Has timidity become an inherent characteristic in certain of the Coton breeding lines? I

by Kiki
(California)

I bought a COTON from a Breeder who was 4 months old. He was shy to begin with but I thought with socialization he would become less shy. He still at 8 months is shy basically and mostly backs away from people if they go to pet him. And is skiddish with many usual circumstances.

He loves me only and acts like a sweet, happy puppy with me. But ONLY me.

I am allowed to breed this puppy but I am wondering if this type of "timidity"
will carry thru to the next generation? Also does anyone have any advice about reducing timidity? TY

Comments for Has timidity become an inherent characteristic in certain of the Coton breeding lines? I

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Jan 20, 2014
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puppyhood NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

PS Their is no such thing as an inherited trait of timid or skidish.

This is a learned behavior. U will make mistakes in training we all do. Dogs r so forgiving. Positive training technique. If you think they need a smack then you need to back away & wait until your fresh.

Their is a thing called time out thou where u feel they need to lay on pillow & stay. Teach it, but you do not use a crate as punishment it is used as a safe place while gone so they do not hurt themself or safety of sleeping at night if they tend to get into mischief while u sleep.

Always remember if they don't learn how much fun it is to destroy a pillow then it doesn't follow into teen age yrs. Pretty much by 1-1.5 yrs chewing goes away unless they have learned how much fun it is.

If they learn while young what their allowed & not allowed to do by keeping an eye on them it makes a well behaved adult.

Jan 20, 2014
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timid NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

When a puppy the best thing u can do is pick up shoes, basket etc anything the would chew on.

Out of site out of mind. Once thru this stage u can put ur stuff back down & leave shoes slippers around & they won't bother them since they don't know how much fun it was to chew up.

Bitter Apple u can buy to put on wood so as not to chew but u should be crate training them now so your house looks the same as u left it & u don't come home becoming mad at what u found.

When home remember out of site in trouble just like a kid. If u here quiet or they have disappears go find or call them. In site at all times.

#1 people r not suppose to b leaning over them w/that intimidating hand comes toward them to pat their head. U greet & socialize the dog by going down to their level & scratching under their chin.

In case of an older person who cannot do that they should still reach under the chin to scratch.

Picture your self looking up to a giant & all of a sudden u see this big hand coming toward you. What reaction would u have.

Puppyhood is a scary time. They r hearing noises for the 1st time & strangers. Puppys need to b socialized to all of this. If your afraid of a bus noise so will ur dog. They pick it up from u.

When on a walk & let's say a loud truck goes by the dog will react to it. Don't say it's ok you r telling them its ok to b scared. Just move on as if it was nothing, bcause it was nothing just a noise in the world we all get used to.

While small they won't chase bikes or cars then one day they see them & they start to chase. Normal u teach them to not chase. It could save their life one day.

It sounds like their is nothing wrong w/your dog except growing up & learning the world & you r the teacher for a well rounded knowledge of the world inside the house & out that develops them into who the become as an adult. Good luck

Jan 20, 2014
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timidity continued NEW
by: kiki

TY for your words of advice. He is gnawing away at everything...antique chairs, shoes, baskets, table legs...I am giving him "pet store" alternatives and large, hard bones.
He is often in social settings w people and other dogs. His habit is to back away from the human hand even if the person gently allows him to sniff the hand and is quite and soft. Even if he knows the person for the most part he will come with his tail wagging apparently happy to see the peson and the second they go to pet him...he backs up.
I am hoping that he becomes more outwardly social and less fearful as time goes on.
He is a sweet, docile dog in other ways and loves to run around the house and the yard with one of my cats.
I wonder what percent of Coton's have this trait.

Jan 19, 2014
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shy NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

U know he's only 8 months old. Most ppl as I go on the theory until a dog is 3 they r really not grown up. Most dogs will start off timid & socialization is an ongoing life style. They learn to walk when a noisy bus goes by, walk past dogs etc. Then at approx 1.5 they sow their oats & start to bark at ppl & dogs as they go by that you will need to over come this w/them.

At 8 months ur pup is still a baby & no where near what he will become as and adult. He still is in the mode to chew shoes, cords if not watched or picked up. From 0-3 they go through so many personality changes as they grow up. Timid, bold, aggressive, shy & you learn to cultivate ur preference of behavior that is acceptable & correct when they test the water just as any child does.

Just sayin

Jan 18, 2014
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TIMID PUP NEW
by: kiki

Thank you for your comments. This pup (8months now) is a timid and scares easily. I had a "rescued" Coton for 16 years prior to this pup. And that dog was PERFECT in everyway. Everyone loved her. This pup shys away and sits away from people. He is constantly being socialized with people and other dogs. But there is very little success with changing him. It is a shame. I noticed at the Breeders that The Father of this pup seemed reluctant to socialize. But you could pet him without his running away. I had the feeling though that the Father would rather not be petted...he did not warm up to being petted. My pup LOVES me and acts like a sweet puppy when he is with me only. I want a sweet, friendly puppy who likes everyone.
I wonder if I were to mate him with a more gregarious and sweet female what the chances of timidity are in the offspring?

Jan 18, 2014
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traits NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

Now diff then Tuffy Jonah is not territorial. He Wii let LG or Sm dogs come up on leash or off & they greet ea other. Now I am very careful if I let this happen since many ppl say My dogs ok.

Also Jonah does not mark territory in house even when friends dogs stay here which 1 of his does in my house. Friends brings their dogs over all the time.

