How much exercise do Cockapoos need?

Cockapoos are wonderful, charming and very energetic dogs, however, you may be wondering how much exercise Cockapoo’s need in order to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. This could be because you already own a Cockapoo and feel that they aren’t walked enough, or too much, or you are looking to welcome a Cockapoo to your home.

As with any dog, it’s important that your dog receives regular excise and stimulus to ensure they maintain a healthy weight, keep them fit, keep them happy and keep them mentally engaged. A dog that doesn’t go out often will get bored, put on weight and won’t have a healthy outlook or positive mental well being. This isn’t good for either party, as the dog will start to miss behave due to boredom, so you need to ensure you exercise your Cockapoo as much as possible.

How much exercise does my Adult Cockapoo need?

As a rule of thumb, you should ensure that you exercise your Cockapoo between 30 and 60 minutes per day. This could include walks around your local park, playtime by playing ball, mental stimulation, swimming, dog sports, or taking them with your while you cycle (they will run alongside you of course!).

The time needed will vary depending on the size of your Cockapoo, their age, any present health conditions and their overall fitness level. We recommend speaking to your vet about a suitable time period for your dog, as every dog is different, however, generally speaking, they require between 30 and 60 minutes per day.

The Cockapoo is a crossbreed between two super active and intelligent dogs – this includes the Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel,  and both of these dogs are super energetic and require lots of mental stimulation and exercise every day. However, the Cockapoo doesn’t have as much energy as both of these breeds, so you should aim to exercise your Cockapoo between 30 and 60 minutes per day. A Poodle and Cocker Spaniel, both require at least one hour of exercise a day, so the Cockapoo requirements fit nicely in between both.

If you aren’t currently meeting the above requirements, you should look to readjust to this pattern where possible, as you Cockapoo may start to gain weight and they won’t be happy!

How much exercise does my Cockapoo puppy need?

Generally speaking, Cockapoo puppies will need five minutes of exercise for every month they are alive, this means that if you have a 5 month-old Cockapoo, you should aim for at least 25 minutes of exercise. An 8-month Cockapoo will require 40 minutes of exercise. 

Once the Cockapoo reaches one year, you can take them for long walks, whether that’s in one walk or across multiple walks, i.e. 30 minutes twice a day. You shouldn’t overwalk your Cockapoo as this could result in sore muscles, joint injury and sickness.

Before walking your puppy, ensure that they are properly vaccinated before exposing them to the wonders of the outside world, otherwise, they are at risk of catching a disease and becoming sick. Speak to your vet about a vaccination programme for your puppy.

How can I exercise my Cockapoo?

There are various activities to help exercise your Cockapoo, it’s always best to alternate between activities so your Cockapoo can enjoy themselves and get as much fun as they can out of the activities. Some activities will help stimulate their brains and keep them engaged as much as possible (1).

Below are some fun ways you can exercise your Cockapoo:

• Taking them on long walks
• Running or jogging
• Swimming
• Playing a game, such as fetch!
• Tug of war with their favourite toy
• Finding the treat
• Treadmill
• Running up and down the stairs
• Take them to your local park
• Socialising and running around with other dogs
• Agility classes

Is one walk a day enough for an Adult Cockapoo?

Cockapoos are super energetic dogs and you should always aim to take them for a walk at least once a day, however, you could take them on smaller walks multiple times a day if you prefer. But yes, one walk of a dog is enough for a Cockapoo, assuming it’s between at least 30 and 60 minutes.

How much exercise does a 3-month puppy Cockapoo need?

It’s important to note over walk your puppy, as this could result in injury, however, you should aim to walk your 3-month-old puppy for at least 15 minutes per day.

As a rule of thumb, puppies require 5 minutes of exercise for every month added to their age. So, for a 3-month puppy, this will be 15 minutes of exercise per day.

Can you take a Cockapoo hiking?

Yes, you can take a Cockapoo hiking, however, you should hold off taking your Cockapoo hiking until they are at least 12 months old. This is because their bones and joints will be fully developed by the time, if you take them on big walks that may exceed the 60-minute recommendation, you risk causing bone and joint injury.

Make sure you stop and take plenty of breaks and don’t forget the water, dog food and treats!

Can you run with a Cockapoo?

Yes, you can run with a Cockapoo. Cockapoos are a crossbreed between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel, two super energetic and very active dogs with lots of stamina. Cockapoos will be excellent jogging partners, but make sure you stop and take plenty of breaks so your dog can rest and regenerate for the next run.

What types of exercise is best for a Cockapoo?

Cockapoos love to walk, run and play, but this isn’t the only method of exercise that they benefit from. Swimming is also an excellent form of exercise for Cockapoos, as it helps to build their muscles and keep them fit without putting too much strain on their joints.

Other popular forms of exercise for Cockapoos include fetching games, frisbee and even agility courses. As long as you are prepared to get involved and have some fun, your Cockapoo will be more than happy to join in and get some exercise. Just remember to take it easy at first, as Cockapoos can sometimes overdo it when they get too excited!

