NEW PUPPY INFO | ADORE PUPPIES

Welcoming Home Your New Puppy

- THE MONKS OF NEW SKETE:

THE ART OF RAISING A PUPPY

-JAN FENNAL: THE DOG LISTENER

RECOMMENDED YOUTUBE WATCHES

-Mcmann's Dogs Youtube

Educating yourself and your family before you get a puppy will help in insuring you and your puppy to have a smooth adjustment.

Bringing Your Puppy Home

Bringing a puppy home is an exciting and joyful time! The thought of snuggling, playing, and bonding with your new furry friend is something truly special for the whole family. But as exciting as it is for you, remember that your puppy is also experiencing a big change—leaving their mother and littermates behind. This transition can be overwhelming, so it’s important to approach the first days with patience, gentle supervision, and lots of love.

Just like children, puppies can easily become spoiled—so it’s key to balance love with clear boundaries from the start.

Prepare Before Your Puppy Arrives

One of the best things you can do is get ready before your puppy walks through the door. If you’ve never raised a puppy before, we highly recommend having a trainer lined up or enrolling in a Puppy Kindergarten class.

Take time to:

Complete your puppy shopping – (check out our Puppy Shopping Essentials list!)
Read books and watch videos about raising puppies
Talk to experienced dog owners and ask questions
Align your family’s expectations and responsibilities

Consistency is one of the greatest gifts you can give your puppy. When everyone in the home is on the same page with training, it helps your puppy feel secure and understand what’s expected.

Puppy-Proof Your Home

Puppies are naturally curious—and that often means chewing! Anything within reach (and especially below four feet) is fair game in their eyes. Expect it, and prepare for it.

Stock up on a variety of safe chew toys and treats to redirect their energy and protect your belongings.

Also, take time to read up on household foods and plants that are toxic to dogs—you’ll want to remove or secure anything dangerous ahead of time.

Finally, be prepared to snuggle, socialize, and fall completely in love. Raising a puppy takes effort, but the bond you build will be one of the most rewarding parts of your journey together.

PUPPY BITING

Acquired Bite Inhibition (ABI) is when your puppy has learned to keep his bite strength at a moderate level and not actually hurt you.

Playing with litter mates begins the training. Biting is something natural, and you want them to be able to use "soft mouth" biting on your hand. when you are playing with your puppy. If they bite at your hand and it hurts at all, pull back and say ouch. It will startle them but it will help them realize acceptable biting and unacceptable biting.

Cavapoos are not aggressive by nature, but if not taught appropriately, biting can become painful.

Getting chew toys for your puppy with a variety of textures, noises and shapes is a great way that they can ease there puppy chewing.

Puppy Biting Watches

-Ian Dunbar - Teaching Biting Inhibition

-Zac George's - Teaching Biting Inhibition

Puppy Aggression

Most Cavapoos naturally have gentle, sweet behaviors. however every once in a while there may be one that will show a little aggression or an alpha personality (dominate). If they begin viewing themselves as the alpha they may seem to single out the youngest or more timid in your household. There are a few thing that are helpful in reversing this behavior.

Have the family ignore the puppy for a couple days. When they view themselves as the alpha they think they are in charge. By ignoring them, it send the message they aren't as important as they think they are.
If they are singling out someone in your household, have that person be the one to feed him. First have the person eat something in front of the puppy. When they are done, then feed the puppy their puppy food. If you watch a wolf pack the alpha always eats first. This will help your puppy establish who is the one in charge.
Have the person your puppy is singling out be the one giving extra treats.
Hiring a dog trainer is always recommended.

Implementing the steps above along with love and patients will go a long way in returning your puppy back to a sweet pup.

Puppy Grooming

Tips to Keep the Forever Puppy Look

Don't shave around the eyes.
Trim carefully to keep the eyes clear, but avoid shaving. Shaving can change the expression and make the dog look older or too “groomed.”
Avoid the mustache look.
Cavapoo puppies typically don’t have long muzzle hair. Keep the muzzle neatly trimmed to maintain that teddy bear face and avoid the poodle-style mustache.
Trim the face in a rounded, circular shape.
This gives a soft, plush, puppy-like look. Think "teddy bear" when shaping the face — no sharp angles!
Bring a reference photo to your groomer.
Visuals help! A photo of your dog at a younger age or a similar Cavapoo with the look you want will guide your groomer better than words alone.
Keep the ears trimmed but fluffy.
Long, stringy ear hair can look untidy. Keep them slightly rounded and blended into the head for that soft, cuddly appearance.
Regular grooming appointments.
Aim for grooming every 4–6 weeks to maintain the look and avoid matting, which can require more drastic cuts.
Brush at home regularly.
Brush your dog 3–4 times a week to prevent tangles and matting, especially around the face and ears.
Trim the feet and legs evenly.
Rounded feet and legs that match the body and head shape contribute to the puppy-like appearance. Avoid skinny legs or over-trimmed paws.
Keep the body coat at a medium length.
Too short and the dog can look scalped; too long and they look shaggy or older. A fluffy, even coat maintains the youthful charm.
Ask for a “teddy bear cut” or “puppy cut.”
These are commonly understood grooming terms, but always clarify with a photo — interpretations vary!

Bathe your puppy and trim their nails every two weeks. Be sure to brush them both before and after bathing—this helps prevent tangles and mats.

Using a conditioner along with shampoo will also help reduce tangles and keep their coat soft and manageable.

For more thorough grooming, it's best to have your puppy professionally groomed every 8 to 12 weeks, or you can choose to do it yourself if you're comfortable.

