What *not to miss when training a small breed puppy

Unleashing Happiness: A Guide to Small Breed Dog Training, with a Focus on Cavapoochons

Welcome to the wonderful world of small breed dogs, where boundless energy meets a heart full of love! If you've recently welcomed a Cavapoochon puppy into your home, you're in for a delightful adventure. Small breeds like the Cavapoochon, a charming mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle, and Bichon Frise, bring immense joy but also require specialized training to thrive in their petite paws. In this brief post, we'll explore small breed dog training, with a spotlight on our adorable Cavapoochon friends.

I’ll jump right in with the spoiler here:
You have to be comfortable being the BOSS.

Yes. I know.

You may not be comfortable with that.

You are afraid of making a mistake.

Of being wrong.

Of looking mean.

Of losing their affection.

That is a pack of lies that is trying to rob you of the beauty of a well-trained pup.

None of the tips written here below will matter, nor will any other book you read or video you watch on dog and puppy behavior training, if you don’t come to terms with this:

Your puppy needs a heirarchy and a structure and a set of rules to live by in order to be happy. Even an imperfect one is better than none at all.

So, deep breath… make peace with it… and let’s dive in.

Understanding Small Breed Dynamics:

Small breed dogs, including Cavapoochons, often possess a spirited personality that can be both endearing and, at times, challenging. Their size may tempt us to spoil them, but consistent training is CRUCIAL to a well-behaved and happy pup. Small breeds may have unique traits, such as a desire to be the center of attention, a tendency to be more sensitive, and sometimes, a touch of stubbornness. Recognizing and embracing these characteristics is the first step to effective training.

Training Tips for Cavapoochons:

1. **Positive Reinforcement:** Cavapoochons respond well to positive reinforcement. Reward good behavior with treats, praises, or a favorite toy to create a positive association with the desired actions.

2. **Socialization is Key:** Small breeds, including Cavapoochons, benefit greatly from early socialization. Expose them to various environments, people, and other dogs to ensure they grow into well-adjusted companions.

3. **Consistent Commands:** Use consistent commands and cues to avoid confusion. Cavapoochons are intelligent and can quickly pick up on commands like "sit," "stay," and "come." Be patient and consistent with your training.

4. **Gentle Training Methods:** Due to their sensitive nature, Cavapoochons respond better to gentle training methods. Avoid harsh discipline and opt for positive reinforcement to build trust and a strong bond.

5. **Interactive Toys and Games:** Keep your Cavapoochon mentally stimulated with interactive toys and games. Puzzle toys and hide-and-seek games can prevent boredom and keep their minds sharp.

6. **Leash Training:** Small breeds can sometimes be prone to pulling on the leash. Start leash training early to instill good walking habits. Use a comfortable harness to prevent any strain on their delicate necks.

7. Be the boss** Puppies of any size benefit from a strong heirarchy, they are canine, afterall. Be sure they know early and often who the “boss” is and that they will learn to live inside of your home and your life. (We all know they have us wrapped around their little paws, but I promise, a trained pup is a happy pup.) A little whining from them and a bit of effort from you is WELL WORTH your energy as they learn to transition into your life.

**Choosing a Responsible Doodle Breeder:**

If you're considering bringing a Cavapoochon puppy into your family, selecting a reputable doodle breeder is crucial. Look for breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs, conduct proper health screenings, and provide a loving environment for the puppies. Be sure you feel comfortable with your breeder’s knowledge and practices before moving forward.
Also, look for a full social media presence, as there’s no chance a scammer posts 100+ photos of pups going to their homes.

The main points:

Training your Cavapoochon can be an immensely rewarding journey, filled with love, laughter, and a few playful antics. Remember, patience is the key, and building a strong bond through positive training methods will result in a well-behaved and joyful companion. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or a seasoned enthusiast, embracing the unique traits of small breeds and showering them with love will undoubtedly create a harmonious and fulfilling relationship.

Here's to many tail wags, wet nose kisses, and joyful moments with your Cavapoochon!

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Autumn Lovelies

Have the trees started changing where you’re at? Has the wind started to grab its “bite”? I love the autumn - who doesn’t? - and these sweet Cavapoochons have been so much fun during this time. They’re enjoying exploring the mums, seem to have an excellent time climbing on pumpkins, and have wrestled the crunchy leaves with enthusiasm.

