Do Cavapoos Bark A Lot? [What Owners Need To Know]


a barking cavapoo

Cavapoos are desirable little Poodle crosses that dog owners love for their small stature and cute curly coat. They can become sweet little companions. However, there is also the risk that some small breeds like this will get yappy and bark for no reason. So, are Cavapoos going to bark a lot and, if so, what can you do about it?

Do Cavapoos bark a lot? Unfortunately, yes, Cavapoos can bark a lot. There are many potential reasons why your Cavapoo barks more excessively than others, and it is vital to get to the bottom of it. While there is a genetic tendency for smaller dogs to be more vocal, other social and behavioral influences could also play their part.

The Genetics of This Tiny Dog

The Cavapoo is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and either the Toy or the Miniature Poodle. Typically speaking, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t bark that much. They aren’t as needy as some other dogs, but they can bark to warn their owner or see a perceived threat.

It’s a little different with the Poodle. These smaller Poodles can be a bit more dependent and ready to use their voice when they need to. Some will bark to get attention or if they feel anxious, mostly when left alone for too long.

There is also the fact that these dogs like routine and can become even more agitated when this is interrupted. A trip away, a change in the household, or other significant events could be stressful.

This means for the Cavapoo that there is a good chance that they will bark a lot, especially if they take after their Poodle parent. They have similar tendencies and feelings towards their owners, and new Cavapoo owners experience excessive barking issues.

There is the chance that a pup could be a little more laid back, like their Spaniel parent, but there is no guarantee.

Why Does My Cavapoo Bark So Much?

There are many reasons why Cavapoos are prone to barking so much. It is essential to take each of these into consideration to explore potential problems and solutions.

These reasons include:

1) They know that barking is an excellent way to get your attention

2) They have separation anxiety and want you to come back

3) They are happy to see you and need to express that

4) They are stressed out by something in their environment

5) They are frustrated that they can’t get what they want

Barking is The Best Way for A Little Dog to Get Attention

The Cavapoo’s small stature means that they can’t make too much of a physical impression when entering a room. Jumping up on people might not be that effective either. But, a persistent yappy voice does get results.

They may do this to get you to pay more attention to them.

This could be out of a sense of dependency if they feel unappreciated, and because they might be a little bit bored. You may also have something that they want, such as a toy or food. Barking is an excellent way to get you to hand it over.

So, if they see that they get a reward for barking at you, they will continue to do so.

Separation Anxiety

Many small dogs will also bark because of issues with separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is a big deal for small little companion dogs left alone at home for long periods. They get stressed out that you are no longer with them to provide care and attention. They also have no concept of time and no idea if you will return.

Ongoing separation anxiety training can help ease this issue and make them more comfortable on their own. Until that happens, they may bark throughout the day and disturb the neighbors.

Perceived Threat

photo of a burglar

Barking when there is a perceived threat.

Don’t forget that not all barking is a bad thing. Dogs will bark when they feel that there is a threat to warn their owners. Your Cavapoo may do the same if there is a stranger in the house or see something unusual outside.

There is no reason to correct this as they are doing a good job. It is essential to recognize this difference between suitable and excessive barking. They may also feel threatened by scary situations such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or surprising devices in a room.

Work to calm them down and deal with the anxiety more than the barking.

Do Cavapoos Showcase Aggressive Barking?

Aggressive barking isn’t going to be a big problem with these animals. You may get cases where Cavapoos bark because they see someone outside the house. But, this isn’t uncommon with most breeds as they try and protect their territory.

They may also bark at people they don’t know – either because they don’t yet trust them or because they want to get to know them better. That barking is unlikely to follow any aggressive behavior like snapping or snarling unless there is a direct threat.

Will Cavapoos Bark A Lot At Night?

cavapoo barking at night

Night barking is a more significant issue to deal with.

Cavapoos that don’t have their barking tendencies under control may feel the urge to bark whenever they need to. This could mean barking in the middle of the night when they are bored, anxious about being separated from you, or stressed out by an environmental trigger.

Understandably, this can be a big problem for both you and your neighbors if you don’t find a way to nip the situation in the bud as soon as possible.

Their barking could cause some sleepless nights and significant rifts.

Training Your Cavapoo Not to Bark So Much

Once you have a better idea of why your Cavapoo is barking so much, you can then work on training your dog. The right training method should gradually yield results where your pet doesn’t feel the need to use barking as a response unless it is essential.

Consider the following approaches:

1) Train your dog to sleep in its bed from an early age

2) Show them that barking doesn’t lead to the positive attention they desire

3) Provide positive reinforcement when they stop barking and stay quiet

4) Make sure that all members of the family use the same approach for consistency.

Training your dog to sleep in its bed is a great starting point if you need to deal with any possible issues of separation anxiety and night barking.

Problems can emerge when dogs deal with a change in their routine where they no longer get the same treatment and attention they once enjoyed. For example, you may have spoiled your Cavapoo puppy by letting it sleep in your bed and then placed it alone in its bed in the kitchen.

Make sleeping in a dog bed the norm from day one.

If they continue to bark at you during the day to get your attention or to get whatever they want, make sure they realize that this doesn’t work anymore. Turn your back to dogs barking for attention to help them see that you won’t respond. Turn to them when they stop and praise them for doing so.

With time they should associate the two behaviors together and limit their barking. If they bark because they want food or a toy, don’t allow them to have that item until they are quiet.

All of this training can take a little while to sink in, especially if your dog has picked up some bad habits early on. The most important thing to do is to remain consistent and positive. Negative reinforcement won’t work with these devoted little companion dogs.

You may worsen their anxiety and may then want to bark more. Offer praise and treats for corrected behavior to encourage more of the same. Also, try and make sure that every family member is on the same page regarding training.

You can’t have one soft-hearted person giving in and making things confusing for the dog.

Poodle Genes

Poodle genes mean that your Cavapoo should pick this up quite quickly.

The good news here is that this is a smart little dog, and it should quickly pick up the desired behavior. The Poodle is one of the brightest dogs and could easily pass on that intelligence to their offspring. This is the case whether you have a Toy Poodle or Miniature Poodle cross.

Establish the right routine and training program from puppyhood and stick with it.

Final Thoughts

In short, there is the potential for these dogs to get a little bit yappy and bark a lot. Many do so out of a need for your attention and affection as this is the most straightforward form of communication. Others may do so through anxiety issues or to warn you about strangers.

As long as you discourage excessive barking early on with the right training and regime, you can make the situation a lot easier to deal with.

More on Cavapoos

If you’re simply in love with Cavapoos and can’t get enough, then check out our other posts below:

Sources:

https://www.trendingbreeds.com/do-cavapoos-bark-a-lot-avoiding-yappy-dog-behavior-problems/

Recent Content