Coton de Tulear disobedience issues

by Dee
(Nassau County, NY)

Me and my Boy Spanky.

Ok, this site is extreemly valuable to me and I need your advise desperately as I think i may have spoiled our Coton de tulear, Spanky (could it be?)

We are having a few obedience issues. Still a very good dog (as he has been 100% housebroken since 4 months old - now almost 7 months), however he is challenging us and i think unfortunately he may be winning.

He has started to bark a lot. I would not say it's totally excessive, but he seems to be barking more than we would like to accept. It's usually when we are not paying attention (which believe me is seldom!) and then when we try to correct, he goes for our hands and or feet or clothing. Not an aggressive bite at all, but that teething nibble and grab.

We say no, and he starts to bark. We say no again and or go to pick him up (which im sure is so wrong) and then he runs about like a crazy dog, stoping and barking intermitttenly. Last night we just ignored him and after less than 5 min he stopped. But, he started again, just before bed, with the nibbling of my hands and as soon as I say No, the barking starts all over again.

I need to control the barking so we do not disturb the neighbors - that is a must in our complex. I am looking into obedience training but so far, it's expensive and we still have the neutering to do and pay for. He has been sooooooooooooooooooooo good with everything, without the assitance of a profesional trainer, that I just know with the right guidance I can train him myself.

What advise can you coton owners give (he is so affectionate, loving, loves people and k9's especially - the pulling on the leash has gotten better but we are still working on that).

Thank you all in advance for your input!

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Sep 16, 2011
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Pure Breed Parade
by: Dee

They are having a pet expo Sat and Sun this weekend at Tanner Park in Babylon, NY. On Sunday, you can join in on the pure breed parade.

http://www.horseandpetexpo.com/LI%20Pet%20Expo%20in%20the%20Park/documents/ParadeBreedsEntryForm_002.pdf

Sep 16, 2011
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To:Spanky & Dee
by: vh

Where do u live that u can have a pure breed parade? How fun.

After 3 yrs. of owning a CDT the 1st person I meet that has one lives here in Bellair, Glendale Az on the same street. It a new puppy & her family breeds them in New York. "So Weird"

I go to a small dog park by my house twice a week & so far have never run into another owner.

Ignoring them does work wonders when u are talking to another & they think they are involved in the conversation also. I turn my back on Jonah sometimes moving in a circle as he trys to steal my conversation.

How funny to find out it seems like a trait in alot of them. With my Silkys & maltese & poodle mix it never came up.

Sep 16, 2011
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Spanky my Angel
by: Dee

Hi Everyone. Thank you so much for all your stories and input. Spanky is doing very well, with the proper guidance and discipline. The best thing that works for us when he gets in this mood is ingoring him! We just walk away and leave the room and he stops. When it gets really bad (which is not often) we corret him and calm him down. it is mostly for play but sometimes its just not play time! Regardless, he is my little Angel and he is doing very well. We love him so (9 months on Sunday - we are walking him in a pure breed parade on Sunday too!) :-)

Sep 15, 2011
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To Deborah @ Coton Issues
by: vh

Well I think u hit the nail right on the head. LOL

Sep 15, 2011
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Coton "issues"
by: Deborah

You know, I hate to think this may be the root cause to some of the behaviour issues expressed herein....but; I am beginning to suspect that we, yes the owner/people/companion may, in fact, be the major problem w/these little imps!! They are almost too adorable. They are brilliant little dogs with personality and poise and yet they get to be, in some cases, loud barkers, nippers, etc...and yet we still make excuses for them...they maybe just too cute to take seriously when we think we are training/discipling...they were called "royal clowns" for nothing in Europe.....so, all of this is to say they are bright enough....why are we??? Kindly forgive me if can't see this as a possibility. We have two males and are fabulous AND spoiled!! Oh dear.

Sep 15, 2011
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"Quiet Please"
by: vh

I had looked into Cotons some 20 yrs ago when my maltese & poodle mix passed. They were even harder to find then. Well 3.5 yrs ago Jonah was born & I wake up every morning blessed he is mine.

It is so nice to browse this site. I smile in reading the diff. site info at the age groups & problems. My Jonah as gone thru all of these actions so far at diff. ages.