We still have Cavapoochon pups available - bring some warmth into the season with these lovelies.

While Miss Gigi has settled into her home nicely, her littermates are still looking for their forever home. They are started on Crate training, learning basic commands, and have, overall, been a dream.

Write me here for info, or fill out the form below.

Here’s a few updated photos of these gorgeous puppies! More to come, and follow us on Instagram for daily cuteness.

Ernest - last available Cavapoochon pup

This boy has been such a joy helping us around the house during the Christmas season. I’m certain he will make a warm and welcomed addition to any home. He could be on your lap today!

That famous Giggle Tails “happy propeller tail” you all write me about?!? He’s got it in spades. :) Check out the video from part of his play time below. You can see that he likes his new toys, but still prefers his boys. :)

Mr Ernest, loving life

Eleanor - lovely Copper Cavapoochon Puppy

Miss Eleanor, our lovely Copper Cavapoochon Puppy is available and will be ready to go home December 4th. Can you believe it?! She is just the most precious little thing!

Her button face, striking eyes and nose, and that super soft medium wave just BED to be pet. She’s darling with my kiddos, gets along well with the other pups and is the smallest of the litter. We expect her to reach 12-15 pounds full grown.

For context, 12-17 pounds (like our Cavapoochons) are big enough to not need to be carried, but small enough to be comfortably rested on your lap.

Lots of people ask, What’s a Cavapoochon like? (Other than ADORABLE!)
Don’t take my word for it; here’s the top answer on Google:

“Cavapoochons are a good dog for first time owners. Friendly and well-natured, these dogs are adaptable and easy to care for. Offering all of the best qualities of Cavaliers, Bichons and Poodles, these pups are playful and get along well with children, making them great family dogs too!”

— Barc London, via Google

Would you like to see this precious pup (and her “brother”, Edgar) in action? Check out the video here!

Our Beautiful Cavapoochon puppies! Available to go home December 4th.

Special Offer!

If you have been considering one of our amazing Mini AussieDoodles, but aren’t sure about the price, you’re in luck! We are wanting to find our remaining pups loving homes by Thanksgiving, which means we are offering to help cover transport costs and lowering the price for the right families.

We have a few TriColor Mini AussieDoodles left, and two Merle puppies left - one male and one female. We have pups from the smaller litter (estimated to reach 19 pounds full grown) and the larger litter (estimated 29 pounds).

Mini AussieDoodle Puppy - gorgeous tri color markings

We are planning to post a some more videos in the days to come, but we are also more than happy to schedule FaceTime meetings to let you “meet” the pups.

Need a little more information about AussieDoodles?

Mini Aussie Doodle (AussiePoo) Info Graphic - What is an Aussie Doodle like?

A best friend - A Mini AussieDoodle Puppy

Mini AussieDoodle Puppies - ready for their new homes today

Looking for information on our Mini Aussie Doodles? Send an email today! (Prices are reduced to get our precious pups home by Thanksgiving!)
**Don’t want to email? Feel free to call or text: 865.888.5235

This sweet girl is available, too! Merle pattern and as sweet as she is striking. Email today!

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Mini Aussie Doodles and our Holiday Update!

Hi Giggle Tails friends! I hope the beginning of Fall is treating you well! Have you adjusted to DayLight Savings time?! That’s our very last “Fall Back” - EVER. Crazy thought.

We are updating you guys on our Holiday schedules and availability here, so that you know how to plan for your favorite Doodles.

Mini AussieDoodle Puppies:

Tri Color Male Mini AussieDoodle

Here is a short little Highlight reel of a few of our Mini AussieDoodle pups that we have available. They are ready to go home any time, transportation is available!

Penny’s litter is getting older, too! And thank you for all the interest in our Cavapoochon puppies.

These gorgeous Cavapoochon Puppies will reach an estimated 12-17 pounds full grown. I just can’t get over how precious they are. Heading home early December. Email me for availability!

We also have a beautiful litter of Cockapoo puppies that will be ready to head home mid December. Email us for info and more photos coming soon!