Handling Guarding Behavior in Puppies

Some puppies may show early signs of guarding items. If your puppy has something you want, approach calmly and slowly pick them up. Often, they’ll drop the item on their own. If they don’t, gently lean them forward while holding them—this usually encourages them to release their grip.

If they’re still holding on, get a tasty treat and hold it near their nose. Most puppies find it hard to resist a delicious smell! As soon as they drop the item, place your foot over it on the floor. Then, put the puppy down, keeping their attention focused on the treat. When they’re no longer paying attention to the item, quietly remove it from sight.

This is a wonderful way to build trust—it teaches your puppy that you’re safe, in control, and even better than whatever item they were guarding.

Puppy Gaurding

The Treat Game:

A Fun Training Tool - Another great tool in your training toolbox is the “treat game.” At random times throughout the day, say “treat!” and lead your puppy to the fridge. Give them a tasty morsel and lots of praise. Then go on with your day. Repeat this several times daily. Eventually, your puppy will associate the word “treat” with something wonderful and come running when they hear it. This becomes a powerful way to redirect your puppy if they’re guarding an item—or if you need to stop an unwanted behavior quickly. Make it fun! This game builds strong recall and rewards your puppy for choosing to listen to you.

Puppy Potty Training-6 Steps to Success

WE RECOMMEND TAKING YOUR PUPPY OUT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING & EVERY HOUR OR SO UNTIL BEDTIME.. TAKE THEM OUR RIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP.ALONG WITH SCHEDULED POTTY BREAKS, IT'S GOOD TO FEED THEM THE SAME TIMES EACH DAY. ALSO CONSIDER LIMITING EXCESS WATER A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE BED. BY THREE MONTHS MOST DOGS WILL BE NIGHT TRAINED. IF THEY SOIL THEIR CRATE SET YOUR ALARM EARLIER THE NEXT NIGHT.

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ESTABLISH A DEDICATED POTTY AREA OUTIDE. EVERYTIME YOU TAKE THEM OUTSIDE TO POTTY, QUICKLY DIRECT THEM TO YOUR IDEAL POTTY SPOT. IN TIME THEY WILL ASSOCIATE THAT SPOT - TO POTTY TIME.

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WHEN IT IS POTTY TIME ALWAYS TAKE THEM TO THE SAME DOOR. USE A CONSISTENT POTTY COMMAND "POTTY, POTTY' (FOR EXAMPLE). RING THE BELL (see our puppy shopping guide) WITH THEIR PAW AND TAKE THEM OUT ON A LEASH TO DESIGNATED AREA.

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WALK YOUR PUPPY AROUND IN THE DESIGNATED POTTY AREA. WHEN YOUR PUPPY IS READY TO POTTY THEY WILL START CIRCLING AROUND. IMMMEDIATELY PRAISE YOUR PUPPY AFTER THEY GO.

IF THEY DON'T GO TAKE THEM INSIDE AND TRY AGAIN LATER.

ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN. FIRST INTERUPT THEM WITH NOISE. IMMEDIATELY PICK THEM UP (EVEN IF THEY ARE ALREADY GOING). TAKE THEM TO THEIR DESIGNATED POTTY SPOT OUTSIDE. PRAISE THEM IF THEY FINISH GOING OUTSIDE.CLEAN UP THE MESS WITH ENZYMATIC CLEANER (SEE SHOPPING LIST). GETTING RID OF THE SMELL REDUCES THE RISK OF FOLLOW UP ACCIDENTS.

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Socializing

Bringing Your Puppy Home: Socialization & Safety Tips

Introducing your puppy to new people and new experiences is an important part of their development. Early socialization helps them become well-rounded, confident, and adaptable dogs.

However, keep in mind that the first few days in a new home can be overwhelming for your puppy. While it’s tempting to show them off to friends and family right away, it’s best to give them a few days to settle in and bond with your family first.

Vaccination & Safety

Your puppy is not fully vaccinated yet, so extra caution is essential:Avoid dog parks until your puppy is at least 4 months old and has completed their vaccinations.At the vet, do not let your puppy walk on the floor or use the outdoor potty area, as these places can harbor viruses and bacteria. Carry them or use a carrier instead.

Introducing Other Pets

When introducing your puppy to other pets:Always supervise interactions, especially in the beginning.Use praise and treats to encourage positive behavior.Avoid scolding — focus on creating a positive experience.If another pet is much larger or overly excited, use a playpen or baby gate to keep them separated until you’re confident they can interact safely.

Crate Training

A crate is a valuable tool for training your puppy, serving several important purposes. One of its key benefits is helping to establish good potty habits. Puppies naturally want to stay clean, so when given a crate that's the right size, they are unlikely to soil it.

A crate also teaches your puppy how to be comfortable spending time alone. Over time, it becomes a safe, relaxing space—like a little haven—where your puppy can go to rest or "chill."

To help your puppy view the crate as a positive space, never use it for punishment. Place the crate in a central area of your home, not somewhere isolated or out of the way. Encourage your puppy to explore and enjoy their crate by placing treats and toys inside. Save special toys or treats just for crate time to build a positive association.

Use the crate during rest times throughout the day, when you leave the house, and at bedtime. This consistency helps your puppy adjust and prevents them from associating the crate only with your absence, which can lead to separation anxiety. When you do leave, consider leaving a radio or soft music on—background noise can be reassuring.

In the beginning, your puppy may whine or bark. It can be tough to listen to, but stay patient. With time and consistency, your puppy will come to love their crate as a safe, cozy place of their own.