How do you play with your coton de tulear in the apartment and outside?

by Linda
(Hamilton Ontario Canada)

My coton de tulear probably would like to play more, but I don't know what, with, or how to. My apt is small, so balls and chasing, which she really likes are not too exciting for her. She will play on the bed with me in the morning, will chase and retreive a treat or toy, loves her ball filled with treats to roll around with her nose and paws.


I just dont want to always be playing with her with treats. She does accept praise as a reward.
She does not seem to know how to play with anything outside, don't think she was ever taught. I am afraid I am not patient enough to keep at teaching her. I have attention deficit disorder, and teaching in small incriments drives me wild...

I will try dog park in the spring.
there are lots of other little dogs in the building so I might try play dates too....any other suggestions?

Comments for How do you play with your coton de tulear in the apartment and outside?

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Feb 25, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coton Play Time
by: Anne

We adopted our dog Molly and she didn't really know how to play - except chase - she absolutely loves to run and leaps off steps and over obstacles in her way. We are retired so we are home all day and even this did not inspire Molly to play.

We buy hard bones (or when I make beef stock) we save the bones for her. She loves these and it keeps her entertained because she chews on these for quite a while each day. We try to play ball -but she doesn't want to bring the ball back to us. We got a small frisbe but she didn't know what to do with that either. She also didn't know how to play with her kong and refused the peanut butter. When we adopted another fluffy white dog, Sandy, a Maltese, Molly's playful side came out amd she learned how to play with her kong and eat peanut butter! They love to run and play chase and play fighting.

Also, we took them to doggie day care and have subsequently signed up for the K9 Kennel Club (packages of visits). Day care promotes socialization with other dogs and they also learn to play by observation and, of course, with the trainer and the assistant dog watchers. This has been great. A little pricey but it does wonders for behavior, and it tires them out. They get exercise, play, and learn to behave.

Good luck with your Coton. They are interesting, intelligent, and wonderful companions. We adore our Molly. Sandy, our Maltese, is a cutie as well, however, she can be a little devil.

Also having the second dog has been fun for Molly - she is no longer an 9AM to 9PM couch potato.
Feb 23, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Animal training in & out of an apartment
by: Suzan Mesquite NV

I understand a little better about the issues your dog is having since you mentioned you got her from a breeder and she knew nothing else except the breeder

I got my 2nd Coton de Tulear Roxy from a breeder 3 months ago and thought since she's an adult dog there shouldn't be a problem and I had it all planned in my head how I thought things would be once I got Roxy home with me. The breeder said she was never on a leash before and when he told me I didn't think it would be a problem I'd take her outside to do her business since she knew to go to the bathroom outside.Things didn't go quite as I planned in my head and I was caught off guard and didn't expect the issues that I was going to have with Roxy. It wasn't really an issue it was something I just didn't expect. I didn't get a puppy because I didn't want to go through the puppy stage again as I did with my first dog cotton, I thought an adult dog was easier to train

When I tried to put the collar on roxy she wouldn't let me she ran away from me and finally I got the collar on and now I had to hook the leash to it which she resisted also but I got it on her and carried her outside to the grass to do her business. I thought she'll know that this was where she went to the bathroom but she wouldn't go she went in the house Z had pee pads down but she didnt use them. I was beside myself and overwhelmed by what was happening and thought I made a big mistake.

I realized it was going to take time to adjust to me and her new surroundings and I let her do it in her own time and when she is ready she'll let me know. We had to form a bond between us for the first week I didn't leave her alone and by the 2nd day of that week she was walking on a leash and when she went outside to the bathroom I praised her telling her what a good girl she was and hoped that she continued to go outside. It was a step at a time I didnt want to introduce her to too many new things or new people in the beginning it was me and her bonding. There were other issues but the bathroom issue was the big thing & once we past that it was smooth sailing. Each day she became more relaxed and secure. She was starting to eat her food she was doing great so far to adjusting to things. I showed her how to play with her toys and make them squeak. Slowly we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel And 3 months later she is doing great she has a wonderful personality loves her toys and likes to go for walks, what a difference in the dog I picked at the airport and the dog she is now. She's everything I wanted in a dog.
I don't know how long you've had your dog but it takes time and patience and let the dog do it in their own time don't throw too many new things at her .
I had to keep telling myself that Roxy came from a breeder its all she knew never had a toy and wasnt socialized with people.

Don't get discouraged show love and patience.
Good Luck Linda let us know how things go

Suzan
Mesquite NV
Feb 23, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coton play
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

A clicker will work at any age click, treat the clicker just catches the behavior immediatly to let them know they did it right. Start by clicking & treating 10 to 20 times to let them learn what the click stands for.

