Are you interested in training your Cavoodle but unable to go to an obedience class? No problem! A number of basic commands are easy to teach with a little bit of patience and proper technique. The first and simplest command for a dog to learn is how to sit. This trick is an important stepping stone for learning other commands such as “lie down” and “stay.” Knowing how to sit will come in handy while at the vet, at grooming appointments, and when strangers approach who want to pet your dog.
To begin, move your dog to a quiet area free of distractions, such as a spare bedroom. Do not try and teach your dog any new command in a busy area or one that may be difficult to hold his attention, such as in the yard or kitchen. Also have a lot of high-value treats handy, ones that your dog will work vigilantly to receive. If the treats are large, be sure to break them into tiny bits, or use individual pieces of dry kibble.
The first step is to get your dog used to performing the action, without any command given. While holding a treat, place your hand approximately six inches above your dog’s head and move your hand straight out, away from your body, towards your dog’s tail. His eyes should follow your hand, which will naturally cause him to sit. The moment your dog’s butt hits the ground, immediately give an enthusiastic “Yes!” and give him the treat. You may have to tweak exactly what you do with your hand for each individual dog, but keep in mind that as a dog’s gaze moves backwards, he will inherently be forced to sit down. If your dog walks backwards instead, try holding your hand higher above his head, and move the treat up in the air while also moving it back towards his tail. Repeat this process until your dog reliably sits in response to this treat stimulus.
When your dog is ready, you can add in the verbal command “sit.” Before gesturing for the action, say “sit” and then immediately lure him into a sitting position with a treat. Over time, your dog will learn that you saying “sit” will lead to the lure, which will lead to him being given a treat.
When teaching your dog to sit, there are a few actions not to do. Never force your dog’s rear end to the ground, as this does not teach him the proper action, and can even lead to him expecting to only sit when forced. Also avoid continuing to repeat “sit” if he is not performing the proper action. Continually saying the command with no response can desensitize your dog and essentially makes the word “white noise.” Instead, take a step back from the situation and evaluate what you can do differently to engage him to the proper behavior.
As with all forms of dog training, timing is important. Never give the treat too early, or too late. Try to ensure you are always rewarding the instant your dog’s rear end hits the ground. Keep in mind that your dog’s attention span is short, so to avoid frustration for both you and your dog, always keep training sessions short and positive. The first time your dog gets a command right, give a lot of praise and extra treats. This reaction will keep him engaged, and will also teach him that when he listens to you, he will be rewarded.
For most new dog owner’s, cleaning the ears of the most recent addition to the family has most likely not even crossed their minds. However, cleaning a dog’s ears is one of the most important things you can do to prevent a whole range of health problems from taking root. 
Newborn puppies start receiving disease fighting antibodies straight from mother’s milk as soon as they are born but the advantage this provides to their immune system dissipates after the first few weeks. To help protect your puppy long after they have left their mother, vaccinations are needed. Puppy vaccinations are essentially modified strains of diseases used to stimulate the puppy’s immune system into producing its own antibodies.
Puppy vaccinations start early on in your puppy’s life as the first round is usually administered at 6 to 8 weeks of age. At this age the vaccinations are temporary in order to get the animal safely through this period of its life. Once the pup reaches 10 – 12 weeks they receive booster a shot to further stimulate their immune system, and then at 14 – 16 weeks they receive their final vaccination to usher them safely into their adult life. Booster shots are then required at 12 month or 24 month intervals for the remainder of a dog’s life, with many vets now recommending a slightly less stringent program of once every 3 years.
New puppies are going to leave little accidents around the place. It is inevitable and all part of the learning process so it’s important not to be too harsh on the little guy as he may not have yet gained full control of his bladder and bowel movements. Prepare yourself beforehand and keep the proper cleaning equipment within reach so when accidents do happen they cause minimal disruption and mess.
A puppy’s feeding schedule is an important part of their training. Regular meal times are a must as what goes in will eventually come out in a somewhat predictable time frame. Do not leave food out for your pup to feed on whenever they feel like it. Firstly, this will create a random toilet time that you will have no way of figuring out. And secondly, your pup needs to get to know you as the provider of food; which is an important part of designating you as pack leader.
Start a regular routine of taking your puppy to the designated toilet area. Immediately on waking, after they have finished eating or having a large drink, and after a bout of vigorous play. Do this every 45 minutes, and when they do manage to go correctly, get excited about it and reward the clever little thing. If they whine while in the crate by your bed, or while in the exercise pen immediately take them out to do their business. This routine should be adhered to for at least 3 months or until your puppy understands where the toilet is.
Housetraining a young puppy takes persistence, consistency, and patience. Never yell or hit a puppy who has had an accident as this will only be detrimental to your training efforts, and the mental health of your new little friend. Over time you will notice fewer and fewer accidents as your puppy learns the art of self-control over their bowel movements.