Do Cockapoos Get Along With Other Dogs? Things to Consider

Bringing your Cockapoo around other dogs can be an uncertain experience. Bred for their friendly temperaments, these dogs are extremely intelligent companions. Your beloved pooch is friendly toward strangers and animals, so he should easily get along with other dogs, right?

Cockapoos get along well with other dogs when properly socialized. Cockapoos are great pets for seniors or families with children and get along well with other animals in the home. Positive reinforcement training can help prevent aggression, whining, and barking when socializing Cockapoos with other dogs.

The rest of this article will explain more about this question in greater detail, including what to expect from a Cockapoo, introducing Cockapoos to new dogs, and some tips for helping to socialize your furry friend.  

Cockapoo Temperament: What You Should Know

Of course, there’s no “one size fits all” way to describe any dog’s temperament. Cockapoos are a little different because they’re a designer breed. Designer dogs are the result of crossbreeding two pure breed pups to produce offspring that are optimized for certain characteristics.

The Cockapoo was one of the original designer breeds (originating in the 1960s), so it’s been around a long time. That means that these pups have had generations to perfect their genetic traits and characteristics. 

Common Personality Traits in Cockapoos Include:

• High Intelligentence
• People friendly
• Sensitivity to loneliness
• Socializes well with other dogs
• An Even-temperament
• Very adaptable

There’s a reason that this breed has been around for so long. These dogs are friendly and affectionate, and they were bred to be ideal companions. 

The Cockapoo is a mix of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. This mix has contributed to the desirable personalities that Cockapoos still possess today. 

A Cockapoo’s friendly temperament is due to the desirable traits received from each parent breed.

According to the American Kennel Club: “The merry and frolicsome Cocker Spaniel, with his big, dreamy eyes and impish personality, is one of the world’s best-loved breeds. They were developed as hunting dogs, but Cockers gained their wide popularity as all-around companions.”

Poodles are described as active, proud, and extremely smart. They’re eager to please and very easy to train. They’re also protective of their humans and have a hypoallergenic coat. 

Cockatoos are ideal companion dogs, with an energetic and friendly temperament, making them perfect for any family situation. Cockapoos get along well with children, dogs, and many other pets in the home. 

To learn even more about Cockapoos and their temperaments, check out this video on YouTube:

Can Cockapoos Live With Other Dogs?

Cockapoos can live very well with other dogs. In fact, Cockapoos might be one of the best choices for a multi-canine household due to their sweet and loving dispositions.

Here are some of the reasons that you should consider a Cockapoo if you already have a dog and are thinking about adding another:

• They were bred for companionship. The Cockapoo was literally made to be the perfect pet. Without much attention given to the appearance like other dogs bred for show, the Cockapoo is hypoallergenic, very friendly, intelligent, and easy to train.
• Breeding consistency. The American Cockapoo Club encourages that breeders use multigenerational parents. This helps maintain the desirable traits while avoiding undesirable characteristics in first-generation crossbred pups. In other words, your Cockapoo will almost always have the personality you expect.
• They’re full of love. Cockapoos are sweet, loving, and they adore all of the members of the family. To say that the breed is naturally happy is an understatement. Bred for generations as a companion animal, a Cockapoo will have a full heart when they’re with their humans (and their furry siblings).
• They have a lot of energy. Having two dogs is a great way to burn excess energy and keep them both from getting bored. A Cockapoo is a great companion for other dogs because he’ll actively play with his siblings. Just like he seeks out companionship from humans, he’ll do the same with other animals.

Introducing a Second Dog to your home

Adding another furbaby to your family is a big decision. If you already have one dog at home and you’re considering a second pup, there are some things you can do to help ensure a smooth transition. Below, we’ll discuss how to make sure your Cockapoo’s introduction is successful. 

Bringing a New Pup Home to Your Cockapoo

If you already have a Cockapoo, then introducing a second dog should be fairly easy. These dogs are so friendly and loving that you can avoid many of the issues associated with more territorial breeds.

