Other products we recommend for your Coton de Tulear:
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Containment: Your puppy has been introduced to a plastic dog kennel so that they are comfortable being in one. I often keep it in their play area, once they learn to walk and they have learned to think of it as a den, or hideaway where they are safe. You will probably want to use a crate too, for night time or when you’re away, especially at first. If you are flying your puppy to you, I provide a plastic kennel with your flight kit, otherwise they are available at most pet stores. A blanket that smells like you can also be a comfort. I will send a small blanket along with you when you leave Gallant Farm that has been “scented” with mom and siblings to comfort your puppy during those first nights away, while he makes the transition from my home to yours.
I also recommend having a small pen or area set up for your puppy to exercise outside, although it’s not necessary. My favorite kind seems to be a black, fold up wire kind about 40” - 48" tall. It’s handy to use in the house, to block off certain areas, and easy to move around. They are available for about $60 online.
Potty: Many books have been written on this subject. It’s important, since no one wants accidents. Your puppy has been using a litter box (with puppy pads, litter or newspaper inside it) at my home since before he was weaned, and I recommend it, instead of puppy pads for one major reason-- puppy pads seem to confuse dogs and you may never have a safe rug again if you use them, since many dogs seem to think all rugs are puppy pads. A litter box is a little more unique, and plus, the scent control is better. I do often use puppy pads INSIDE the litter box, but the physical barrier seems to make all the difference in keeping my rugs unsoiled. I definitely recommend having one available to your puppy immediately when you arrive home, and always after that until you are sure he is totally housebroken. Also, if you start to see accidents, make the play area smaller until he remembers that the litterbox is where he goes to potty. Many people say that puppies are able to hold their bladders one hour for every month of life up until 6 months, so it’ll be awhile before they are ready to hold it too long. Frequent trips to the potty area (outside, or wherever you plan to have it) are good, and of course, the standard rule: when he goes potty—it’s a BIG, HAPPY deal. When he has an accident, it’s not a big deal.
Training: Cotons are VERY smart and trainable. You will get much further with a positive training method with these dogs, since they are sensitive and can get mad at you, even resentful or vengeful if you show anger toward them. I would recommend finding a good puppy obedience class. Not only does it help you learn to work with your dog, but it socializes them too, with other dogs and strangers, which is a GREAT thing for everyone. I sometimes use a small dog e collar for training. They are very effective and can certainly be used without being "cruel".
I find with Cotons, you don't actually need to use an electrical zap, just the "vibrate" function for "wrong", and the "tone" function for "reward" will work wonders. If you choose to use a very light zap, you can set it to the mildest setting first, and test it on yourself. It should not be cruel, not painful, and certainly not a punishment (when used correctly); it's simply an attention getter, and a way to say "yes good", or "no, wrong" without speaking (or at a distance yelling) out commands. Always start out training with the dog on a 30 ft leash, for safety until they understand what the e collar is telling them. Before using the collar, watch a few videos on youtube about how to train with one. You'll find it generally makes training much faster and more reliable than treat training.
Veterinary: Lastly, I will recommend finding a good vet, as soon as possible to make sure you start off on the right foot with your new puppy. He will need a puppy series right away, and to maintain good health with things like Flea and tick preventative (to prevent Lyme disease, etc), heart worm, deworming, and vaccinations. He will also need to be neutered by 6 months of age, per our agreement, unless other arrangements are made with me.
A helpful, lovely book if you plan to groom your own Coton de Tulear.
The lady who sells these is a very successful breeder in Denmark,
but the website is in English so not difficult to navigate.
Click here to buy the book!
The official American Coton Club Calendar.
The best Coton de Tulear calendar to be found!
Click here to buy
The best Coton de Tulear calendar to be found!
Click here to buy
Grooming products:
If you could only have one grooming tool, I would suggest a good comb. Combs are the most effective for getting down to the skin and removing loose hair to avoid tangles.
The best comb I have found for general combing out, a comb made of horn like this one, they come in all price ranges (no static!):
http://www.amazon.com/Static-Natural-Handmade-Horn-Comb/dp/B00ASHRF8K/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463963&sr=8-3-fkmr2&keywords=dog+horn+comb
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Standard groomers comb:
http://www.amazon.com/Andis-2-Inch-Steel-Grooming-65730/dp/B004UTDHP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382464229&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+comb
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Espana Shampoo & conditioner works better overall than anything else I have found. Available all over the internet, and at many local pet stores.
http://www.espanaproducts.com/products-dog-cat.php
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Best brush I have found for tangles:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Touch-Instant-Tangle-Remover/dp/B000HCJX2C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463916&sr=8-4&keywords=dog+dematting+tool
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Standard Pin brush, for quickie brushings (I use these occasionally just to fluff them up, but it’s not very effective for getting down to the skin):
http://www.amazon.com/Conair-Brush-Memory-Grip-Large/dp/B005KSOBDY/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463803&sr=8-15&keywords=dog+brush
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Dematting tool, in case of matting. Matting is avoided entirely if you make sure to comb all the way down to the skin to get the loosened hair out before it tangles at least every few days:
http://www.amazon.com/Safari-De-Matting-Comb-for-Dogs/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463893&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+dematting+tool
If you can comb your dog (down to the skin) every few days you will save yourself a lot of hassle with tangles. If you don’t like grooming, or you get behind a bit and end up with mats, you can have the groomer give your dog a puppy cut, schnauzer cut, etc. to make life easier. There are also many DVD's video instructing how to groom your dog properly yourself. It takes a few times to get confident with it, but overall can save a lot of money on groomers.
