Cockapoos have a lot of energy to spend every day. If you have one or consider adopting one, you probably know that their intelligence and playfulness make them awesome companions. However, it’s also important for you to understand how much exercise your dog needs to stay in good shape!
In general, a healthy adult Cockapoo needs between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. This should include daily walks, purposeful activity, and mental stimulation. Your Cockapoo exercise requirements will vary a lot according to his age, physical conditions, energy level, and breeding.
If you don’t keep your dog active and stimulated, he might develop behavioral issues or simply get bored. Providing him with proper exercise is therefore essential to care for his health and well-being.
With mixed breeds such as the Cockapoo, every animal has unique needs and conditions. Thus, let me help you find out how much physical activity and mind enrichment your dog requires to be happy!
How Much Exercise Does Your Cockapoo Need?
To understand what type of companions Cockapoos are, let’s look at their parent breeds. The Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel are both active and intelligent. For their exercise requirements, they need around 1 hour of daily exercise.
Because Cockapoos generally have a little bit less energy than Poodles and Cocker Spaniels, they don’t require as much time to spend it.
Thus, from 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day is an excellent guideline to follow if you have an adult Cockapoo that doesn’t have any special health condition.
What Can Influence Your Cockapoo’s Exercise Requirements?
If you want to determine more precisely how much physical activity your dog’s needs, there are many elements to consider.
The breed is only one factor that can help you understand what’s required to keep him healthy and happy. You should take all the information you have to provide your Cockapoo with proper exercise!
Age. (Puppy VS Adult VS Senior)
Does a puppy Cockapoo need as much exercise as an adult one? Absolutely not. That’s why your dog’s age is essential to consider. His requirements and conditions will change during all his life depending on how old he is.
The general rule of 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise relates to an adult Cockapoo. If your dog is very young or old, his needs won’t be the same. Thus, let’s see how his age can influence what amount and type of physical activity he requires!
How Much Exercise Does Your Puppy Cockapoo Need?
Young dogs have a lot of energy, but they need to develop stamina. Their bones, joints, and muscles are also growing, so too much or vigorous exercise can be bad for them.
Although their different conditions, physical activity is still important for your puppy Cockapoo. You only have to understand how much time it’s necessary to spend his energy and what workouts are safe for him.
The rule of thumb for puppies is to provide them with 5 minutes of exercise per month of age one or two times a day. For instance, a 4-month-old Cockapoo needs between 20 and 40 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Your puppy’s energy and physical conditions will determine what his exact requirements are.
| Puppy Age | Exercise Needs |
| 3 Months Old | 15-30 Minutes |
| 4 Months Old | 20-40 Minutes |
| 5 Months Old | 25-45 Minutes |
| 6 Months Old | 30-60 Minutes |
At What Age Will Your Cockapoo Be Fully Grown?
The time it takes for dogs to reach their full size mainly depends on how large/small they are. Thus, the age your Cockapoo will have when he’s fully grown is influenced by the type of Poodle used for breeding.
If he’s relatively small, it will take him around 6 months to reach his adult size. For large Cockapoos, it can take from 9 to 12 months before they are fully grown.
How Much Exercise Does Your Senior Cockapoo Need?
At an elderly age, your dog will calm down and have less enthusiasm to exercise. He will also be more prone to suffer from hip dysplasia, arthritis, or other physical conditions. That’s why it’s essential to adapt how much and what type of physical activity you provide to an old Cockapoo.
Health & Physical Conditions.
Apart from your dog’s age, his medical situation will also influence his exercise needs. Even if Cockapoos are generally healthy, they can still have special conditions.
They are prone to joint issues, injuries, disorders, and many other essential things to consider when it comes to physical activity.
To know if your pooch has any health problem you should know, I highly recommend you to visit a veterinarian. At the same time, it’s an excellent opportunity to ask for personal advice on how much exercise he should have.
Energy Level & Stamina.
