Does your Coton like to be brushed?

by Nicki
(Ohio)

Della will not hold still for more than 4 minutes at a time for brushing. I read online this is supposed to be a great bonding time between owner and puppy but she seems to hate it.

I have all the best brushes and grooming tools but she just doesn't like the brushing sensation. For this reason we have had to keep her short because her mats get out of control without proper brushing.

I was just wondering if anyone else has a problem with brushing/grooming their Coton.

Comments for Does your Coton like to be brushed?

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Nov 19, 2012
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Della is a beautiful dog, she deserves to have a long coat
by: Lana

Della is a gorgeous girl, I am so sorry you had no choice but to shave her so short. If there is a way for you to trim with scissors you should consider it.
I am trying to keep my Cotons in full coat & I do it all by myself at home. No special equipment, very small bathroom indeed.
I made this decision after a few unfortunate & expensive grooming appointments. I am glad I did.
Like every dog my dogs are not always in a mood for brushing. But I try to be creative & put myself in their shoes so to speak. They say brushing Coton is very relaxing I fund it to be very true. But first you have to learn how to do it right, so your dog does not get upset or stressed about it.
Try to find a reason why Della would not stay still. Most of the time it's a previous grooming experience that she did not like or …maybe she has an active personality and it is difficult for her to stay still. My niece is like that, she would not stay still unless you grab her attention with something fascinating or interesting enough for her age.
Dogs are like that too. From my experience I know that treats work, the question is what is the best treat for your dog? You have to find out – it’s your first assignment – what Della would go crazy for? My dogs would give anything to have a small piece of soft cottage cheese or a small piece of ZiwiPeak Lamb treats. Try it! The key is to make Della feel happy instantly.
Secondly, like children – some dogs have short attention spend – it's normal for a young dog. You should take advantage of 5 minute grooming, tomorrow make it 6 min…
Now when Della has a short coat, you should brush her with wooden brush only, making every minute of it FUN. Short sessions! Best treats! Takes time, do it when she is in a good mood. Use the flat side of the wooden brush to make her feel good. Praise her to being good!
I kiss my dogs a lot during grooming because I see that it does change their mood & they basically relax after a while, I also praise them like crazy every 5 minutes, & if they are patient I give a small treat. When I see that their patience is running out I thank, give one more treat. Believe me they understand what you feel & most Cotons are proud to make you happy. Grooming sessions must be short at the beginning.
If your dog does not like brushes or afraid – wooden brush will work.
Chris Christensen wooden oblong brush works for many frighten dogs & small puppies who does not like to be brushed. Try it.
It takes time for some dogs to developed trust for brushes & takes time to developed patience. Do it 5 min at a time if you must, & find a brush that Della would approve of.
Do not give up & let me know if I can help.

Lana, Gio & Natasha

Aug 12, 2012
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does your dog like his hair brushed? No!
by: Iris Miller

Tuffy does not like the wire brushes, and I don't blame him. I stuck my fingers ith those wire prongs under the finger nails more than once while brushing him, it felt like a needle and hurt like heck.
I use the steel comb, and the short wire brush, but hold my hand between his body and the comb or brush and only do a few portions at a time, never digging it down to the skin.Tuffy is very sensitive. I don't pull hard on the matting, I carefully hold it away from his body and cut it out, usually leaving just a little near the skin that comes out with the combing because the top of the knot has been cut off., I will also separate some matts with my finger nails then get them out with the narrow tines of hiss comb. Tuffy has been shaved three times by groomers in his four years,it was very traumatic and I have been home grooming him for the last two years and keeping him short in summer and puppy cut in winter. He is a good boy. I groom him in increments and he is very tolerant, but pants like he's in a race, anxious to be done with it.

Aug 10, 2012
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GROOMING
by: Moonpie

Bill is a funny guy. When we first got him he fought me. Depends on his mood and how much he needs brushing as to whether he is cooperative. He seems of feel better afterwards either way. He does tolerate it now because he knows he gets a treat at the end. When I am finished he runs to the biscuit jar before I can even get up!
One thing I have found that helps is to do it slowly and gently and stop and pet every little bit. Then it becomes time together and attention.