As far as tricks. U can teach & old dog new tricks. I would thou stick with ones that are easy on their physical ability. Sit, stay, down, touch, drop the ball, play dead(or bang),speak, ring bell, shake right, shake left, high 5. All of these can be taught while sitting on ur bed. With stay use command walk to ur kitchen or bathroom & back & if they have not moved reward. Start small 1st. 1 step away, 2 steps away, 3 steps away & each time walk back to them & reward for not moving. "Its Me Or The Dog" is Victoria's show on Animal Planet. Good luck.
Feb 23, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		good suggestions
by: Linda

forgot to mention that she turned 9 yesterday, and always lived w the breeder. Did not learn anything re tricks or fetch there I dont think.
The clicker I will follow up, and look for animal planet too. I will, actually and of course, take all the suggestions and try them.
thanks
Linda
Feb 23, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Susan wonderful input
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Thank u for ur response. I also agree w/exactly all u said about additions of pets in the family unit. It certainly is a big responsibility on decisions we make. I also agree with clicker training being a wonderful training tool. Ur Coton is very lucky to share their life with u.

I foster & it certainly pulls on my heart when I have my limit & I have to turn one away. I do want to say also when I talked of agility clubs & ur local obedience club that u do not have to have the expense of shows & titles. The classes are also designed to be just fun & a bonding experience bwt. you & your pet & other pet owners.

Also when I mentioned the 101 tricks book I did not download the picture of the book. I am assuming that this is a new feature that Gale has added to this website & I want to say I think it is great. Thank u Gale for all ur hard work on this site. Thank u for this site.


Feb 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Vicki & Jonah from AZ
by: Suzan Mesquite NV

I'd like to thank you for taking the time to write and say you enjoyed reading my story about playing in an apartment with coton de tulear.

I did a lot of research on the coton de tulear breed I read everything I could about the breed before I made the decision to get one. I read puppy books on different ways to train a puppy. I didn't want to get a puppy on an impulse and then regret it afterwards, I had to be sure I wanted to be a pet parent putting in the time and patience in raising a coton de tulear puppy for the rest of their life. Most important I had to figure out a budget and make sure I was able to afford the vet bills, feeding the dog etc...I didn't jump into this with blinders on I wanted to give my puppy a happy healthy life and not have regrets.

When I decided I was going to get a coton de tulear puppy & before I bought one I made sure to puppy proof my home & bought everything I would need for my puppy like a doggy bed, teething bone,toys baby gate etc... Instead of getting a crate I bought a baby's play pen it worked out well for my puppy there was lots of room to sleep and the puppy wouldn't feel caged in.

And now I am prepared for the most part and ready to bring my puppy to their forever home with me.

Sorry to ramble on about this but the reason I am is for those who are considering getting a puppy to know what it takes to raise one and be ready for everything and anything give a puppy the attention and the time,& patience so they become a happy loving well rounded dog leading into being a wonderful adult dog.

Too many dogs are bought on an impulse and then the owner regrets it and decides to give the dog to a shelter. It's sad for any dog who has no control over the person who adopts it and the what type of life will the dog have.
I can't express enough to those who are thinking of getting a puppy do your homework and make sure and have no regrets when getting a puppy.
Suzan Mesquite NV

Feb 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Friz-bee & ball
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I use 2-3 balls at a time usually the small ones & for inside I use the ones u get in the summer that are pool toy small balls that are soft. That way after they chase & grab the 1st one u show them the other ball in ur hand & most of the time they get so excited they run back with the 1st one in their mouth & u say yea, good dog like u are so excited u make a real big deal that if anyone saw u they would wonder if u were normal. :-)Then u should of already taught them the word drop then throw the next ball. The same applys for friz-bee & it does not have to be a long throw. If they catch in the air u really make a big deal out of the act. Again I used multiple friz-bees & I used the pool toy ones that are soft. Mine say splash bombs on them & I get them at Fry's grocery in the summer (seasonal item) for $2.00.

Jonah was 6 mo. when I started friz-bee & it took almost a yr. to teach him to catch it. It was not a natural act for him. Also I had never taught the trick before but if he even touch the friz-bee w/his nose I said good dog. Also I only got out these toys when we practiced.

About 6 mo. ago I found a book at Petco "101 Dog Tricks" by Kyra Sundance and Chalcy. It cost $18.99. In it is friz-bee, fetch etc. It has pictures & very good step by step instructions. I am 57 yrs. old & have had dogs all my life. I have numerous books on training & this was the 1st one I have purchased in over 20 some yrs. I stood at my Petco & read it for over an hr. before I bought it. It really makes trick teaching very simple compared to the old ways I learned.