Cockapoos have quite a bit of energy, but they are rarely hyperactive. With that being said, some of them can be more lively and playful than others.
That’s why the energy your dog has is important to take into account if you want to exercise him properly.
Whether your Cockapoo has a lot of energy or not, you should also understand how fast he can burn it off. His ability to sustain prolonged physical and mental effort will influence how much time it takes to tire him out.
Thus, your dog’s stamina and energy will help you find out what his exercise requirements are.
Breeding. (Type of Poodle)
The Cockapoo is a wonderful cross between the American Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. Nonetheless, there are different types of Poodles. You have the Standard, the Miniature, and the Toy one.
Generally, Cockapoos are originated from the Miniature Poodle because his size is compatible with the Cocker Spaniel. My general exercise recommendation of 30 to 60 minutes per day is related to this variety of the mixed breed.
If you have a Maxi Cockapoo (Standard Poodle X Cocker Spaniel), he probably needs more physical activity because of his size. On the other hand, the Toy Cockapoo (Toy Poodle X Cocker Spaniel) generally won’t require as much exercise to be satisfied.
Thus, it’s extremely important to know your dog’s parent breeds to keep him healthy and happy!
Walking As Exercise For Your Cockapoo!
Once you understand how much physical activity your dog needs, it’s time to meet his requirements. The first essential source of exercise you should provide him with is daily walking.
It’s an excellent habit to spend his excess energy, control his weight, stimulate his brain, and improve his overall weight. But, now you probably wonder what your Cockapoo needs are concerning daily walks?
How Long & Often Should You Walk Your Cockapoo?
In general, Cockapoos need at least 15 to 30 minutes of walking per day. Their parent breeds (Poodle & Cocker Spaniel) have a lot of energy and stamina. Thus, they are suitable for long walks and hikes up to 1 or 2 hours. Your Cockapoo should ideally get two walks per day totaling between 30 and 45 minutes.
For puppies, the rule of 5 minutes per month of age is still accurate. Thus, half of your young dog’s exercise needs can be satisfied with walking. For instance, a 4-month-old puppy Cockapoo would require around 20 minutes of daily walks and 20 minutes of playtime or moderate physical activity.
Disclaimer:
How much you should walk your Cockapoo will also depend on its specific conditions. My recommendations are simply guidelines to help you out, but they aren’t universal.
Every dog has different needs, so it’s important to adapt the amount of walking time you provide yours with according to his health, age, fitness, energy level, etc.
How Far Can Your Run With Your Cockapoo?
If you are an active person, you may want to take your dog with you on running trails. With proper preparation and training, Cockapoos can be suitable for vigorous physical activity.
They have enough stamina and energy to run safely anywhere from 1 to 3 miles (1.5 to 5 km). If your Cockapoo is very active and athletic, he may be able to run up to 5 miles (8 km).
I also have another article in which I’m sharing more information about running with this mixed-breed!
5 Ways To Provide Your Cockapoo With Proper Physical Activity!
Daily walks aren’t enough to keep your dog fit, healthy, and happy. There are many other ways to meet his daily purposeful activity needs. After some research, I’ve found 5 awesome exercise ideas to spend your Cockapoo’s pent-up energy!
Interactive Games.
If you want to have fun and tire out your dog relatively quickly, playing games together can be great. Cockapoos are very social pets, so it’s important to spend time with them.
The most popular interactive activity is to throw a ball as far as you can, let your dog chase it, and teach him how to bring it back to you. Indeed, fetch is an excellent way to provide an intense workout to your Cockapoo in record time.
To make this classic game as enjoyable as possible for everyone, I highly recommend you to check out the ChuckIt Ball Launcher. If you’re too busy to play fetch with your Cockapoo, investing in an automatic ball launcher such as the iFetch Machine can be an excellent idea.
Apart from retrieving games, there are many other ways to exercise and interact with your dog. Playing tug-of-war, hide & seek, or tag are also great options to meet his physical activity requirements.
