
The Cavachon breed can be a great addition to the family. When we added our puppy Kirby to the family, we had no idea what to expect from this breed. Over the last four years or so, we’ve learned a lot about his needs. Specifically, we’ve learned a lot about how much exercise he requires to remain a happy and healthy canine. Are Cavachons a naturally hyper breed?
Cavachons do have a fair amount of energy, but they are not considered to be hyper dogs. Most pet owners find that they do reasonably well with a moderate amount of exercise to help dispel excess energy. A short walk or a rousing game of fetch should be sufficient to help them burn off energy.
If you want to learn more about what you can expect from this breed, we’ll take a closer look at what your Cavachon requires from you.
Are Cavachons Hyper?
There’s a fine line between a dog who has playful tendencies and one who appears hyperactive.
Cavachons do enjoy playing and interacting with their humans, but this shouldn’t be mistaken for hyperactivity.
Many dogs from this breed are perfectly content to curl up on the couch with their owners while watching a movie.
However, you do need to make sure that you are taking care of their exercise needs.
This breed does require some exercise to maintain its friendly disposition.
Like most dogs, they can benefit from a medium to long walk every day.
They will love the one-on-one time, and they will get some of their energy out in a healthy way.
Most people recommend they be walked for at least thirty minutes each day.
You can break this up into multiple walks if you like.
Some people like to take their pup for a walk in the morning before they leave for work and again in the evening before bedtime.
We usually walk our Kirby early in the morning for about 30 minutes and the same after dinner.
This structure works out well for a relatively active dog.
Splitting the walks up ensures that they get the total amount of exercise needed while giving them multiple opportunities to rest up between sessions.
If you don’t relish the idea of taking your Cavachon on a walk, then you might want to play with them in the backyard.
This should be structured playtime, though.
While you can leave your Cavachon out to play by himself on a beautiful day, you need to spend time with him to ensure that he gets out all of his extra energy.
In particular, kids often love to play with the family dog, so you can assign them this chore each afternoon.
You can exercise your Cavachon through playing games like:
- Fetch
- Tug of war
- Chase
- Agility
- Flyball
A Cavachon who doesn’t have an opportunity for play will often appear more hyperactive.
With routine exposure to exercise, they are more likely to settle down when all you want from them is a good snuggle!
What If My Cavachon Doesn’t Get Enough Exercise?
A dog who doesn’t receive enough exercise may present with some troublesome behavior problems.
They need to get their energy out to be too tired to engage in destructive behaviors like chewing.
With too much energy on their hands, Cavachons are even known to become nuisance barkers who present as loud and frantic.
Keep in mind that exercise is good for more than just your dog’s physical body. The right type of structured exercise also gives them a healthy dose of mental stimulation.
This is what keeps your dog behaving in a well-mannered way.
If you have to go away for a while and don’t have time to walk your Cavachon first, be sure to leave them with something to stimulate their mind.
This is good practice even if you do have time to walk them.
Most owners find success by leaving puzzle toys out for their pup to play with.
For example, you may stuff a Kong ball full of treats.
Spreading peanut butter over the inside of it and then freezing it the night before is a favorite treat for many dogs.
Other healthy food options for your dog include spray cheese or cream cheese.
The Link Between Exercising and Training
The good news is that your Cavachon has the potential to be highly well-trained and disciplined.
However, there’s often a link between exercising and training.
A dog who has been thoroughly walked or otherwise exercised typically has an easier time focusing on the task at hand.
If you want to work with your dog to learn basic obedience or even fancy tricks, it’s best to take them for a short walk first. This allows them to play for a few minutes and to get out that excess energy.
Once they can feel more settled, they are far more likely to be obedient and studious learners.
The only caveat to this is that you must remember that structured walks can take a lot out of your dog mentally.
A structured walk is one where you ask your dog to walk in the heel position for the duration of your walk instead of allowing them to play and explore.
It requires more of their attention ensuring that they stay in sync with you and where you are headed.
These types of structured walks are great for both training and mentally stimulating your pup.
Final Thoughts – Cavachons and Hyperactivity
Cavachons are well-known for being friendly dogs with plenty of energy to play. However, they are not considered to be hyperactive breeds. As with all dogs, Cavachons do better with exercise. They can benefit from daily walks and playtime, but your Cavachon doesn’t require more than about thirty minutes each day. A quick walk in both the morning and the evening should be sufficient to keep your Cavachon calm and happy in your home the rest of the time!
More on Cavachons
If you’re simply in love with Cavachons and can’t get enough, then check out our other posts below:
- All About Cavachons By Actual Owners [The Ultimate Guide]
- Do Cavachons Like to Cuddle? [Our Kirby Sure Does!]
- Are Cavachons Good for Apartments? [Our Kirby Thinks So]
- How Big Do Cavachons Get? [Firsthand Experiences Shared]
- How Long Do Cavachons Sleep? *Sleep Habits & Training Guide
- How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Cavachon? [9 Top Tips Inside]
- Cavachon Lifespan: How Long Do Cavachons Live?
- How Much Do Cavachons Cost In 2021? [Complete Price Guide]
- Do Cavachons Have Dew Claws? [All is Revealed]
- Do Cavachons Get Tear Stains? [Treating + Prevention Tips]
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