I agree 100% w/the blog that said they are barking for a reason. Wheather its food, water, fear etc. If I listen Jonah is telling me what is making him uneasy.

What a wonderful breed. Smart, funny, loving. Jonah is the best. Thou to be honest I have felt that way about every dog that i have had the pleasure to share my 58 yrs. with.

Every story I read on here reminds me of Jonah in one way or the other. I say be a positive trainer, laugh at ur mistakes & be kind & ur Coton will do the rest (very smart).

Sep 15, 2011
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"I Said Quiet"
by: vh

My neighbor used 2 play tether ball nightly w/ his daughter. So of course Jonah felt he needed to talk to them. I would go out & stand beside him w/treats & wait until 3 sec. of quiet. Treat & say quiet. It worked he no longer barks when any of the neighbors are out but the behavior increases just before it goes away. They are very smart but it took about a month since it was diff. noises of neighbors on 3 sides of us through the stone walls. He still will give a couple barks & I say thank u & it stops. So in the house try as he barks stand in front of him & wait for the 3 sec. quiet. 1Treat. U can also work clicker training in their. Work in the speak, speak, speak & then say quiet. Treat, this way they learn more of the concept of what quiet really means. If thou when outside w/the neighbor noise or when visitors come into ur house u notice they take the treat a little agressive w/the teeth, thats ok give a couple xtra treats. It is from being uncomfortable w/the intrusion of diff. situations & it will go away as they become more comfortable. Good luck I hope this helps.

Sep 13, 2011
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Barking
by: Anonymous

Our year and 1/2 Coton, Truffle barks excessively, when people are over to visit even if they move she barks at them, its really annoying.
We love her to pieces are are with her 24/7. We take her out for long walks and barks outdoor too. We think we has a bit of a nervousness that we just don't know how to control. There are times that she just will not sit or lay still when we take her to other peoples homes. She just goes on for hours and will not sit

Sep 13, 2011
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SweetRose
by: Iris Miller

Great advice SweetRose!

Jul 17, 2011
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Going to Bed
by: TerryB

We are having the same problems that everyone else is with their Coton's. At least we know Chloe is normal. We solved the problem of going to bed by crate training Chloe. We only let her nap on our bed. My husband always takes her out before bedtime and immediately gets her a treat for going potty before bed, she runs to be crate every night without fail, eats her treat and then lays down to go to sleep. Once in awhile if he forgets to turn off the light, she'll give him a bark, he returns to the room, turns of the light and she lays down and is quiet until morning. She will not make any noise until one of us gets up. These dogs are so intelligent, they just amaze me.

Jul 16, 2011
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BARKING
by: .KATHY

WELL, WHEN I GOT TRISCUIT AT 7 MONTHS, I DON'T THINK SHE BARKED AT ALL. THE ONLY TIMES SHE BARKS IS WHEN SHE IS OUTSIDE AND THE NEIGHBORS DOG IS OUT.ONCE IN AWHILE SHE WILL HEAR SOMETHING INSIDE, AND WILL DO HER LITTLE GROWL, THAT SOUNDS KINDA CUTE. WE ARE GOING TO SCHOOL IN A WEEK OR SO, SO WE WILL WORK ON SOME ISSUES.

Jul 15, 2011
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Training
by: BB and regina

Dee. If you want to reach out on Saturday evening or on Sunday email me directly. I will then send you my phone number and we can chat directly and I can fill you in on what we learn from bark busters. Email address is rbellisari@gmail.com

I also plan on telling all. Or maybe BB will write. He is a better writer then me.

Jul 15, 2011
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Barking issues
by: Anonymous

I, too, am looking forward to the comments on this issue. Our little pirate, Jolly Roger, is 11 weeks old and I'd like to know what to do BEFORE the problem arises. This breed of dogs is so intelligent; I cannot imagine not being able to change this behavior, at least to the point of it being tolerable! I'll be checking back here~

Jul 15, 2011
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1 day difference
by: Dee

What a difference a day makes! Back to basics! I think i was slacking a bit from the training being he was being so good, i laxed in consisistency. So i went back to the basics adding a few more things to our routine. 1) never let him walk in front of me on walks. 2) i walk out the door 1st, then invite him to join me (same with going inside). More corrections during our walk (which i made sure was longer than usual). I also invested in Bully sticks, which keeps him busy longer during the time I cant pay 100% attention to him. Also helps with bordem). We had an awesome night last nigt just from reinstating these things back into our routine. He only barked when he heard someone walking by and even then as soon as i said "its ok" he stopped. Reading the responces below, i have to say I am very lucky, b/c it was never as bad as some of the other Cotons mentioned below. Never barked longer than 5 min. But even so, just by not slacking off with the discipline, its already better! (we also decided it may be time to neuter him, another piece of advise from Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisper - we are making the apt today... yikes!) Thank you all for your replies!