In my single days when I lived in apartments I worked my dogs in Px. Field & Obedience (classes gets cheaper the longer u do it) & some agility.
I meets lots of people (cute guys) it got me out of the house. It was fun to do w/ my dogs & away from just working all the time. Sorry I rambled so much I hope some of this helped.
Feb 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		How to play w/coton de tulear
by: Suzan Mesquite NV

My dog roxy does what your dog does she fetches and takes it into her doggie bed instead of bringing it back to me. Have you heard of the clicker method? It when training a dog to learn commands such as sit/stay etc... When you train your dog to learn commands and they get it right you click the clicker and give the dog a treat every time they learn a command. When a dog hears the clicker sound they know they are going to get a treat when they hear that clicker.
You keep using this training method and it will come natural to the dog and will automatically sit or stay.You will be surprised how smart your little coton is because they love to please.

The cost of a clicker is around $3.00 dollars you can get it at walmart that's where I got mine. Go online to the animal planet website you will find great training tips. The animal planet has a trainer named victoria and she has great tips and has trained dogs who have terrible behavior problems and she gets these dogs to obey it's amazing how smart a dog is when trained right.

This is how I know about the clicker method I watched her a dog and a rooster by using the clicker method.

Be patient and good luck to you, Linda

Suzan
Mesquite NV
Feb 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		frizbee and bring back toys...etc
by: Linda

How did u teach the frizbee and the fetch and bring? she will fetch one thing, but doesnt care to bring it back! she comes with me all over the building and to friends in the building, she has a bed and a pee pad and treats at each place...I take her out 3x daily except if weather is really bad. she loves the cold and the snow [was born in denmark]
Feb 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Susan
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

what a wonderful piece u just wrote. Thank u for ur wonderful story. Luckily Jonah out grew the get the squeaky & stuffing out of the toys game. He also luvs to go to the mailbox for the mail every day. The mailbox is maybe 15' in front of the house but he listens for the mail man then comes to me wagging his tail & smiling to let me know it is mail call time. :-)
Feb 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Apartment Living for a Coton
by: Suzan

I also have ADD & I understand the emotions you have with concentration and patience to get through each day. However from my experience with training and playing with my coton is not as hard as you think. I have two coton de tulear Roxy & Cotton both are 3yr old females and have unique personality. My dog Cotton is a hyper playful dog always in the play mode. She haa lots of squeaking toys and loves to make them squeak so she can hear the noise it makes. She went through alot of squeaky toys being she squeaked so much the squeaker stopped squeaking. She kept herself busy and played by herself most of the time. But I did make time each day maybe 10/15 mins to play with her even my apartment wasn't big it didn't matter to her as long as I threw her toy so she can fetch and bring it back to me & after 10minutes she was tired. I also give her a Kong Toy where you put treats in it and she has to figure out how to get it out to eat it this keeps any dog busy for a while, or a nylon chew toy which helps fight plaque from teeth and massages the gums. There are various chew toys some better then others.

My other dog Roxy likes to play by herself she does like the squeak toys but she pulls the stuffing and squeaker out within 5 minutes & I had to trash each toy I got her.I stopped giving her stuffed toys. Realizing she likes to chew I now buy her rubber durable chew toys where she can't destroy as quickly.

Coton's are smart trainable dogs and can adapt to the lifestyle of their owner. However their owner needs to make time and have patience as you would for yourself. It doesn't take much to keep a Coton dog happy they will love you even more when you give them just a little bit of your love and attention. Get to know your Coton and their habits and what they like and don't like it will make it easy for any owner to know their pet. It's like having a human child.

Next time you walk to get your mail put a leash on your coton and take them with you they love to walk no matter how short or long the walk is. I did this everyday with my dog.
It takes so little to make your coton feel happy and loved.
They are wonderful companion dogs and have wonderful robust personality's and they will make you laugh and feel good.

I hope some of this helps you just give it time.
Good Luck!
Suzan
Mesquite NV

Feb 21, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Teach your coton some tricks.
by: Anonymous

You can always spend time with them just teaching them some new tricks, i.e., high five, high ten, roll over, take a bow, etc. They learn very quickly. Repetition is the secret and they love praise. You don't have to always give them a trick when they do good. That can sometimes lead to being overweight. My coton just loves to be highly praised with "good boy" etc. The just love to spend time with you. They don't always need to be running and chasing a ball.
Feb 21, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coton play
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Jonah only plays w/his toys every once in a while. I have taught him to catch a friz-bee & fetch the ball but he really does not bug me to play but will if I want.

We do go to the the park about 3 times a week but we walk every day. It does not have to be a long walk but he does luv to get out & sniff & walk. Jonah is very take it as it comes.

If ur puppy is happy & not getting into trouble he has fallen into ur life style which they are very good at. Having play dates is a good idea if their are folks u like to be around. So enjoy ur Coton he will help lead u in his needs. Most of all he needs u & enjoys just hanging with his BFF. They then are in heaven.

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