Mini Aussie Doodle Puppies - family loving pups

Our puppies have begun heading home and we are so thrilled to see the happy faces of our families when they welcome home their new best friends! There are still pups available from these Mini AussieDoodle litters, and they are ready to go home any time! The Vet gave the “all clear” and they are just sweet as can be. I’ll share some photos here of some other pups that we haven’t showcased yet - get ready to swoon.

There are two litters of Mini AussieDoodle pups heading home now, and we estimate they will reach up to 19 pounds for one, and up to 29 pounds for the other. Remember that this is just an estimate: Doodles like to surprise us! :)

Our Mini Aussie Doodle puppies are Tri Color and Merle puppies. A few of the Merle pups were born with blue eyes, and let me tell you: Mini Merle AussieDoodle Puppies are STUNNING. I think they all are, of course.

The differences in their markings and facial expressions CRACK ME UP!

This little pup’s head tilt just KILLS me

Blue Eyed Merle Mini Aussie - So striking!

If you are interested in one of our beautiful Mini AussieDoodle Puppies, fill in the form below and head on over to their page to see more cuteness!

Pups are finding their forever homes

Precious Toy AussieDoodle

It is the joy of every dog breeder to find wonderful, loving families for their pups. Each and every FaceTime meeting gives us the chance, as family breeders, to virtually “meet” folks from all over the country as we try to help them find their new best friend. This sweet pup (above) found her family, and we couldn’t be happier for them both.

This gorgeous tri-color AussieDoodle also found their home

This gorgeous girl (on the right) has the COOLEST eyes and was reserved (The blue eyed male on the left is available)

There are still several pups available of different sizes, including the blue eyed merle above. All puppies have been cleared by the vet and are ready to go home now! You can fill out the form below, Click the button to head on over to our Mini AussieDoodle page or email me at: puppy@giggletails.com for more information!

Our sweet pups get the very best love

AussieDoodles and Cavapoochon puppies!

My youngest son, always the Puppy Whisperer

If you have been reading about our program at all, you’ve probably seen that we’ve undergone some changes. Without going into a boring amount of details I will just say that in addition to our breeding of Cavapoochons, we are also helping a couple of other Family Breeders with their puppies. This includes the Irish Doodles and now the Mini Aussie Doodles.

We had seen that really great, ethical breeders were having trouble finding the very best homes for their puppies due to so many new “hobby breeders” following the 2020 Puppy Boom. Since we’ve been so very thankful to find excellent families for our pups, we’ve decided to try to help out these families, also.

We stay in contact with the families on a regular basis, go over to check on things and play with the pups, help with photos and family communication, and whole-heartedly give our endorsement to these homes raising these puppies. They are well-loved, well-taken care of, and each and every pup is given exactly the care you would want!

Now onto the Puppies!

There are two litters of Miniature AussieDoodles that are ready to head home anytime after next week’s vet visit! The one litter is estimated to reach 19 pounds full grown, and the other (with the merle puppies) is estimated to reach 29 pounds. Both are sired by Griffin - a pure bred mini poodle from another program who has excellent pedigree/lineage and has a clear health panel.

Without further ado, here are some of our favorite photos of our Aussie Doodle pups from this week’s playtime!

We are also THRILLED to announce the next litter of Cavapoochon puppies, now just under 2 weeks old. EEK! These pups will head home the first week of December, 2022.

These GORGEOUS pups are already as precious as can be. We are still in awe of their little faces and mini movements and sounds. More pics to come! One female (darkest red) and the other three are males. Deposit spots are now open!

Subscribe below! Keep following along with the cutest Doodle blog on the internet and you’ll be sure to never miss an update on our Cavapoochon puppies, Mini AussieDoodle puppies and F1b Irish Doodle puppies.

Introducing our Mini Aussie Doodles

While no 2 Mini Aussie Doodle puppies look exactly alike, their temperaments are always the same: Loyal, affectionate and people-oriented. Their sizes vary widely, too but Mini Aussie Doodles generally weigh less than 45 pounds and are as short as 12” high. (Helpful Tip: You can generally estimate the guess of a Doodle puppy’s size by averaging the size of the parent dogs.)

Tell me more about their coats!

