Cavapoo mum

Not specifically a cavapoo, but I can offer some advice for dog ownership. When he chews, he isn't being naughty - it is likely a combination of not knowing he shouldn't, along with a compulsive need to chew because he is teething.

For climbing on furniture, there are two things you could try. Lure him off with a reward, while saying the word ”off”. Once he is hopping off quite reliably you can fade out the reward; sometimes using it, sometimes a 'good boy' and sometimes an ear rub.

The other thing is to teach him to lie in his bed or on a mat.


There really is no reason why he would find recall a problem - both poodles and CKCSs recall easily enough and you see plenty of them off lead. If you want advice on how to train that, please shout out.

 

Lot of your dog's behaviour is also down to his young age...he is still leaning the world around him and life at that age is just big exploration. If you want to teach him his boundaries, he will be capable to figuring it out. Some things might take bit longer than others for the penny to drop. But they won't learn without all of your guidance...you all have to work at it by keeping to the same constant rules.
The chewing might be easiest to tackle...by giving him something else to chew instead of the furniture by keeping a stash of long lasting natural chews..dried duck neck or lambs tails etc. different types of 'body parts'. As soon as he shows sign starting unwanted chewing...give him alternative thing to go for. Young dogs don't chew only for a need to relieve their teehing, it does stimulate their brain too...relief tension/boredom.
So on top of it by just chucking a chew on from of them...they need stimulation from playing (with some a lot of it) and their walks that not only work for their bodies but is essential for their brains. ..bored dogs often chew a lot.
And that brings you to handily to next thing...only give the chew he likes on the floor...direct him to chew there. If he is keen of chewing, use the chew as a treat to teach him to come off and stay off from furniture with the commands that Joanne mentioned.

 

Regarding the recall, at 6 months he is going to be getting more inquisitive. Even dogs that have shown good recall can have a temporary lapse as they approach adolescent and all the exciting distractions become a little more interesting than you. As you say, you don’t want him to become accustomed to ‘running off’ when he is off lead as this will only make training more difficult and he could quite easily get himself into trouble, especially with some dogs that are only too happy to put a young male in its place.
I recommend Pippa Mattinson’s book ‘Total Recall’. It guides you through recall training with lots of practical advice.

 

Is he chewing stuff when unattended? We prevented this by putting ours in a puppy pen when we were out, until he was 12 months old.