bits of grass etc that may have got caught in its coat. See best brush for a Cavapoo here.

Wrapping up

After reading this, you should have a better idea of how much exercise your Cavapoo needs, how often you should walk a Cavapoo puppy and how much exercise they need every day.

Perhaps this has even given you the confidence to start preparing your adult Cavapoo to run with you.

Whether you plan to enjoy lots of walks with your dog or want to take things up a notch and make them your jogging partner, you have all the knowledge you need to have fun with your Cavapoo.

Start exercising with your dog so that you can both enjoy healthier, happier lives.

Read the latest Cavapoo posts here:

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