Well, that’s about everything I can think of, although I am happy to answer any other questions you may have at any time.
Favorite Online Stores
http://www.sitstay.com/
http://www.kingwholesale.com/
http://www.gwlittle.com/
http://www.puppiaus.com/Puppiaus/Home.asp
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/
https://www.petedge.com
https://www.cotonsalon.com/
If you could only have one grooming tool, I would suggest a good comb. Combs are the most effective for getting down to the skin and removing loose hair to avoid tangles.
The best comb I have found for general combing out, a comb made of horn like this one, they come in all price ranges (no static!):
http://www.amazon.com/Static-Natural-Handmade-Horn-Comb/dp/B00ASHRF8K/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463963&sr=8-3-fkmr2&keywords=dog+horn+comb
***********************************************************************************
Standard groomers comb:
http://www.amazon.com/Andis-2-Inch-Steel-Grooming-65730/dp/B004UTDHP2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382464229&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+comb
***********************************************************************************
Espana Shampoo & conditioner works better overall than anything else I have found. Available all over the internet, and at many local pet stores.
http://www.espanaproducts.com/products-dog-cat.php
***********************************************************************************
Best brush I have found for tangles:
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Touch-Instant-Tangle-Remover/dp/B000HCJX2C/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463916&sr=8-4&keywords=dog+dematting+tool
***********************************************************************************
Standard Pin brush, for quickie brushings (I use these occasionally just to fluff them up, but it’s not very effective for getting down to the skin):
http://www.amazon.com/Conair-Brush-Memory-Grip-Large/dp/B005KSOBDY/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463803&sr=8-15&keywords=dog+brush
***********************************************************************************
Dematting tool, in case of matting. Matting is avoided entirely if you make sure to comb all the way down to the skin to get the loosened hair out before it tangles at least every few days:
http://www.amazon.com/Safari-De-Matting-Comb-for-Dogs/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382463893&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+dematting+tool
If you can comb your dog (down to the skin) every few days you will save yourself a lot of hassle with tangles. If you don’t like grooming, or you get behind a bit and end up with mats, you can have the groomer give your dog a puppy cut, schnauzer cut, etc. to make life easier. There are also many DVD's video instructing how to groom your dog properly yourself. It takes a few times to get confident with it, but overall can save a lot of money on groomers.
Well, that’s about everything I can think of, although I am happy to answer any other questions you may have at any time.
Favorite Online Stores
http://www.sitstay.com/
http://www.kingwholesale.com/
http://www.gwlittle.com/
http://www.puppiaus.com/Puppiaus/Home.asp
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/
https://www.petedge.com
https://www.cotonsalon.com/
My dog doesn't Look white, even after a bath. What can I use to make him gleaming white?
Sometimes regular shampoos just don't cut it. This is when you use a whitening shampoo, or Orvus. A lot of whitening shampoo treatments are a little bit harder on their coat, so generally should not be used more than necessary to keep them looking nice. I have tried every possible whitening shampoo out there, and have had mixed results. Some are stinky, some leave residue, some just don't work. The best results I've gotten are using the following process:
1) Rinse to wet hair thoroughly. Apply Orvus on entire dog. I usually use 1/4 to 1/2 C on the dog, and also put the same amount into a couple inches of water the dog stands in while bathing. Make sure to get Orvus worked into paw hair that may be extra stained. You can use a toothbrush to carefully get the undereye area, but dont get it in their eyes. Let Orvus sit on dog for 5-10 minutes.
2) Rinse thoroughly
3) Apply dog shampoo, my favorite kind is Espana Silk Shampoo, but I often choose puppy shampoos, or medicated shampoos as well. Lather and rinse thoroughly.
4) Blot dog dry, dont scrub (that causes snarling). And blow dry or air dry as usual. If you get a decent quality high velocity dog dryer, their hair will dry much faster and make things less tedious all around. Initially, they act somewhat frightened about blow dryers, but as time goes on, they accept them fully. Never blow into the eyes. nose or ears. I usually just get the neck good and dry, then do a tiny bit on the top of their head so the hair there is fluffed up.
1) Rinse to wet hair thoroughly. Apply Orvus on entire dog. I usually use 1/4 to 1/2 C on the dog, and also put the same amount into a couple inches of water the dog stands in while bathing. Make sure to get Orvus worked into paw hair that may be extra stained. You can use a toothbrush to carefully get the undereye area, but dont get it in their eyes. Let Orvus sit on dog for 5-10 minutes.
2) Rinse thoroughly
3) Apply dog shampoo, my favorite kind is Espana Silk Shampoo, but I often choose puppy shampoos, or medicated shampoos as well. Lather and rinse thoroughly.
4) Blot dog dry, dont scrub (that causes snarling). And blow dry or air dry as usual. If you get a decent quality high velocity dog dryer, their hair will dry much faster and make things less tedious all around. Initially, they act somewhat frightened about blow dryers, but as time goes on, they accept them fully. Never blow into the eyes. nose or ears. I usually just get the neck good and dry, then do a tiny bit on the top of their head so the hair there is fluffed up.
Question 1