Dog Sports.
With their high level of energy and good stamina, Cockapoos can be suitable partners for vigorous exercise. As intelligent, active, easy dogs to train, my first recommendation would be agility training. It’s an excellent sport to provide them with proper physical and mental stimulation.
As long as your pooch is well-trained, obedient, and in good shape, I highly recommend you to try dog agility. It’s fun, beneficial for both of you, and good for bonding. To build an obstacle course in your backyard and start training your Cockapoo, check out this agility starter kit on Amazon!
Other sports such as running, swimming, and frisbee can also be great for physical activity. If you have a Maxi Cockapoo, urban mushing sports (canicross, bikejoring & skijoring) are ideal for energetic and strong dogs. With smaller Cockapoos, pulling you on trails might be too difficult.
Free Playtime.
You don’t need anything else than some time, energy, and creativity to exercise your dog. Just running and playing in your backyard or at the park can be enough to spend his excess energy.
Simple things such as chasing bubbles or playing with a hose can also be a fun and entertaining workout for both of you. Cockapoos are generally playful, so they shouldn’t be too difficult to tire out if you have some imagination.
For puppies, free playtime is the best way to exercise. Too vigorous workouts can be bad for them. That’s why moderate physical activity is ideal for a puppy Cockapoo to remain entertained and in good shape.
Play With Dog Toys.
One of the easiest ways to keep your pet busy and active is with toys. Whether he likes to chase, run, or chew, there are many products available to satisfy his desires. To help you save time, I’ve already selected 3 awesome toys for Cockapoos.
If your buddy has a high prey drive and is very energetic, the Flirt Pole is an excellent option for him. It’s basically a giant teaser cat toy that’s designed for dogs. I mainly love this exercise equipment because it’s great to tire out your Cockapoo in a small area.
For playful dogs that love to chew, I highly recommend the West Paw Tux. This interactive chewing toy is very stimulating and can be used to play fetch. It also has some space where you can put treats to keep your Cockapoo entertained for hours.
What about heavy chewers that can destroy practically any toy? In this case, you have to opt for something that’s extremely tough and durable. The Goughnuts Tug MaXX is an awesome rubber tug toy that’s virtually indestructible. Thus, it’s the perfect solution if you want to play tug-of-war together and let him chew on it safely.
For puppy Cockapoos, it’s better to try different toys. It will help you understand what your dog enjoys the most. With this pack of 12 toys, you have everything you need to entertain your pup and have fun playing together!
Check out my top 15 toys for Cockapoos!
Outdoor Adventures.
My last idea is definitely my favorite solution to exercise your Cockapoo. If you and your dog love the great outdoors, why not bring him with you on your next adventure?
Hiking is an excellent way to do some physical activity, get fresh air, and spend quality time together.
Cockapoos are generally well-suited to climb and explore mountains. As long as you have the right gear and your dog is well-prepared, he can be the ultimate partner for adventures.
Thus, heading out on trails together can be an awesome way to provide him with proper exercise!
What About Mental Exercise For Cockapoo?
Proper mind enrichment and entertainment are as essential as physical activity to care for your dog’s well-being. Stimulating his brain will help alleviate boredom, get rid of excess energy, and make him feel better in general.
Mental exercise is even more important for intelligent breeds such as Cockapoos. But you may wonder how exactly you can engage with their minds?
Best Ways To Provide Cockapoos With Proper Mental Stimulation!
Daily walks, dog sports, and physical activity are minor sources of mental stimulation. Unfortunately, it’s generally not enough to keep them healthy and happy.
That’s why it is recommended to provide your Cockapoo with intended cognitive work. Training, brain games, and challenging toys are the most effective exercise ideas for mind enrichment.
Teaching your dog new commands or tricks is an excellent solution to keep him mentally stimulated. For fun cognitive work, you can also play hide-and-seek, the shell game, or any other activity with him that engages with his mind.
