Understanding Your Cockapoo Puppy’s Exercise, Sleep, and Enrichment Needs
How much exercise does your puppy need?
How much sleep do puppies need?
Safe toys for puppies
Brain games and calm activities
Puppy Exercise and Sleep Q&A
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Understanding Your Cockapoo Puppy’s Exercise, Sleep, and Enrichment Needs
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and heart-warming adventure. Known for their teddybear good looks and people-loving nature, Cockapoos form quick bonds with their families and thrive on companionship. The first few months can feel like a fluffy blur of cuddles, training and adapting to life together to create a new routine. One of the biggest questions new puppy owners have is: How much exercise, sleep, and stimulation does my puppy actually need?
Cockapoos are intelligent, people-focused, and often more emotionally sensitive than many breeds. Overexercising can affect developing joints, while too little mental stimulation or structure can lead to frustration, barking, or separation-related behaviours. Let's break down exactly what your puppy needs. Our expert vets put this together, so you're getting clear, trustworthy advice.
How much exercise does your puppy need?
Cockapoos are quick, enthusiastic puppies with what seems like boundless energy. It can be tempting to try to tire your puppy out with extra exercise. In reality, calm, confident, settled behaviour comes from a balanced routine, not exhaustion. This approach also protects young, developing joints and supports healthy growth.
The general rule of thumb is:
5 minutes of structured exercise per month of age, twice a day
So, for example,
2-month-old puppy → 10 minutes twice a day
6-month-old puppy → 30 minutes twice a day
“Structured exercise” means activities that encourage calm movement and focus, such as lead walks, short training sessions or gentle play with a sensible dog friend. It doesn’t include frantic garden laps, high-stakes parkour over the furniture, or extended zoomie sessions, which can be overstimulating and hard on growing bodies.
What type of exercise is best?
Short walks on soft ground
Sniffing and exploring
Light play in the garden
Training sessions (sit, paw, recall, loose-lead walking)
Supervised socialising with calm vaccinated dogs
Activities to delay
Cockapoos are enthusiastic puppies and will often insist they’re fine to keep going long past the point when they actually need a break. When overtired, their behaviour can escalate quickly, and subtle signals are easy to misread. They are more likely to show frustration-related behaviours such as barking excessively or nipping at these times.
Try to stay ahead of the game to support emotional regulation by delaying the more intense activities (such as long hikes) until they are more mature.
Don’t forget mental stimulation
Cockapoos are a mix of the Cocker Spaniel, one of the most enthusiastic working dog breeds, and the Poodle, one of the most intelligent dog breeds. It’s vital to work not just on their physical health but also on their minds to keep them stimulated and balanced. Mental enrichment is really important for puppies and is just as tiring as physical activity. Sniffing, searching, and problem-solving all activate your puppy’s brain.
A short sniff walk can be more rewarding than a long, fast-paced one. This works both their minds and their noses while offering low-impact exercise. It also allows them to catch up on the local doggy newsfeed, all through scent!
How much sleep do puppies need?
Many new owners worry that their puppy is sleeping too much. But actually, most behavioural problems start in puppies who are tired, overstimulated, and unable to settle.
Most puppies should sleep for 18–20 hours a day. This is essential. During sleep, puppies grow, learn, emotionally regulate, and develop immune defences.
Signs your puppy is overtired include:
Excessively frantic zoomies
Boundary pushing such as nipping or biting more than usual
Barking or whining without an obvious reason, often with a generous dose of the famous Cockapoo side eye
Many owners mistake overtiredness for excess energy. Often, the solution is not more exercise, but more rest.
Create a safe place for naps
Puppies need a quiet, calm space to relax and get their much-needed sleep. Placing a soft blanket or comfort item with familiar scents can help them settle.
Encourage frequent naps, especially after meals, training, or play. Puppies often sleep in short bursts. Using a pheromone diffuser can help them settle. Allowing them uninterrupted rest helps them grow into calmer, healthier adults.
Use this time to practice short periods of separation bit by bit, to encourage a healthy independence for your velcro Cockapoo pup.
Safe toys for puppies
Cockapoos steal and chew on everything - that's just how they explore. Make sure they have safe options. Provide toys that help soothe sore teeth, redirect unwanted chewing, and provide mental stimulation before your shoes and socks become targets.
Toy safety checklist
Choose toys that are:
Appropriate for your puppy’s size (large enough not to be swallowed)
Durable enough to withstand sharp Cockapoo puppy teeth
Made from puppy-safe materials and have no small detachable parts
Easy to clean
Avoid:
Toys that splinter or tear easily (e.g., sticks)
Toys with easily removable eyes or stuffing
Anything that can be swallowed whole
Hard antlers or bones that can damage young teeth
Ideal toy options for puppies
Rubber chew toys (e.g., puppy-strength Kongs)
Rope toys for tug (supervised only)
Textured teething toys
Rubber balls or rollers designed for gentle chewing
Rotate toys so things are kept novel and interesting. Without novelty, that clever Cockapoo brain will find its own entertainment, and you may not approve of their choices.
Brain games and calm activities
Cockapoo puppies need more than physical activity, they need mental stimulation and sensory experiences that help them understand their world. Here are some safe enrichment ideas to keep their brains and noses busy:
1. Sniffing games
“Hide and Treat” - hide some of their kibble or treats around the room and ask them to search for it. Sniffing is calming and mentally tiring.
2. Food puzzles
These encourage problem-solving and support healthy eating behaviour. Examples include treat-dispensing toys, lick mats, slow-feeder bowls and puppy-safe puzzle feeders. This also keeps things interesting for picky eaters who enjoy a game more than food itself.
3. Safe socialisation
Start slowly introducing your puppy to different situations. Get them comfortable with new people, friendly dogs, household sounds, and different places like the car, vet's office, or a quiet street.
Cockapoo puppies can become overwhelmed quickly, so give them time to adapt to each new thing at a time. Focus on positive and gentle exposure rather than overwhelming situations to help build their confidence.
4. Short training sessions
Cockapoos are highly intelligent, but lessons need to remain interesting to keep their busy minds on track. Teach your puppy simple cues like sit, down, and come. Keep things short and sweet, and remember an enthusiastic “yes” and a good cuddle can be as good a reward as a treat.
Finding the right routine
Puppies thrive on a balanced routine of:
Short sessions of age-appropriate exercise
Plenty of sleep and rest
Safe mental enrichment
Positive socialisation
Every Cockapoo is an individual. Some inherit more of the Cocker Spaniel's exuberant energy, while others lean towards the Poodle’s thoughtful, observant nature. Watch your puppy’s behaviour, adjust their routine when needed, and prioritise rest just as much as play.
Puppy Exercise and Sleep Q&A
Q: When can I take my Cockapoo puppy for a walk?
A: Most puppies can go for short walks 2 weeks after completing the first course of vaccinations, usually when they’re around 12 weeks old. However, in some cases, they may not be fully protected until later, depending on their breed and individual circumstances. Follow your vet's advice to keep your pup safe.
Q: Can I over-exercise my Cockapoo puppy?
A: Yes, and it's easier than you think. Too much exercise can damage growing bones and joints. Stick to age-appropriate activities and watch for signs your puppy is tired - like lying down or losing interest in play.
Q: How much exercise does my Cockapoo puppy need?
A: The right amount of exercise for your puppy depends on their breed, size and any other health issues. A general rule of thumb is 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day. Short, frequent play sessions work better than long walks at this age.
Join us next month as we discuss anxiety in puppies - the early signs to watch for, what can trigger it and practical ways to prevent it.