The coat of an F1 doodle hybrid can vary wildly, choosing to take after one parent or the other or a perfect balance of the two. You can see in the photo above that the Mini Aussie Doodle (Tri-color) pup has a flatter coat on the face with a soft, light wave to the back coat. The Mini Aussie Doodle pup on the left has a medium wave uniformly throughout her coat. These tri-color Mini Aussie Doodle puppies will have an appearance similar to the Bernedoodle or Mini Bernedoodle, with beautiful tan accents with white marks and socks and a gorgeously shiny dark coat.

Typically speaking, the wavier the coat, the more allergy-friendly, although this is not always the case

Beautiful tri-color Mini Aussie Doodle puppies at just 4 weeks old

Tell me about their temperament!

As quoted on Animalso.com:

No two Aussiedoodles look identical, but most of them share the same temperament. An Australian Shepherd-Poodle mix is a companion dog, affectionate and devoted to families. They crave constant attention, so they do best indoors.

An Aussie doodle is perfect for families with kids, as the breed has extremely low aggressive tendencies. You don’t have to worry about the Aussiedoodle with other dogs, too, since they’ll play well with other small pets.

Friendliness is something the Aussiedoodle has in common with another Aussie Shepherd mix, the Australian Retriever.

Mini Aussie Doodle Puppies

The Australian Shepherd’s primary traits are noted as:

• Highly Intelligent

• Easy to train

• eager to please their owners

The Miniature Poodle’s primary traits are noted as:

• Smart

• Active

• Playful

• Good with people of all ages, from young children to the elderly

Merle Mini Aussie Doodle

Mini Aussie Doodles are some of the most striking puppies ever! The cross genetics breed healthy, happy, intelligent puppies that are as beautiful as they come. Stay tuned for more updates on these pups and read more about these AVAILABLE AUSSIE DOODLE PUPPIES here. These pups will be ready to head to their forever homes in mid-October.

If you would like more info on these beautiful puppies, fill out the form below:

Go Home Week for our sweet pups!

Flash back to our park day….

These sweet cuddly Cavapoochon puppies are 8 weeks old and we are getting ready to do our first “hand-offs” to their forever families. We LOVE this part - getting to see the family meet their new best friend and watching the reactions almost always brings tears to my eyes. It’s sad to see them go, but this is why we do what we do: because we know we just made someone’s life infinitely richer by introducing them to their new puppy!

Sweet Daisy goes home in just a couple of days

Miss Daphne heads home today!

Desi will be heading home this weekend

These two sweet boys below are still looking for their forever homes! We just love them to pieces and know that their best friends are out there for them! :)

Above is Dior, our Champagne colored boy with medium wave. He’s sweet and spunky and loves to play and then settles down for a cuddle. We just love his button nose and sweet expression! He will be great in a home with allergies and will do well with kids, too!

This is our D’Artagnan, this sweet white and spotted boy is all fluff! His tight medium waves give him an amazing coat, and his markings throughout his body make him just striking! This boy is ready to be somebody’s best pal, and is up for whatever adventures are in store.

Park Days, part 2

You know it was a glorious weekend when you are still talking about it on Monday. My kiddos are convinced that the pups will never forget their park stroller ride, either! :)

Sweet Cavapoochons

This litter is expected to reach 14-18 pounds full grown and be very good with children! Cavapoochons vary in disposition but these sweeties all seem to be very congenial.

Little Desi - our black collar male

D’Artagnan - sweet boy

Dior - our sweet Champagne colored boy

The males from this litter are still available and ready to go home April 7th! Contact me by clicking the button below for details!

A beautiful day at the park

Our sweet kiddos, lovers of the Cavapoochons, begged to go to the park today to celebrate the absolutely perfect weather. Shortly after they heard their wish would be granted, they decided to pop the real question: can we bring the puppies.

These little loves so enjoyed their stroll around the park and in the sunshine

The pups enjoyed their stroller ride, cuddles, photo time and, of course, running around in the grass. We will have some wonderful videos and photos to share with you over the next few days! We hope you keep checking back!

Sweet Cavapoochon Puppies

Lovely little Cavapoochons, enjoyed the sun and the weather

We expect this litter to reach 14-18 pounds full grown, be very allergy friendly and the most loyal of companions. They really are the most perfect small breed pup.