However, there are always some things to keep in mind during this adjustment period:

• Adult dogs are more set in their ways. You can easily train puppies to modify their behaviors. However, socializing your doggo with other pups can help him with the adjustment. Taking your Cockapoo to the dog park or doggy daycare may help prepare him for his new companion.
• Puppies take patience. Even if you have the ideal Cockapoo that tolerates everything, remember that everyone – even your dog – has a limit. Puppies can be a lot to handle, especially if your Cockapoo is in his senior years. However, the physical and mental stimulation from the new puppy can improve your older dog’s energy level and health.
• Remember to share the love. Your Cockapoo loves her humans, and if she’s used to being #1, she may be a little jealous if she has to share you with another dog. Ensure that she’s still getting the praise, affection, and playtime that she needs to reduce any potential friction.

Introducing a New Cockapoo to Your Dog

If you’re bringing a Cockapoo home that already has a dog, you’ll need to consider the personalities and needs of both animals.

Keep these tips in mind when introducing your new Cockapoo to your home:

• Prepare the space. Make sure that your new Cockapoo has a crate, room, or bed that will be all her own. This will be the safe space that she can go to, especially if she becomes overwhelmed by her transition. I recommend the Petsfit Crate Cover, available on Amazon, to help your Cockapoo feel safe and secure in his new home.
• Plan for bonding time. Any new puppy — or adult dog, for that matter — will need a lot of attention and positive reinforcement to feel comfortable in his new home. This is especially true for your Cockapoo. He’s so eager to bond with his new family that he’ll need plenty of positive interactions to feel confident in his place.
• Supervise your dogs. Make sure to supervise those initial interactions between the new Cockapoo and the established dog in your home. This will allow you to give positive reinforcement to both and make sure that their introduction goes smoothly. Until you know how both animals will react, you shouldn’t leave them unattended for long periods.

Training Your Cockapoo To Socialize

Luckily, training these pups to socialize is normally pretty easy. Though all dogs have a personality of their own, the typical Cockapoo loves attention and interaction with other people and animals.

Ways to train your Cockapoo to get along with other dogs, include:

1. Encouraging Good Behavior

A Cockapoo is an intelligent creature. They love learning and training, and they love to please their owner. These factors create the ideal situation for building good habits to help your pup’s social skills throughout her life. 

Socialization Tips for Cockapoo Puppies include:

• Start experiences early. Take your Cockapoo pup to see new things, people, and places as often and as early as possible. New sights, smells, and sounds will help him learn that he is safe will help him be more confident. (Make sure he’s had his shots before he gets out on the town too much).
• Use his name and teach commands. It’s never too early to start teaching your Cockapoo pup how to sit, stay, and come when he’s called. This will help him when he starts interacting with other dogs in a public setting.
• Use crate training. Using a crate to teach your Cockapoo how to sleep in his new home and to start housebreaking training will make it easier for him and any other animals in the home to live with one another.

Socialization Tips for Adult Cockapoos include:

• Watch for your dog’s signals. Adult dogs normally won’t try to harm puppies, but ensure that you supervise all interactions between your Cockapoo and other dogs. Watch for signs that he’s becoming uncomfortable and offer lots of praise and encouragement.
• Let him use his brain. Games like fetch, agility courses, and puzzle toys are great because they’re interactive, and you can play them in a social setting. Letting your Cockapoo use his intelligence will help him adjust to being around other pups.
• Follow the “rule of seven.” Take Fido to seven new places, show him seven new things, or let him meet seven new people. These experiences help him to adjust to change and know that he is safe in different situations. A confident dog is better at socializing than one who is timid and nervous.

If you already have a Cockapoo, take a moment to show her some appreciation for being such a great dog. For a fun surprise, try an interactive toy that engages your Cockapoo’s intelligent mind. 

The TRIXIE Dog Activity Flip Board is available on Amazon, and it’s a great way to let your Cockapoo use his brain.

2. Preventing Bad Behavior

Even the most well-bred dog may have moments of less-than-perfect behavior. It’s important to stop bad habits as early as possible to help ensure that your Cockapoo will get along with other dogs.

Like other dogs, your Cockapoo’s temperament and behavior depend largely on both his genetics and his upbringing.

As the experts at Vetstreet remind us, there’s no such thing as a ready-made perfect pup straight from the breeder. 

Early training is key, so start as soon as you bring your Cockapoo home. Based on his pedigree, he’ll be a hunting, working, and companion dog. Using these traits to offer enrichment and play will help him spend energy and reduce unwanted behaviors such as barking or digging. 

Because your Cockapoo loves people and attention so much, he may have bouts of barking. To prevent this, try to avoid leaving him at home for too long, and never put him in a garage or outside by himself for extended periods. 