Aug 10, 2012
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Brushing
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I will not say Jonah luvs it but he is very good about it. As a pup I used plenty of treats & now it is a minimum amount. I will say if u do not do it daily u ask for mats. When it is bath time I do comb before, after while wet, even before the hair dryer. By daily brushing u cut down on baths.

I do trim him myself such as bangs, some all around, hair feathered in corner of eyes to help keep them clean, hair on bottom of feet which includes between the pads & of course nails. I do thou take every Wed trim the tip of the nails so for me it keeps it easier to keep them at a good length.

When we go through bath time it is usually a three day job so as not to have him tolerate all in 1 day or myself. All I can say is as a pup keep brush time fun. Yes the puppy coat was like I was going crazy daily wondering where all the cotton balls appeared from. I wish I could tell u it gets better but all I can say is it gets a little better if u keep a long coat. It does take daily brushing. Good luck.

Aug 10, 2012
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Thanks for the information
by: Nicki and Della

Actually I never liked the idea of brushing her with wooden pins I felt they would be somewhat ineffective. The more I read about it though the more I realize it is something to try. I currently have a green mat brush that she doesn't mind as much as the other grooming tools and a double sided grooming brush. I think the main issue is she is just hyper and doesn't like to sit still for long periods of time.

Aug 10, 2012
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BRUSHING
by: KATHY FROM PA

TRISCUIT LOVES TO BE BATHED AND BRUSHED, ALSO SHE LIKES THE HAIRDRYER. I BATH HER IN THE DOUBLE SINK IN THE KITCHEN..SHE PUTS HER FRONT PAWS ON THE MIDDLE PART, THEN WHEN I TURN HER, SHE WILL PUT FRON LEGS ON WINDOW SILL AND LOOK OUT DOORS WHILE I GET THE OTHER SIDE OF HER.
WHEN BATH IS DONE, WE GO INTO BATHROOM AND I TOWEL DRY HER AS MUCH AS I CAN THEN PUT THE DRYER ON FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND SHE SITS RIGHT THERE LOVING IT. USUALLY WHEN I BRUSH HER SHE IS ON MY LAP, SHE LOVES THAT TOO. WHEN I BRUSH HER FRONT LEGS, SHE LOOKS RIGHT INTO MY EYES WHICH IS JUST TOO ADORABLE... SHE CAN ACTUALLY FALL ASLEEP WHEN I BRUSH HER TAIL OUT. WHAT A GIRL. SHE HAS ALWAYS LOVED TO BE GROOMED. NOW IF I CAN GET HER TO STOP BARKING AND TRYING TO NIP PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME IN.

Aug 10, 2012
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hates being brushed
by: sherry-cotton-candie

I know exactly what you are going thru. I fought with my girl for weeks trying to keep her groomed. The groomer I took her to said she had to quit working on her because she got so upset and stressed out. Thankfully she was considerate enough to realize this. She was their over 3 hours and they could only do a nail trim, pad hair trimmed and partially around her eyes.

When her puppy hair started falling out it became worse, I had to have her shaved which I did not like. (still do not know how they did that). At a dog show I talked with a lady and bought a Chris Christensen green brush, that along with buying her a special toy has made all the difference. As i have posted before, each morning she will talk to me, I get her favorite toy (she only gets this while being brushed) she chews and I brush. -- Once the puppy hair is all gone it only takes maybe 8-10 minutes to get thru her and she is mat free with a long coat.

I could not believe the difference this brush made, you say you have good brushes, do you have one of Christensens? They are pricey but I had spent so much buying different brushes that it turned out to be a bargain.

Good luck and try getting her a special toy, (I found treats did not work for Cotton) Hers is a pacifier on one end, with a ring in the middle then a bone at the other end. She loves it! She will eventually start pulling off pieces so we keep buying new ones but for $8, it is well worth it. Hope this might help you. Do not give up, she will calm down and it is such a special time to bond.

Aug 10, 2012
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Brushing my Coton
by: Sandy

My Coton does not like to be brushed either. We have tried keeping his fur long, but it just mats and then we have to shave him and let it grown out. Now we just keep him short like your picture

Aug 10, 2012
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Brushing
by: Anne, Glenmoore PA

When we first adopted our coton, Molly, she loved being brushed. Now, not so much. Now, she tolerates only so much before she defiantly gets up and walks away. Her hair is very thick and wavy on her body - otherwise her hair is straight. We keep her hair shorter because of this.

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