Guide to Cavadore Service Retriever Training Techniques

Setting Your Puppy Up for Success from Day One

Cavadore Service Retrievers are bred for calm temperaments, intelligence, and emotional connection—but like any working dog, they don’t train themselves.

The good news? Their eagerness to please and intuitive nature makes them highly trainable, even for first-time handlers. With consistency, patience, and the right methods, your Cavadore can grow from a curious puppy into a reliable service or therapy dog.

Here’s a guide to the techniques I recommend when raising and training a Cavadore puppy for service work:

🏠 1. Focus on Foundation First: Early Socialization & Exposure

Start the moment you bring your puppy home. Socialization isn’t just about meeting people or other dogs—it’s about teaching your pup to feel safe and confident in the world.

Expose your Cavadore to:

• Household noises (vacuum, blender, doorbell)

• Different floor surfaces (carpet, tile, wood, grass)

• Gentle handling from various people

• Car rides, vet visits, and new environments

• Wheelchairs, walkers, carts, and other mobility aids

Tip: Keep these sessions short and positive. Pair new experiences with praise or treats. Confidence is key!

🎯 2. Reward-Based Training Is Non-Negotiable

Cavadores respond incredibly well to positive reinforcement. That means:

• Clicker training

• Marker words like "Yes!"

• Treats, toys, or affection for desired behaviors

Avoid harsh corrections. These dogs are sensitive and emotionally aware. Fear-based training will erode their confidence and relationship with you.

“Catch them being good” and reward those moments often.

👀 3. Focus Training Over Fancy Tricks

In the beginning, focus is more important than flair.

Work on:

• Name recognition

• Eye contact on cue (“Look at me”)

• Settling calmly on a mat

• Loose leash walking

• Reliable recall (coming when called)

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These are the building blocks for future public access training and service tasks.

🧘 4. Teach Impulse Control Early

Cavadore puppies are smart and affectionate, which can sometimes lead to excitement or clinginess. Teaching impulse control helps them develop calm, consistent behavior.

Practice:

• “Wait” at doors or before meals

• “Leave it” around food or distractions

• “Place” to settle on command

• Crate time to build independence and relaxation skills

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Don’t rush through this stage. Calm behavior now sets the tone for everything later.

🧠 5. Keep Sessions Short, Sweet, and Frequent

Puppies have short attention spans. Instead of one long training session, aim for:

• 5–10 minute sessions, 3–4 times per day

• Incorporate training into daily routines (feeding, walks, playtime)

• End sessions on a success

Use every moment as a chance to reinforce good behavior. Cavadore puppies love learning when it feels like a game!

🐕 6. Start Public Exposure with a Plan

Once your puppy has had vet clearance and early training foundations, begin gentle public outings—but don’t dive into loud, chaotic environments right away.

Start with:

• Small stores

• Quiet parks

• Outdoor cafes

• Vet clinics or groomers (just for exposure, not appointments)

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Use a “service dog in training” vest to signal your pup’s role. Keep treats handy and watch their stress signals closely.

Public access isn’t about perfection—it's about progress and confidence.

🛠️ 7. Introduce Service Skills the Smart Way

You don’t need to jump into task training right away—but once your puppy is confident, focused, and calm in public, you can begin shaping useful service behaviors.

Examples include:

• Deep pressure therapy (laying across lap or legs)

• Alerting to changes in emotion, anxiety, or behavior

• Interrupting repetitive or harmful behavior

• Retrieving items or nudging for attention

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Start small: reinforce natural behavior, then shape it into a task. Cavadores are incredibly intuitive and often offer support before you even ask.

❤️ 8. Build the Bond

Above all else, your relationship with your Cavadore is the foundation of your success.

Make time for:

• Play

• Gentle grooming

• Quiet cuddles

• Rest days with no pressure

Service work is demanding. Your dog can only give their best when they feel safe, loved, and connected.

✨ Final Thoughts

Training a Cavadore Service Retriever isn’t about cranking out obedience—it’s about raising a dog who trusts you enough to follow your lead, even in the chaos of the world. Their gentle nature and eager heart make them ideal partners—but it’s up to us to guide them there, one step at a time.

Looking for a more detailed puppy training plan? I can help with that too—or we can create a custom training roadmap for your goals.