Jul 14, 2011
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BARKING SPANKY
by: SHERRY-COTTON

BARKING SURE CAN BE VERY ANNOYING!! COTTON HAS NOT REALLY BEEN MUCH OF A BARKER UNTIL WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE DOING MAINTENANCE OR POOL CLEANING. ONLY WAY I CAN GET HER TO STOP IS TO WAD UP A MAGAZINE AND HIT THE FLOOR WITH IT. SHE WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP AND SIT DOWN. I DID THIS YEARS AGO WITH MY POODLE AND IT HAS ALWAYS WORKED.

SHE DOES HEAR ALL NOISES THAT SOMETIMES WE DO NOT AND SHE WILL GIVE HER LITTLE GROWL (WHICH WE LOVE) WE TELL HER GOOD GIRL AND THAT SHE HAS RUN OFF THE BAD GUYS, I KNOW SHE DOES NOT KNOW ENGLISH BUT SHE WILL QUIET DOWN.

GOOD LUCK WITH HIM, TRY AND WEAR HIM OUT WITH WALKS AND TRY THE MAGAZINE. HOPE IT WORKS FOR YOU!

Jul 14, 2011
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What your dog is saying when he barks
by: Iris Miller

Barking is a dog talking, he is needing something, afraid of something, warning you of something,He might be saying,
I want to go out doors to poop pee, do you know I can't turn the door knob?
Did you notice there is no fresh water in my bowl?
Did you forget to feed me?
I am wired, bored, stiff, will you please take me for a run, or a walk?
DID YOU HEAR THAT NOISE? Was it a car door slamming down the block? Did the water heater or the A.C. click on? Did you drop something? Is there a stranger out there?(go to the door with him and look, tell him nobody's there!
SHALL I GO ON? bark bark,
The only thing to do to stop the continual barking is to say no barking, stop! while they are barking,and then immediately praise when they obey, give a treat, and a walk. Make sure, your dog has plenty of fresh water, food, and exercise and some play time and loving, gently touch his throat and say Calm voice( with you low voice) praise him when he controls his urge to bark.
love,love, love.

Jul 14, 2011
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Training
by: Steve and Reign

BB was going to write today about how is so mischievous that on Saturday he has school. Seriously though we have decided to hire Bark Busters. Biggest issue is that when we walk on the leash and he sees another dog he goes bonkers. However in the dog park he is fine.

He also barks each and everytime he goes out on the deck which he insists on doing 25 times a night.

I will be happy to share the training advice with all. Mind as well get the most for my MONEY. It is expensive but the pet shop training did not work for this. They were great for sit, stay, wait but not for what is obviously Coton behavior. When we spoke to bark busters they said the biggest issue is that they have such strong personalities they think they are big.

Also the training must be done for 15 minutes a day until the behavior stops.

Will give you a recap by Sunday of what we learn. Until then, hang turf.

Jul 14, 2011
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barking Cotons....
by: Deborah

You know I forgot about one more trick to deter their attention when the barking begins...typically Finnegan and O'Reilly bark at other dogs going by the house... We got a tin ad put coins in it...and shake it when they start turning into barking bozos.....it stops them for a moment so we can gain attention.......now when they do this whilst outside...it is NOT fun!

Jul 14, 2011
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Ruff!
by: SweetRose

I'm new to the Coton world, but it seems like a trend in these discussions that Cotons begin barking more at 6-7 months. It is like all of a sudden they become hyper-aware of everything, especially changes in the environment. My dog barked for half an hour at the new kitchen garbage can! Silly me for not introducing her to it! :)

They are also so highly intelligent that it must be frustrating for them to figure out how to communicate with us. They are extremely responsive to us and I think they want the same kind of consideration. They are brilliant at non-verbal communication, but if we aren't in tune with them we can miss what they are saying, so they resort to barking.