There are still three of these pups available from this litter and ready to go home in two weeks. Write me soon for more info!

Irish Doodle pups

Can you believe it is already the end of January?! We are 1/12 into a new year and it feels surreal. These little beauties are 9 weeks old now and simply stunning, and we can’t believe how fast their time has gone by! Their copper and cream curls and sweet faces make the heart swoon. They’re excellent with babies (as you can see) and they are truly perfect little puppies.

These sweet pups are ready to meet their forever families and we have a couple still available! Males and Females. We expect these beauties to reach 30-40 pounds full grown. Here are some updated pics:

Aren’t they adorable?! Reach out if you’re interested!

Beautiful Irish Doodles

Sweet Dark Blue collared pup, sitting pretty

Our gorgeous F1b Irish Doodles are a little over 10 weeks old now and we still have a few available. Let me know if you think one of these sweet pups are yours!

What’s the deal with Doodles anyway? Why is it such a craze? Why are people so obsessed with doodles? There’s good reason.

The poodle is notoriously intelligent. This sounds like a desirable trait, of course, but I don’t think people quite understand how smart these purebreds are. They commonly are able to open their own crates, find ways out of nearly any enclosure, and can generally find mischief wherever they choose - if they choose to.

The benefits of mixing another breed with a poodle are vast, but here are a few:

• a more allergy friendly coat

• a more intelligent mix than most breeds which are crossed with poodle

• can reduce the size, producing smaller or larger pets than you would normally get

• a diverse gene pool which most scientists believe produces “hybrid vigor” for a healthier dog

Gorgeous Pups

We sure love our Irish Doodle pups and I know you will, too! Reach out to me soon for info!

Want to see more F1b Irish Doodle cuteness?! Click the button below!

What’s the difference between an F1 and an F1b or F2 Doodle? What does that mean for an Irish Doodle? We are here to help answer that.

A perfect F1b Irish Doodle Puppy

There are more doodle puppies out there now than anyone can keep track of, and the differences are nebulous, to say the least. Here I’ll try to help you sort out the differences, but also I’m going to try to shed the light on why you want an F1b (like ours at Giggle Tails) versus an F1 when it comes to the Irish Doodle. Read on for more!

Keep in mind that this is an intentional cross and benefits from the health of “Hybrid Vigor”. We are starting at an F1, crossing two different pure bred parent breeds. (Whenever one of the parent breeds is a Poodle, a “doodle” is the result.) Here we outline our opinion of each cross:

The risks of F1

The major risks of F1 crosses are that they are so wildly unpredictable. Their puppy’s adult sizes vary even within the same litter, sometimes by 10 or 20 pounds or more.

Their coats also vary wildly, as they can favor one parent’s coat genes more than the other. This is a significant issue because people seeking a doodle often have allergies or sensitivities. The unpredictability of their adult coat (and resulting allergy factors) is a major deterrent for adopting an F1 cross.

Their dispositions also vary wildly. In the case of an Irish Doodle, a hypoallergenic coat is not the only reason this cross is beneficial for most homes. Irish Setters are amazing dogs: loyal, caring, affectionate. But they also suffer from separation anxiety and have significant exercise needs. The F1 cross may end up with significant traces of their Setter parent, and you will find little balance from the poodle side.

Moving on to F1b - what we breed for our Irish Doodles

We chose to breed and raise F1b Irish Doodles because we believe it is truly the very best mix for the Irish Setter and Poodle. Their sizes and coats are most reliably allergy friendly and the high mix of poodle genetics make them more stable, mature and trainable than their F1 or F2 counterparts. When you read online people discussing their Irish Doodles high energy and destructive natures, or their separation anxiety, they are 90% of the time referring to F1’s. Every F1b we have encountered has had the beauty, playfulness and loyalty of the Irish Setter, with the intelligence and remarkable maturity of the poodle. For this intentional cross-breed, an F1b is without a doubt the safest choice.

F2 Irish Doodles

An F2, or “multi-gen”, is a puppy whose parents are BOTH F1 mixes. These are exceedingly rare and pose their own list of threats. The main reasons are that the puppy could end up favoring one parent far more than the other in the mix.

