[Katie-sue]

Hello everyone,

I'm Kate, and my black female cockapoo Molly is now a little over 7 months, and is a wonderful - if challenging - companion. Such a bouncy loveable little dog with bundles of character. Due to illness in my teens I'm home a lot, and the house is so much more alive for having a dog in it. We (my grandmother and I) had never had a little dog before, always having had retrievers and labradors, but when we lost our last earlier this year we went to view a friends first litter of Cockapoos and fell in love. The mother (a Spaniel) had such a lovely disposition and was so good with the puppies who were all glossy, chubby little things that we couldn't not have her. Her father's a black Miniature Poodle.

She gets on well with our two cats - a kitten a few days younger than she is (from the same household the puppies came from) and our 13 year old cat. She learned pretty fast that the older cat rules the roost, and tears around the place with the kitten making more noise and mess than a tornado but loving every minute of it.

She's fully clean/dry now and has been for a month (she was very good even before that) and only goes out once overnight as a precaution.


Molly aged 4 months.

Album with more photos to be added when I find the camera memory card: http://picasaweb.google.com/100364414017789854480/Molly?feat=directlink

 

[kendal]

aww welcome molly is a wee cutie. how are you finding it going from the big retrevers to the little cockapoo.

 

[Jesarie]

Molly is adorable! I have had many dogs in my life, only big ones so when I got my Axle I was a little lost as far as having a small dog. But, he is a pure joy! Cockapoos are amazing little dogs! I hope you enjoy her as much as I enjoy my Axle. They keep you on your toes! SO watch out! lol

 

[Katie-sue]

Hi ladies, and thank you.

"Doggie down-sizing" has been easier than anticipated really, because though the breeds are very different they're all "people dogs" and like a lot of attention. The retrievers and labs were a lot more laid-back than Molly is; they would be happy to sleep as long as they knew we were around but she wakes up to follow me into the bathroom or to make a cup of tea. She even insists on laying next to the bath while I'm in it - though given half a chance I think she'd join me in the water! Comes to something when I have to use less bubblebath because otherwise a curious pup gets the bubbles up her nose!

We've certainly laughed an awful lot since we got Molly. Cockapoos are such lively and colourful characters aren't they? She has some very funny little ways, but has never displayed a single "bad" or aggressive trait, with people or animals. She made very good friends with our old tortoise. She is in her late 90s and had only ever walked into the house a hanful of times in two generations of owners here, but began doing so every couple of days this summer when she teamed up with Molly! They'd frequently be found together in the kitchen or lounge, which was almost unprecedented, though Molly liked to steal her bananas and lettuce from the garden and rip it to shreds, so maybe the tortoise was just trying to get it back!

She jumps up at people a lot at the moment - which I gather is common with the breed? - but if we can settle her a little bit I am hoping to undergo PAT dog training with her. We have many local hospitals, hospices and care homes and my family has a background in social care, so while I cannot work I would very much like to volunteer with her. I think she'd get a lot of stimulation and enjoyment from the socialisation and attention, and I know I would enjoy it. She's not old enough to consider it yet, and would need to be a little better behaved to pass the test, but it is definitely something I am hoping to consider.

 

[CutieCocoaCockapoo]

Welcome! Molly is really cute!!

 

[Jesarie]

Axle is the same way. He can be sound asleep and the second I move to make my night cop of tea he is right there with me. When I get up to use the bathroom he is right there with me sitting at the door waiting for me to come out. When I get up from eating dinner he is right there with me. It is so cute and I love it.

Axle does jump when he sees people he knows. He will jump at my mom and brother and of course myself and my husband. He does jump alot on his leash as well.

You are going to have so much fun with Molly. Cockapoos are such a joy. I plan on getting Axle a buddy within the next year or so and it will most def be another Cockapoo.

And again, welcome! I look forward to seeing more pictures!

 

[AndreaS]

My Ruby is a huge jumper also! A little tip from puppy training classes. When he/she jumps on you, turn your back to the dog and completely ignore it. When it stops jumping and all 4 paws are on the floor, then reward him/her. So far has worked with Ruby.... she's getting better

 

[Katie-sue]

Thanks, I'll try that Andrea! Molly responds really well to rewards, but doesn't do well when scolded, so people telling her to get down when she's jumping and using harsh tones doesn't work, but ignoring her and then rewarding might. She jumps at the back of peoples legs a lot but we'll get there eventually. You can tell her "no" a million times and it won't be a deterrent, but rewarding good behaviour usually means she picks it up pretty quickly. If told off she just sulks!

 

[Jesarie]

If I tell Axle no he just barks at me. He is like a kid, he does not want to be told no. lol He also responds GREAT to treats.

 

[Dave]

Welcome to the site Kate!

 

[Tressa]

Welcome Katie - you will find on here that many people experience the same sort of behaviours with their cockapoos, jumping and wanting to be close. It went a bit far the other day though when he would not go outside because of the rain, and then I found he had peed on the bathroom mat. Maybe he thinks thats where everybody else goes and so should he.

 

[witchie5]

my 18 week old puppy thinks everyone wants to stroke her and love her lol (people are drawn to her tho because shes so cute and pretty).she also responds well to treats and defo to the back turning and ignoring her .i was expecting an obediant doggy but she does seem to do what ever she likes.she isnt very good at coming back to me which we have been practising in the garden.we are still struggling with the toilet training but she is now pooping and weeing on walks and she does seemto have a set pattern to it .am i being to hard on her to expect her to wee outside when shes been out for and hour and then does it on the kitchen floor ? grrr anyway its def getting easier and ive given up not letting her on the sofa and have just put a little fluffy rug on there for her to snuggle up on

 

[Freddies Mum]

Hi, Molly is gorgeous! Yes, mine jump up too and I've not been successful in stopping them yet. But ignoring is the technique to use - you just need to be consistent and not completely soft like me lol!

 

[lhkim85]

Aw, Molly is beautiful!