Another great way to keep your Cockapoo busy for hours is with interactive dog toys. The Kong Classic is an excellent example of an item that can stimulate him mentally.
Chewing and trying to get what’s stuffed in the toy can entertain your dog’s mind. For young Cockapoos, the Puppy Kong might be more appropriate for their size and to satisfy their teething pain.
If your dog is very food motivated, you can also make him work for his favorite treats or kibbles. The Snuffle Mat or the Nina Ottosson Brick Puzzle are two excellent ways to make the feeding time fun and challenging for your Cockapoo.
Treats dispensing toys such as the Bob-A-Lot is another efficient solution to keep him mentally and physically stimulated.
On the whole, there are many ways to provide your smart dog with proper mind enrichment. Without enough mental stimulation, he won’t be as healthy and happy as he could be. Thus, please don’t neglect this aspect of your Cockapoo’s exercise requirements!
Why Is Exercise So Important For Your Cockapoo?
Foremost, physical activity and cognitive work will improve your dog’s well-being and happiness. On the other hand, lack of exercise can also have negative consequences on his behavior and health.
If you don’t keep your Cockapoo satisfied mentally and physically, he’s more prone to suffer from boredom. This feeling of being wearied by dullness can lead him to develop destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking. In other words, he will find a way to entertain himself somehow if you don’t.
Exercise is also essential to care for your dog’s health. Without proper physical activity, he’s more likely to get overweight or develop medical problems. For his mental well-being and development, mind enrichment is also necessary.
Therefore, it’s your responsibility to spend his pent-up energy and stimulate his brain if you want to keep him in good shape!
Signs Your Cockapoo Needs More Physical Activity or Mental Stimulation!
Understanding if your dog needs more exercise is quite straightforward. Use common sense. Too much energy, excessive barking, or any other destructive behavior can be an obvious sign that your Cockapoo’s requirements aren’t satisfied.
Can You Over-Exercise Your Cockapoo?
If you are extremely active, you may wonder if it’s safe to exceed your dog’s exercise needs. Unfortunately, too much or too vigorous physical activity can actually be bad for him. Even with high-energy breeds, you still have to respect their limits.
Anything over 2 hours of exercise can be excessive for most Cockapoos. With puppies, you should not exceed 10 minutes per day for each month of age they have.
Signs Your Cockapoo Is Getting Too Much Exercise!
It’s also important to keep in mind that every dog has different conditions and requirements. Therefore, you should pay attention to notice signs of exhaustion. Then, you can adapt the amount of physical activity you provide to your Cockapoo if needed.
Short Term Signs:
- Confusion/Incoordination.
- Excessive panting.
- Exercise-induced collapse.
- Extreme thirst.
- Decreased energy.
- Trouble breathing.
- Trouble walking or standing.
- Drooling.
- Wobbliness
- Etc.
Long Term Symptoms:
- Sore muscles.
- Damaged paw pads.
- Joint injury.
- Behavioral changes.
- Etc.
Overall, you only have to find the right balance to exercise your dog properly. Too much or too little can both be harmful to him.
That’s why it’s so important to understand how much physical activity Cockapoos should get to stay healthy and happy.
Last Thoughts About How Much Exercise Does Your Cockapoo Need!
Finally, all dogs require some help to spend their energy and keep their minds stimulated. For an intelligent and lively companion such as your Cockapoo, it’s even more important. Thus, it’s your responsibility to know how much exercise he needs.
Anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes should be sufficient to keep your four-legged friend in good shape. Nonetheless, many elements can influence his requirements, including his age, physical conditions, energy level, and breeding.
Once you have figured out what your dog’s needs are, it’s time to meet them. Go out there and do anything you can to keep him active and busy. I would be more than happy to see you both working out at the park or heading out on trails.
Enjoy your Cockapoo’s company because it’s an excellent motivator to keep you accountable for your fitness and health goals!
Good Workout!