Our F1b strongly favors the poodle, so what’s the problem?

Again, as noted in our F1 section, an Irish Doodle who takes on 75% of the Irish Setter lineage is going to end up with:

• a less allergy-friendly coat

• a higher level of exercise needs

• more separation anxiety

Whether for beauty, brains, ease or health, the F1b is the obvious choice for Irish Doodles.

Here’s a handy little chart for our Visual Learners:

Have questions? Email me at: giggletails@gmx.com

Want to see our Irish Doodle puppies? Click here!

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Grooming a Doodle

The BIGGEST difference between a doodle and a purebred dog is, without a doubt, GROOMING.

Doodles require brushing, dematting, and trips to a professional groomer. (Or you can learn yourself!) What I have to say about the importance of combing and dematting can be summed up in this meme:

Meme about a bad haircut

If you do not keep up on your dematting duties, your groomer will have no choice but to shave the pup down to almost nothing. (They feel like felt after a shave.) They can’t use the clippers through the matts, as it would jam the clippers and hurt your pup. Dematting usually needs to be done at least 1-2 times per week, but the more frequently you do it, the quicker the process will go.

I will link here to a video showing you how to use a dematting comb. I promise, it will be so worth it if you want to keep your doodle’s coat looking clean, soft and fluffy!

You should take your pup to the groomers every 6-8 weeks, like a human haircut. If you like the long and shaggy look, you can go further between appointments, but be sure you keep those matts from collecting under the fur!

Do you have any favorite dematting combs or/grooming tools for your doodle?

Cavapoochon Puppies - real life teddybears

“The Forever Puppy” really is a genuine, alive Teddy Bear. The puppy version of Pinocchio, this sweet breed is just as lovable as can be. We are so thankful for our weeks with these pups and for the loving smiles of their Forever Families once they go home.

Champagne colored Cavapoochon - 9 weeks old

Copper colored Cavapoochon - 9 weeks old

These gorgeous pups require lots of love and attention and time with their owners. They need to be brushed with a de-matting comb several times per week and they need to see a groomer regularly. They are not, strictly speaking, “low-maintenance” dogs. BUT, they are so loving, so adorable, so funny and entertaining and so endlessly loyal that they will grab your heart in ways you didn’t know possible. These sweet Cavapoochons, Forever Puppies, mini doodle pups, whatever you want to call them - are such little loves it’s hard to imagine life without them. We sure can’t.

The Irish Doodle

A purposeful hybrid breed that creates a wonderful companion.

The Irish Doodle is a beautiful breed, I’m sure you know. They are allergy friendly, especially past the F1 mark. They are good with kids and other pets. They are active and funny and very loyal pets.

So, what’s the downside?

The Irish Setter is a very loved breed with a long history of making their humans laugh and filling hearts with joy. Irish Setters on their own can have separation anxiety when separated from their owners for long chunks of time. The Irish Setter is also known to wreak some havoc if they are bored for too long or become frightened?

Our beautiful Irish Doodle puppy - Click the image to email us for more info

How about the Irish Doodle?

The Irish Doodle is typically more intelligent, has less anxiety, and is less destructive than their Pure Irish Setter ancestors. BUT these pets are at their happiest (and cause the least amount of trouble) if they are with their owners regularly - out running errands, in the house regularly/most of the time, and with a decent amount of care and attention.

Yes, the Irish Doodle helps with shedding, but this exchanges itself for grooming requirements. You can learn to groom yourself with a number of online tools or you can find a reputable groomer in your area. Here are a few videos that we like on DIY grooming:

We may have pups available! Click here to see our availability page.

You can also email me for info. And be sure to subscribe to this blog if you want to hear more about our Giggle Tails puppies!

Irish Doodle Puppies - F1b and cute as can be

The intelligence and low to non-shedding coats of the poodle, mixed with the friendliness and happy-go-lucky disposition of the Irish Setter. These puppies are BEAUTIFUL, medium sized, low to non-shedding, and amazing companion dogs.

Beautiful Cream F1b Irish Doodle

Our pups range in color from beautiful cream to deep Irish Red. These pups are STUNNING and will be your new best friend.

Beautiful Red F1b Irish Doodle

These pups can be great hunters and sports companions as well!