How can I get my Coton de Tulear to play at the dog park?

by Sue

We have a wonderful 4 year old Coton de Tulear who is such a joy to me and my husband. When a new dog park opened nearby recently we thought it would be a perfect opportunity for Sammy to meet other dogs and people since he’s mostly just home with the 2 of us.

It’s a beautiful off-leash park with lots of friendly people and playful dogs his own size, but he seems to be the only dog who doesn’t want to play. All the other dogs are running around happy as can be and Sammy just stands there. As soon as another dog comes near to check him out, he tries to hide behind me.

He’s always friendly to other dogs he meets at the Vet, groomer, and out on walks, so we don’t understand why he’s different at the dog park. Does anyone have any ideas on how we can get our Coton to relax and have fun with the other dogs at the dog park?

Comments for How can I get my Coton de Tulear to play at the dog park?

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Oct 06, 2011
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My Cotton isn't big on dog parks
by: Suzan

My dog Cotton sees other dogs when I walk her and I bring her over to meet them and when they approach her she throws herself down on her back so they can sniff her or she hides behind me. She's been this way since she's a puppy she's not too comfortable. She's okay with dogs who are mellow and not as hyper as she is. She's 2yrs old and still has a lot of puppy left in her. I did take her to a doggy park but she kept running to me anytime one of the dogs came close. I find when she's one on one with another dog in her own surroundings she's much better.

Oct 05, 2011
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Dog park
by: Mary Byrne

We've brought Simon to the dog park a couple of times. He's done the exact same thing! Totally uninterested in playing with the other dogs, wants to be on my lap or under a bench. He's fine with dogs outside the park so I figured its just not his thing. Now, running on the beach with other dogs - that's his favorite!

Oct 05, 2011
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Playing Coton
by: Dee

Don't have that problem, try to stop him from playing.

Sounds like he just needs to adjust. Also, remember they feel what you are feeling so think about how you are feeling while you are there and let it go... If you are more relaxed, he will be too. :-)

Good luck!

Oct 05, 2011
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Dog park - no desire to play
by: Sevi

Hi,

I do not have the same issue with my Coton Tyche while at the dog park.
Sometimes, if another dog is at our place visiting, she doesn't want to play with him /her and stays always close to us. She is very social otherwise but she has her moments as I call it.

We should never forget that Cotons are so attached to humans that sometimes are not interested to nothing else but their humans.

Give him time and try to make the dog park visits a routine. He will eventually understand that being surrounded by other dogs at an area where he can be free is a great opportunity for lots of fun and play.

Good luck :)

Oct 04, 2011
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Dog Park
by: Vicky from Az

Jonah my 4 yr old Coton & I have gone twice a wk. to the dog park since he was 1.5. He always hangs by me & never really plays w/the other dogs. Once in a great while he will run after a dog chasing a ball. Even though he plays fetch at home he will not play it there. He is never aggressive to other dogs or people he greets them & lets them pet him.

A lot of the same people go at the same time on certain days & we will sit there for 3 hrs, sometimes talking. When we pull up to the park he will start barking & get excited where he has traveled quietly there.

We walk every morn. & evenings so I tried not taking our walks & going to the park but no diff. I 1st started taking him when he started barking at other dogs & people as we pasted by them on our walks when he outgrew puppyhood. Within the 1st week the problem corrected itself.

Our household is identical to yours. Jeff's son has 2 boston terriers which stay w/us when they go for weekends they play w/Jonah's toys & run around sometimes he will run after them but not for long but he will play frizbee & ball w/me & loves to go places & loves to walk.

I have meet a lot of good friends at the park & Jonah is the 1st one to walk around the park where a lot of the other dogs only make it a forth of the way. So I guess its fair to say that he goes because he knows I enjoy it. He never complains to go home by whining or barking he just hangs until I'm ready. So enjoy your new park.

Oct 04, 2011
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Is it your dog or the park?
by: Anonymous

I don't really have an answer for you except to say that maybe it's not your dog that's the problem; maybe it's the dog park. Years ago I took our little cocker spaniel to a dog park and was shocked at the behavior of the other dogs AND their owners. Dogs would rush up to mine and start nipping or humping as their owners just stood by and watched. It was just too much for my dog to have all these strange energetic dogs running up to her. I found that she did much better in smaller controlled groups. Maybe you could invite some neighbors and their dogs over for a play date.

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