How to take care of Coton de Tulear dogs

GROOMING A COTON DE TULEAR

A cotons coat is a little different than other breeds in that it is long and fine. One of the amazing things about these companion dogs is that they have no body odor.

I appreciate the breeder that I bought my first coton from as one of the first things she did was demonstrate how to groom one. You require a water spray bottle and a double sided comb. One side has wider teeth than the other.

You spray the area to be groomed and comb through it with the wide tooth side. I use the finer teeth for the face, especially the eye area. It gets out those little dark bits that can accumulate from tearing.

Be sure to keep the hair fairly wet. This should be done every other day and only takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you do this, you only need to fully bath your coton 3 times a year tops. Make sure if you take your coton to a groomer that they know the proper way to groom a coton. I had a bad experience with a grooming establishment even when I told them to just do a bath and comb out. They cut my dogs face hair and it was a bichon frise cut. I was very disappointed and not allowed to show my male for at least 4 months until the hair grew back in.

CRATE TRAINING A COTON DE TULEAR

Step 1: Acquaint your puppy with his new home

Simply start from early puppyhood and have your puppy sleep and rest in his home. Almost without trying he will train himself to seek security and comfort inside his little "dog room".

Encourage your puppy to go into his home on his own. If necessary, toss a little treat in the home. DON'T FORCE HIM! He may quickly back out or be shy, but that's normal. Just take it slowly. At first, don't close the door on him, let him go in and out on his own.

Once he is happy and unafraid of his new home, simply restrain him at the door with your hand. Make him stay in the home for a few minutes, then gradually increase the time and be sure to praise him!

Once he is comfortable with this, (probably a few hours or days of short training sessions) simply restrain him at the door with the door-again praising him lavishly. Soon he will be secure in his home with the door closed. Slowly you can get further and further away from him, always praising his accepting behavior. Eventually, the pup will sit quietly and sleep in his home with the door closed.

Step 2:Direct his elimination

Understand that little puppies need to "go" about every 2-4 hours. On a schedule, (such as after feeding, before bedtime, first thing in morning) let your puppy out, teach him the route to the door, praise him at the door and take him out to the part of the yard you want him to use. Very quickly, you are teaching him an elimination schedule that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

As your puppy gets older (4-6 months) you can gradually leave him in his home for longer periods of time because he can "hold it" longer. Soon he can be home in his home all day, if necessary, until someone arrives to let him out.

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