Are Cockapoos Hyper?

If you’re the proud parent of a hyper Cockapoo, you don’t need an answer to the question are Cockapoos Hyper because you already know the answer. However, while Cockapoos are ultra-cute, and maybe you want one in your life, you are starting to see owners with the same thing in common during your research.

Most people who own Cockapoos say they love them to death, praising their sweet natures and adorable looks, but they also refer to their dogs as hyper, neurotic, over the top, and even crazy. So naturally, you might wonder if Cockapoos indeed are hyper.

Are Cockapoos High Energy?

Cockapoos are known for high energy, excitement, and getting into things a lot. They also have a mild-mannered nature which their Cocker Spaniel half might explain.

As you already know, Cockapoos are half Cocker Spaniel and half Poodle. Both parent breeds are renowned for their intelligence but come from working backgrounds. Because of their genetics, they are naturally active dogs, and while they don’t need massive amounts of exercise, they do need enough to burn off their excess energy.

If you look at any intelligent dog breed, they all have in common: they play up when bored. It can quickly lead to unwanted behaviour without sufficient physical and mental stimulation.

It’s rare to find any puppy that doesn’t have excess energy. Puppies are the same as young children. Dashing everywhere at 90 mph is par for the course with a puppy as it is with a child. It’s probably going too far to describe a Cockapoo as hyper. In reality, owners are witnessing an intelligent dog with a working heritage that requires enough exercise and mental stimulation to calm them down and be more relaxed.

My dog Luna was pretty hyper when she was a puppy; however, now that she’s grown older, she’s calmer and more relaxed. Read this article if you want more information on when to expect your hyper Cockapoo to calm down.

One thing you might see with Cockapoos is the “doodle dash,” where your dog has what I like to call a mad five minutes. They dash around the house, and it’s one way they can release any excess energy. You can read more about the “doodle dash” here.

Are Cockapoos High Energy Compared To Other Dogs?

This is a good question.

If your cockapoo has the genes of a working cocker spaniel parent, then they are more likely to be hyper compared to a cockapoo with a show cocker spaniel parent.

However, if there were such a high energy rating scale for dogs, I would put a cockapoo at about a 7/10 compared to other needs. A 10 would be a working sheepdog, and a 1 would be a Shitzu who, while they may have their moments are pretty chilled.

So, when people say, “are cockapoos hyperactive” they are compared to some breeds and aren’t compared to others.

How to Control The Hype Of A Cockapoo?

While I wouldn’t say, Cockapoos are challenging to control, understanding their needs is a question. So what can you do to stop a Cockapoo from being hyperactive, and what do you do if you have a hyper cockapoo?

Exercise Your Hyper Cockapoo More

Most dog owners make going for walks with their dogs a part of their daily lives. However, if you have a hyper cockapoo when they return home, the dog probably needs extra time outside. When she was younger, my dog Luna would happily do an hour’s walk and then run around the garden as a dog possessed. It made us all laugh; while she doesn’t do this as much now, she still has her crazy moments.

Taking the dog outside to do their business will never satisfy a Cockapoo. Take longer walks, and if you’re physically able, stride out when you’re walking, forcing your dog to walk much more quickly to keep up with you. 

Take time out three to four times each week to take your Cockapoo to the local park, where you have the space to throw balls or frisbees. I know my dog Luna loves going to the park and gets pretty excited when she realises where we’re heading. This certainly helps get rid of the hyper cockapoo that’s inside her.

Mental Stimulation For Your Hyper Cockapoo

There’s so much pet tech available to dog owners that it’s pretty easy to find toys that can occupy your dog’s mind and body. We have a whole article that discusses pet tech for dogs, and you’ll find some excellent ideas if you’re stumped trying to entertain your Cockapoo.

I love to play games in the house or the park with Luna. When we’re at home, I like to play a game I call “Find it.” I make Luna sit on the bottom step of the stairs while I go into the lounge to hide her favourite ball. Luna loves to play this game, and it’s a great way to keep her mentally stimulated because she has to search correctly to find her ball. Playing these games can be an excellent way to engage with your Cockapoo, especially on rainy days, when a quick out and back inside is the only thing we want.

Another indoor game we play is hide and seek. For this one, my wife, Emma, joins in. Luna and I stay outside while Emma finds somewhere to hide in the house. Luna will play this game all day long if she can.

Give Your Cockapoo Interactive Treat Balls Or DIY Puzzles

If you don’t want to rack your brains thinking up different games and puzzles for your Cockapoo, why not try The Enrichment Box. Everything in your dog’s toy box stimulates and uniquely challenges its mind. You can now give your dog the best variety of things that will help them think while you save money at the same time. You would pay much more if you had to buy each item separately.

Give Your Cockapoo A Job

Active and intelligent breeds can get massive benefits from having something to do that is both physical and mental. 

Performance-related work, herding, lure coursing, and dock diving is great for dogs. Activities like obedience, agility, and rally also provide the right mix of physical and mental stimulation for a dog on the go.

Final Thoughts on Why Is My Cockapoo So Hyper

Cockapoos are friendly, energetic, intelligent, and active. They do best when they get a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. Instead of seeing your Cockapoo as hyper, a much better way is to see them as energetic.

There is also a chance that you are reading this as an owner of a 6-month-old cockapoo and tearing your hair out. Pretty much every 6 month old cockapoo is going to be very hyper. It wasn’t until Luna was about 18 months old that we saw her start to chill out. Enjoy these cockapoo hyper moments, as you will look back when they are older and wish they could happen again.

In the end, it’s far better to have a dog that’s fun to live with than any other kind.