For example, my dog won't start out by barking when she's hungry. She'll start by pacing near her food dish. If I don't notice, she'll nudge the dish or lick it. If I continue to miss her signals, then she'll bark to get my attention. She does the same thing when her favorite toy rolls under the couch out of reach or when there's a bug on the back porch that she wants to chase. I've learned to be more responsive to her non-verbal cues so that she doesn't have to resort to barking for everything.

As for the other behaviors, pants pulling and attacking heads, we should recognize that they want to play, but we should not encourage bratty behavior. A firm "No" with the palm of my hand facing her is enough to deter the pants pulling. Once she has regained composure, I can grab her favorite towel for tugging. (She actually hasn't pulled our pants for the last two months.) Likewise, it is always better to direct their agression to a dog toy than to let them chew on people.

Reading articles about "little dog syndrome" might help as well.

Jul 14, 2011
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Barking
by: Anonymous

I have used some bells.....big jingle bells.......shake them when they are wound up and barking.........gets their attention. Repeat it if they start again.

Jul 14, 2011
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attention barking/biting
by: Anonymous

Hi, I experienced a similar situation with my Coton who is now 3 years old. If your dog is barking to get your attention you must ignore it. I would recommend going into another room, like a bathroom, and shutting the door. Count to 20 and then come out. Everytime the dog continues to bark to gain your attention, you go in another room. Same thing if he tries to grab your pants, etc. Leave the room. Once the dog realizes that you go away when he does these things, he will soon learn to stop. I did those things and my dog is now 3 and never barks at me to get attention or tries to grab my pants anymore. It takes patience but if you are consistent, he will get it. Good luck!

Jul 14, 2011
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disobedience issues
by: Deborah

Well have you ever looked at the graph...thought it was on here about the major complaints/issues w/Cotons? BARKING! We have two Cotons (brothers) and joke the only one to change this behaviour is Ceaser Milan...the Dog Whisperer... And, you have already identified what picking him up reinforces more unpleasant/loud behaviour. Both of ours are male, territorial and barkers...and they encourage each other. The best we can do is go down the long acoustical hallway and make Finnegan go into his bed and say "stay"...which works until O'Reilly eggs him on for another round... Good luck...

Jul 14, 2011
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Sir Rudy
by: Anonymous

OMG..our little rudy is 9 mos..he's is your little angels long lost twin..he gets my gown..the ties on my cargo pants..and drags me to wherever he wants me..my husband hurt his foot back in oct..he has to sit to put his clothes on...he's learned..always get 2 pairs of briefs out..rudy usually drags me to the bedroom..because he wants us all on the bed..and oh course..he gets his way..he barks like crazy..instead of barking..i've taught him to talk..i talk to him..in a very low bark..he's learned to tells us off when we get on him..in doggie talk..i point my finger at him..NO bark..you talk..he stops barking and he always has to get the last word in..my husband was putting his pad back in his bed..he didn't want it there..BOY did rudy tell him..he talked all the way down the hall..with his head turned to the bed room..we're grandparents..so of course we think it's just the cutest thing ever..he can do no wrong..when down deep i know he's spoiled rotten..he starts that running wildly thru the house..then he stops and bites the air..gotta love them..coton's are the most like children than any other breeds i have seen..good luck..

Jul 14, 2011
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In this together!
by: Dee

Thank goodness someone out there is going through the same thing. I too think he'd doing it for play. Let's hope we get some good advise then we can keep tabs on how each other are doing. Good Luck Murphy, spanky say's whats up! LOL.

btw, spanky has a FB fan page... if your on FB, join his page!

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Spanky-AKA-Spankalitious/123107431104024

Jul 14, 2011
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Barking issues
by: Katherine

That sounds exactly like what Murphy does. I think he's trying to play and he only does the hand biting with my husband. Your night routine is exactly like Murphy. I'm worn out trying to catch him just to go to bed. Unfortunately, I don't have any advise for you. I'm hoping I can learn something through other comments on this post. Murphy does bark at any strange noise or someone coming to the door. There doesn't seem to be anything I can do. He did go to school and it helped with the potty training & leash, though. I hope we both can find some useful tips. Hugs to Spanky....I don't think we can spoil them too much :)

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