How can I give my Cockapoo enough exercise?

There’s lots of ways you can exercise your Cockapoo, but are some some other less intensive activities that help keep them occupied and mentally stimulated.

Playing fetch in the garden

Throwing a ball or toy around in the garden is an effective way to keep your Cockapoo active, especially if you have a large garden. It’s also a fun game for you to play together.

If you teach your Cockapoo to return the ball to you, it can be an excellent way to help them learn basic obedience commands such as ‘come’ and ‘drop it’.

Playing with a frisbee

Cockapoo’s also love to chase after Frisbees, so if you’re feeling energetic, why not have a game of Frisbee with your Cockapoo? Just be careful not to throw the Frisbee too high, as Cockapoos can sometimes have difficulty judging distances, and may attempt to jump to high to catch it!

If your Cockapoo doesn’t like to play fetch with a ball, a Frisbee may be the answer!

Interactive games for dogs

There are lots of fun interactive games you can play with your Cockapoo to help them stay active and mentally stimulated (2).

One popular game is ‘hide and seek’. To play, simply hide a toy or treat somewhere in the house or garden, and then encourage your Cockapoo to find it. This game is great for teaching your Cockapoo to use its nose to locate things and can be great fun for both of you.

You could also consider playing the game ‘follow the leader’, which is a super fun game. Start by walking around your garden or home, and encourage your Cockapoo to follow you. As they get better at following you, start introducing some basic obedience commands such as ‘sit‘, ‘stay‘ and ‘come’. This game is great for teaching your Cockapoo to listen to you and follow basic commands.

Lastly, you could purchase a range of puzzles and games for dogs which are specifically designed to keep them entertained and active. These can be great for rainy days when you can’t get outside, or if your Cockapoo needs a little extra stimulation.

Dog sports

Dog sports include swimming, flyball, agility and more. They’re a great way to have fun and bond with your Cockapoo, whilst also giving them some much-needed exercise.

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for Cockapoos as it helps to build their muscles without putting too much strain on their joints. If you don’t have a pool or access to a lake or river, you could take your Cockapoo to a local doggy swimming pool.

Flyball is another fun sport for Cockapoos and involves your dog jumping over a series of hurdles to catch a ball. This is a great way to help your Cockapoo burn off some energy, and can be played either in a park or at a local flyball club.

Agility is another popular dog sport and is great for building your Cockapoo’s confidence as they learn to overcome a series of obstacles. You can find agility classes at most dog training clubs, or you could set up your own course in your garden.

Playing with other dogs

This is an easy one, especially if you have a friend or family member that has a dog, as they can come over and play with your Cockapoo, giving them the socialisation and exercise they need.

If you don’t have any friends or family with dogs, you could take your Cockapoo to a local dog park where they can run around and play with other dogs. Just be sure to keep an eye on them, as not all dogs at the park will be friendly!

Another option is to sign up for a dog walking service, which will pair your Cockapoo with another dog (or dogs) for a daily walk. This is a great way to socialise your Cockapoo and give them some exercise, whilst also giving you a break from walking them!

Why is it important to exercise your Cockapoo?

As with all dogs, it’s important to provide enough exercise for your Cockapoo to keep them healthy and happy. A lack of exercise can lead to obesity, which can cause a whole host of health problems such as joint problems, heart disease and diabetes.

Exercise is also important for Cockapoos as it helps to reduce boredom and destructive behaviours. This can result in them eating and destroying things around the house to help them release their energy and boredom. A tired dog is a happy dog, so be sure to give your Cockapoo plenty of exercise!

If you don’t give your Cockapoo enough exercise, not only do you risk harming their physical health, but also their mental health too. A dog that’s not walked often could develop depression, anxiety and even aggression. So, it’s important to make sure you give your Cockapoo enough exercise to keep them happy!

Can you over-exercise a Cockapoo?

Yes, you can give your Cockapoo to much exercise, and this can be just as harmful as not giving them enough.

If you over-exercise your Cockapoo, they could develop joint problems, muscle soreness and even heat stroke. It’s important to build up their exercise gradually and not to put too much strain on their bodies (3, 4)

Below are some of the signs that you’re over exercising your dog:

• Lethargy
• Muscle soreness
• Excessive panting
• Glazed eyes
• Loss of appetite
• Decreased energy
• Confusion
• Struggling to walk or run
• Drooling
• Very wobbly
• Trouble breathing normally

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take a break from exercising your Cockapoo and to speak to a vet if the symptoms persist.

Below are some of the long-term symptoms of over-exercising your dog:

• Arthritis
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Ligament and tendon injuries
• Bone fractures
• Joint problems
• Heart problems
• Heatstroke

As you can see, there are a lot of potential health problems that can arise from over-exercising your Cockapoo. So, it’s important to not overdo it and to stick to a healthy amount of exercise for your dog (5, 6)