Unconditional Love with an Expiration Date, The Bittersweet Reality of Life with a Cavapoo
My daughter had always wanted a dog, and after doing some research, I decided that a Cavapoo would be the perfect dog for our family. They are known for being affectionate, intelligent, and low-shedding. We picked a breeder based on no more than a work colleagues recommendation, joined a waiting list and eagerly awaited the arrival of our pup. Now, that was a few years ago and there are many things I wish I’d known before she came into our lives.
Puppyhood
Puppyhood can be a challenging time for any dog owner, but I was completely unprepared for just how much of a terror my Cavapoo puppy could be. At 8 weeks old, she settled quickly, was all adorable sweetness and cuddles. I thought I had hit the jackpot. But then, as she reached around 3 months old, everything changed.
My once-calm fluffy puppy transformed into a ball of energy that could destroy anything in her path. Shoes, furniture, and even the carpet were no match for her razor-sharp teeth, bladder and boundless energy. I found myself constantly chasing after her, trying to stop her from wreaking havoc on hands, furniture and well, everything.
At first, I was frustrated and overwhelmed. I had no idea how to deal with this tiny tornado that had taken over our lives. Even the kids would retreat into their bedrooms and close the door. But as I began to do more research and talk to other dog owners, I learned that this behavior was completely normal for puppies.
Cavapoos, in particular, are known for being highly active and playful, and it’s essential to provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. I also learned that consistency and positive reinforcement were key when it came to training my girl. It wasn’t always easy, but with patience and perseverance, I started to see progress.
Looking back, I wish I had been more prepared for the challenges of puppyhood, read up a bit more. I wish I had known just how much energy and attention my Cavapoo would require, and how much work would be involved in training her. But despite the struggles, I wouldn’t trade my Cavapoo for anything. She brings me so much joy and laughter, and watching her grow and learn has been one of our most rewarding family experiences.
Remember puppyhood can be tough – you’re learning about each other, but it’s worth it in the end. I always thought to myself: it’s a good thing she’s cute!
They come in different sizes
We didn’t do our homework. We didn’t know that like their poodle parent, Cavapoos can come in different sizes. We simply assumed that our new puppy would be a medium-sized dog.
To our surprise, when we picked up our Cavapoo puppy, she was still much smaller than we had expected. We had unintentionally purchased a ‘toy’ Cavapoo, which was a lot smaller than we had imagined. Initially, we were a bit taken aback by her size, but of course, it didn’t take long for us to fall in love.
Our little Cavapoo quickly became a perfectly-sized lap dog, cuddling up to us on the couch and following us everywhere we went. She was incredibly affectionate and loved being held, carried and petted, which as it turned out, made her the perfect companion for us.
As she grew older, we realized that her small size did come with some issues. For instance, she was quite fragile and could easily be injured if we accidentally stepped on her or played too rough (I think we’re guilty of stepping on her at least twice). We also had to be careful when it came to exercise, as she couldn’t handle long walks or intense physical activity. It was also tricky to find suitable collars and harnesses which would fit. She wore a cat collar for the first 6 months of life and we nearly lost her on a walk when she managed to wriggle out of her diddy puppy harness because even the smallest setting was still too big!
Health wise we were unlucky that she has luxating patella, it showed up at around 9 months with limping, is very common in ‘toy breeds’ and is not covered by most pet insurance policies. It doesn’t trouble her often and we are hoping it won’t get worse. It’s a watch and see on that one. Unfortunately our ‘breeder’ didn’t want to know about it, blamed us instead. I wish we’d been more prepared for potential health issues and how clarity is required on health guarantee claims made by breeders. If you’re looking at pet insurance, try and find one that covers luxating patella, especially for a toy Cavoodle.
Super Fussy
Another thing I wish I had known before getting a Cavapoo was just how fussy they could be when it comes to food. They can be total divas at meal time, turning their noses up at even the most premium dog food brands.
I quickly learned that my Cavapoo had a very low food drive and wasn’t interested in eating unless it was something she really enjoyed… or treats. This meant that meal times could be quite stressful, with me trying to coax her into eating her food, while she looked up at me with big puppy eyes, waiting for something better to come along.
I tried a variety of different foods, but she was never satisfied for long. Even the most expensive dog food brands on the market were met with next to no success. I found myself down on my hands and knees, pleading with my pup to eat, only for her to sniff, turn her nose up and walk away.