Always use positive reinforcement with your Cockapoo. These smart and affectionate creatures are eager to please and will change their behaviors with the right motivation. Never strike your pup or use physical punishment.

Annoying habits or behaviors that look aggressive will keep others from socializing with your pooch. Recognizing these issues and correcting them as soon as possible helps to ensure that your Cockapoo will always be able to play with his friends.

I found the Brain Training for Dogs online training program to be extremely helpful when training my dog, Angus. I really liked the private member’s area where I was able to connect with other dog owners to get solutions to issues I had with his training.

I would highly recommend this course and I know it can help you too! Check out their website here to see if this course is right for you.

Common Bad Behaviors in Cockapoos

Not every pup is perfect, and even this ideal breed may have some behavior problems. Now that you’ve learned how to train Fido and encourage good behavior, let’s look at some of the bad behaviors you should be aware of.

Common bad behaviors in Cockapoos include:

• Cockapoos may display slight aggression. If he’s feeling uncertain or distrusting around strangers, your Cockapoo may seem slightly more aggressive than usual. Improving his confidence should help avoid this issue.
• Cockapoos can be territorial of their humans. Their unquestioning devotion and affection toward their family can cause them always to want to be #1. This could be more common if the family tree doesn’t include pure-breed parents.
• Barking or destructive behaviors. Because these dogs are so intelligent, they can easily become bored. This is even more of a problem if they’re home alone for long periods. Looking for ways to keep themselves busy can lead to barking, chewing, or digging. The best remedy for this is lots of play and exercise.
• Separation anxiety. Any dog can suffer from separation anxiety if they’re left home alone for too long. Cockapoos are no exception. Having been bred to be companion dogs, they can become especially sensitive to your time away.
• Attention-seeking behaviors. Have we mentioned that these dogs crave companionship? Some Cockapoos may go out of their way to get your attention through undesirable behaviors, such as barking, whining, or grunting. 

Check out this YouTube video to see a noisy Cockapoo in action: 

Are Cockapoos Good Family Dogs?

Cockapoos are great family dogs and get along well with other pets in the home. These dogs are highly adaptable and tend to do best in homes with children and yards with ample room to run.

Cockapoos are great family dugs because:

• They’re tolerant and friendly. Cockapoos get along with dogs, cats, and other pets in the home.
• Cockapoos are a perfect size. Small enough to be a lap dog and big enough to play with everyone in the family.
• Their pedigree is the ideal pair. The lovable and loyal Cocker Spaniel from The Lady and the Tramp crossed with a people-loving poodle makes for the best family dog.
• They’re adaptable. The Cockapoo is one of the most adaptable breeds that can live in many different home or family environments. They thrive anywhere that their family is near.
• Cockapoos are intelligent with moderate energy. These pups are not as high-strung as some other small breeds, meaning that they will not have an endless amount of energy to get out every day. They like to train and learn, which makes them ideal for the family.

Do Cockapoos Get Jealous around other dogs?

Because these dogs love their families so much, you might be wondering if they get jealous. It seems contradictory that a dog would be so great around other dogs and loyal and affectionate toward his humans. Most dogs have some instances where they may jealously protect their territory, but what about Cockapoos?

Cockapoos tend not to be jealous or threatening toward other dogs. Cockapoos quickly bond with family members and get along well with other dogs in the home. While Cockapoos are not typically aggressive, they will often jealously protect their family members when approached or threatened by an unfamiliar dog.

 Cockapoos tend to be quite lively dogs and so they like to be doing something with you constantly. Once that is taken away, any dog can become jealous.

We know someone who had a Cockapoo that would let out a soft growl when strangers approached his human (though this was usually only if she was sitting on her owner’s lap).

Growling is not so much a sign of aggression as it is a sign that a Cockapoo pup is claiming you as his territory. 

This could be true with small children, as well. If you’ve had a Cockapoo for many years, he may not be too happy if a baby suddenly comes along and takes some of his attention. However, these furry friends are typically great around kids.

Final Thoughts

Cockapoos are great for families with multiple pets. They’re one of the most established designer breeds out there, and their longevity as a top choice for those seeking a pure-bred designer pup is no accident. 

Whether you’re thinking about adding a Cockapoo to your home, or you already have one and want to adopt another pup, you’ll have no problem introducing him to the new member of the family.

If you already have a Cockapoo, take a moment to show him some appreciation for being such a great dog.