I did not have Jonah fixed until 1.5 yrs. I waited for him to grow into his hormones & then waited until July our hottest month because u don't care if your stuck inside since AZ is hot then.

Just sayin as in any breed they all r diff yet the same. Some believe it depends on month born like horoscopes. (-:)

Jan 18, 2014
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Coton traits NEW
by: Iris

I had to laugh at the similarities I read here about each different Coton, because my Coton has a lot of the same behaviors, family attachment, actually he thinks many humans belong in his personal pack,and also barks and growls at anyone who tries to leave the house or his space if he's already decided you belong with him. Tuffy was neutered at four months old but still has the strong male tendencies.*his "mate" is a stuffed hedgehog he absconded with at the pet supply store, he picked her right off the wall and ran for the door with her in his mouth!)He is a very territorial guy, and most dogs appear to him as a threat where ever we go.He will lunge at them, or mark his territory and stand his ground barking. All this while he's on the leash. If I let him go, as I have in the past, he become very wary and timid, so I assume on leash he is protecting me and his territory. When I got Tuffy he was tiny. Tuffy was raised until 6 weeks old with the Breeders four little girls, so he's still now at age 6 crazy about kids, I took him to puppy training beginner and advanced at about 6 months. There were several different breeds of puppy in the class,many of them very large, and others were feisty biters. Tuffy was terrified of all of them and cowered under the stool I sat in when they had free play. The only dog he ever truly loved was a female poodle mix who was "an older woman"about four years older than him, the neighbors daughter's dog. When she came to visit, Tuffy ran around with her and followed her around like a lovesick pup. They moved away, then soon after we also moved.I wish I could afford a girlfriend for him, but the grooming alone is more than I can manage(since he's terrified of groomers, I do it myself now). I just want to say to the new puppy owners, our dogs may be similar in some ways, but like us, they each have a personality of their own. one thing every dog gives is unconditonal love for the loving care they receive from you.

Jan 17, 2014
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companion dogs NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah

Coton' s r in the companion group that's the way they r. Now Jonah barks when ppl leave. He hates ppl to leave. We go to the dog park all the time & he does his own thing. He not a big player w/dogs but will go up to ppl & kids gently.

A Coton breed will stay w/their ppl. They do not care to run away. Their very easy to train to stay by your side. It's the Maltese in then. They r smart & easy to train.

They get along w/all dogs, kids ppl & r not aggressive. That's the breed.

Years ago they were shown in the gun group. U will find that firework, storms do not bother them. They'll lay outside during a storm if u let them.

When there's a storm take a fabric sheet & rub on there coat it keeps the electricity from their Cotton fur.

Sometimes I wish I had not had Jonah fixed I didn't have to. But then I know I will leave the breed in the hand of breeders & hope we Americans don't screw it up.

One thing to keep up to date on is brushing their teeth. Maltese breed is famous for bad teeth so keep an eye.

It sounds like your Coton is just fine. Jonah will not take treats from other ppl.I'm not talking about family ppl but even at the dog park ppl he has known for years he is now 6. I never taught him that but he just doesn't. It just who they r.

Enjoy your Coton & much luck on your baby puppies when they come. They r a wonderful breed.

Jan 17, 2014
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Cotons Being timid NEW
by: Crystal

My Logan is the same way! He's totally bonded to me and follows me everywhere! He barks at my boyfriend every day when he walks through the door. He tries to play with Logan, but Logan is not interested. My boyfriend takes it personal and I continue to tell him it's not him, it's just the way Logan is. I also have a Havenese the same age as Logan and they play and chase one another all day. I'm a stay at home doggy mom, so it's just me and the dogs during the day. I think more socializing may help some.

Jan 17, 2014
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Socialization NEW
by: Judy

I must have the exception to the rule. My Lola won't let me out of her sight, but loves the attention from anyone she meets. I got her at about 11wks. My sons dog was here for a while, a Samoyed, and they played all day. She also Has 2 ShitZues next door that she plays with. Was your dog family raised? Lola was and that may make a difference
Good luck keep trying to socialize her is all I can think of

Jan 17, 2014
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Moriarty NEW
by: Mitchell

Moriarty is the same way. It is definitely a characteristic of the breed. I am not sure it can be breed out.

It all comes down to socialization. It's best if other dogs are around from the dog aspect and people around for the people issue.

But this breed is just like that. They bond and they usually bond with one person. Moriarty is my shadow. He will not play fetch with others. He doesn't play very much with other dogs. He is scared when there are noises that he is not familiar with. He even got scared of his rear end the first time he farted loud enough that he heard. He walked around for 10 minutes and kept looking back at his butt trying to figure out what happened!

The best advice I can give is take him to dog parks and let him meet lots of other dogs and people. He's still young. Find a retirement home and see if they will allow you to bring him in to visit the retired folks.

It is a wonderful thing to do. Not only for the old folks that are in there, because it allows them to play with, touch and talk to a lovely breed of dog that has the perfect hair, hypo allergenic, soft et cetera and it allows him to be in contact with many different people, smells and it will teach him that people shouldn't be a cause for alarm.

I do it with Moriarty and he is a completely different dog when I take him over. He loves it, wags his tail, doesn't bark, runs around sniffing everyone and the people love it because he's so soft and genteel and not big an scary as other breeds can be perceived, even when they are not (like Golden's, et cetera).

Just some ideas.

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