It doesn’t take too long to learn that a Cavapoo is much more interested in human food than dog food. She would happily eat anything from rump steak to fresh salmon, hand-fed of course. I’ve learned that I had to be firm and treat her like a wilful toddler that refuses to eat their veg. Basically this equates to taking her food away and putting it back out again next meal time. She eats eventually. No dog willingly starves itself. Not even the fussy Cavapoo.
Matting Sucks
I tried my best to stay on top of all that brushing, but it seemed like no matter what I did, the matting would always come back. I’m certain I’ve purchased around 23 different types of grooming implements, hoping to find the perfect tool to keep my pup’s coat healthy, beautiful and mat free.
It wasn’t just the fact that the matting feels weird when you stroke them. It’s uncomfortable for my pup. Mats tighten and pull on her skin, causing discomfort and even pain. It made me feel terrible knowing that she was uncomfortable because of something that I couldn’t seem to fix.
I have spent hours brushing and trying to groom an uncooperative pup, and have eventually found a routine that works for us. It required time and effort and looking back, I wish I had done more research on Cavapoo grooming before I got her. I would have been more prepared for ways to get her to like being brushed and how to avoid matting, and maybe even found the right grooming tools and routine sooner.
They have “Their Person”
As much as I love my Cavapoo and do everything for her, including brushing, feeding, walking, playing, and cleaning, she will still go and curl up on my partner’s lap. I couldn’t help but feel a little hurt and jealous when this happens. After all, I was the one who did everything!
It took me a while to understand that it wasn’t personal. Cavapoos tend to develop a close bond with one particular person, and in my case, it happened to be my partner. It didn’t mean that she didn’t love me or appreciate all that I did for her. She just has a preference for cuddling with my partner.
Once I accepted this, it was easier to enjoy the moments when my Cavapoo did choose to cuddle with me (in our household we call it being ‘Oodled’). I also found that spending more one-on-one time with my girl helped to strengthen our bond. We went on more walks together, played more games, and had more cuddles.
Looking back, I wish I had known more about the one-person dog tendency of Cavapoos. It would have saved me from feeling – well, more than a little put out when my pup preferred my partner’s lap over mine.
It’s no longer just you
One of the biggest things that I wish I had known before getting a Cavapoo is that you are never just you again. You have to think about them when you go out, and you can’t just leave them behind. They are needy and clingy, she even follows me to the toilet. It can feel really restrictive and at times and if I’m honest with you, in the early days I felt resentful of our decision to get a dog.
Whenever I go out, I have to think ahead and worry about my dog’s needs. I can’t just grab my handbag and go. Every nice handbag I have now has dog treats in the bottom. I have to carry a bag with me everywhere we go, filled with dog treats, a supply of water, dog poop bags, dog fur wipes (in case she gets into something) and the rest.
It’s like having another child – a toddler who will never grow up, never tidy its toys or not make a mess. I can’t just come home and relax anymore. I have to make sure my dog is fed, walked, and has enough playtime. I have to keep an eye on her all the time to make sure she’s not getting into anything she shouldn’t be.
But despite all of this, I wouldn’t trade my Cavapoo for anything. She brings so much joy and love into my life, and I couldn’t imagine my life without her now. She has become my constant companion, my little fur baby. I made the commitment to get a dog and I’ve adjusted my life to care for her properly. I just wish I had known how much my life would change before getting a Cavapoo. It’s a big responsibility, but it’s also a big reward.
Her life is short
I knew getting a dog would change my life in someway, but what I didn’t expect was the depth of love and attachment I would feel towards my girl. She has become my constant companion, my confidant, and my best friend. However, the reality of our bond means that someday she will leave me, and the thought of it breaks me into little pieces.
As much as I try to avoid thinking about it, the truth is that our time together is limited. When that day comes, it will hurt more than anything I have known to date. I will not only lose my dog, but I will lose my best friend. The thought of it is almost too much to bear.
I wish I had known before getting a Cavapoo how much this bond would mean to me, and how much it would hurt when it inevitably ends. It’s a pain that I can’t even begin to imagine, but one that I know I will have to face someday.
Despite the sadness that looms over our future, I know that every moment spent with my Cavapoo is worth it. The love and joy she brings into my life makes every sacrifice and hardship worthwhile. I will cherish every moment we have together, and when the time comes, I will hold onto the memories and the love we shared.
