Why Cockapoos Are Harder to Train Than You Think!
Cockapoos are the UK's most popular doodle breed — and the most misunderstood.
If you bought a cockapoo because someone told you they were easy, friendly, low-maintenance family dogs — you're probably reading this thinking this is no further than the truth!
Because instead of this calm, easy-going dog you were promised… you’ve got one that pulls like a train on the lead, barks the second they’re frustrated, and seems to have an endless supply of energy with absolutely no off switch.
And honestly? No one really prepares you for this part. The constant zig-zagging on walks, the dragging you towards every smell, dog, and leaf like it’s the most important mission of their life. You pictured calm, enjoyable walks… not feeling like you’re being taken for one.
And it doesn’t stop there. It’s the barking (a lot of it), the overexcitement that tips into biting and grabbing, and the “how are you still awake?” levels of energy. One minute they’re lovely, the next they’re launching around the house, stealing things, chewing things, or just causing general chaos for the fun of it.
Then you get those moments where they feel completely uncontrollable — not listening, doing their own thing, and you’re left wondering if you’ve missed something… or if this is just what having a cockapoo is actually like.
You’re not doing anything wrong — you’ve just been sold a slightly overly optimistic version of the breed.
Because the reality is… cockapoos aren’t always the easy, low-maintenance dogs they’re made out to be. In fact, recent research looking at thousands of UK dog owners found that cockapoos showed more unwanted behaviours than most other popular crossbreeds — and even more than their parent breeds.
And honestly? That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.
As a puppy trainer working with cockapoo owners every single week, I see the same patterns over and over again — the pulling, the barking, the frustration, the over-the-top energy, the “I’ve completely lost control” moments.
They’re brilliant dogs. Loving, clever, full of personality… but easy? Not usually.
Once you understand the truth behind the breed, the sooner things start to make a lot more sense — and feel a lot more manageable.
What the Research Found
The research, conducted by scientists at the Royal Veterinary College, examined the rising popularity of Doodle dogs and the behavioural challenges they present. The study — "Comparing Undesirable Behaviours Between 'Designer' Poodle-Cross Dogs and Their Purebred Progenitor Breeds" — compared the behaviour of crossbreed doodles against their purebred parent breeds using data from over 9,400 UK dog owners.You can read the study here - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13001074/The study looked at 12 categories of behaviour.
The study looked at 12 categories of behaviour.
Cockapoos came out worst overall, showing more problematic behaviours in 16 out of 24 comparisons. The most common issues:
Excitability — cockapoos consistently scored higher than cocker spaniels and poodles for hyperactivity. That bouncy energy seems cute at 8 weeks and becomes genuinely difficult at 6 months without the right training.
Biting and mouthing — cockapoos bite more than either parent breed. This is a combination of the cocker spaniel's mouthy play style and the poodle's high stimulation needs. A bored, under-stimulated cockapoo is a bitey cockapoo.
Separation anxiety — doodles form intensely strong bonds with their owners. This is part of what makes them so loveable — but it also means they struggle enormously when left alone.
Non-social fear — unexpected noises, objects, environments. Cockapoos can be more reactive to novel stimuli than their parent breeds.
Biting is the most common issue cockapoo owners ask me about — and the most fixable
Why does this happen?
The poodle's intelligence combined with the cocker spaniel's working-breed energy creates a dog that needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation — and becomes difficult to live with when it doesn't get it.
Many cockapoos also come from breeding lines that prioritise appearance over temperament. This has led to significant variation, with some lines showing high anxiety and reactivity.
None of this is the dog’s fault. And none it it means your coclapoo is untrainable. It just means you need a clear, consistent training approach — not generic advice written for all breeds. Understanding the traits of both breeds and how they show up in your dog means your training plan can be targeted, realistic, and actually effective — instead of feeling like you’re just guessing and hoping for the best.
What kind of training actually works for Cockapoo’s?
Start structure early — clear, consistent expectations from day one. Structure is actually calming for high-energy breeds.
Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise — five minutes of focused training tires them out more than thirty minutes of running.
Build independence from the start — actively build your dog's ability to be alone from the very first week.
Address biting immediately and consistently — every person in the household responding the same way, every single time.
Sara Perceval — IMDT certified doodle puppy trainer, Mill Hill, North London
Where to start when your “easy family dog” feels anything but easy?
You start with a plan — one that actually takes into account your cockapoo’s energy, intelligence, and very strong opinions.
Inside my free puppy training guide, I walk you through exactly what to focus on first, so you can go from chaos and frustration… to a dog that actually listens and settles. You can download it by clicking this link here.
Sara Perceval is an IMDT certified puppy trainer & behaviour specialist based in Mill Hill, North London.
References:
Royal Veterinary College (2023) VetCompass Programme: Dog breed health and behaviour statistics. Available at: [URL] (Accessed: 18 April 2026).
Bradshaw, J. (2011) In Defence of Dogs. London: Penguin.
The Kennel Club (2024) Cocker Spaniel breed information. Available at: [URL] (Accessed: 18 April 2026).
Dogs Trust (2023) Dog behaviour and training advice. Available at: [URL] (Accessed: 18 April 2026).
