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Many times our
Cotons
whine, bark, cry, scratch at the door, the carpet, chew articles
of clothing or similar actions when left alone. As owner, we
often unintentionally train our dogs to behave this way. We do
this in that whenever they throw a tantrum when we leave, we
quickly come back to reassure them, give them attention or even
a bone or biscuit. If you do this, your dog will soon learn that
he can control you with emotional blackmail and inappropriate
behavior.
Long, drawn-out
goodbyes will excite your Coton and make your absence more
obvious to him. Just when he gets all excited and ready to play,
suddenly you leave. With his enthusiasm at a peak, your Coton
will either try his best to get you to come back or he will have
to vent his energy in some other way. Since he can't work
crossword puzzles, invite his buddies over for a game of cards,
he does doggy things - like chew, dig, turn over the trash and
bark.
Oftentimes,
owners think that our Coton is being destructive because he is
angry that we had the audacity to leave him alone. In reality,
he is just having doggy fun, and dispensing pent up energy since
there is nothing else to do.
He may be
excited to be able to do those things he normally can't do when
you're home. He may be thinking, "Thank goodness Mom (or Dad)
is finally gone! Now I can chase the cat, dig up the daisies,
chew up those new shoes Mom brought home yesterday , and bark at
the mailman. Mom would never permit me to do this if she was
home.”
Some Cotons
are rather nervous, leaning towards insecurity, and tend to
forget their manners and training when they are left alone. They
express this nervous energy in typical dog fashion - chewing,
digging, barking and going potty anywhere they want to.
Cotons have a
need to feel secure, comfortable, happy and relaxed when mom is
away from home. It's important that your Coton has approved
activities that he can do while you are gone. Give them lots of
toys for interactive play and chewing, possibly a digging area
in the yard, and leave the television or radio on for background
noise. Many owners report that their Coton enjoys Animal Planet
T.V.
In many
instances, another companion animal such as another Coton,
another dog, or a friendly cat can help your Coton adjust to
spending time without human supervision.
Each day, set
aside scheduled time periods to give your Coton undivided
attention, one on play time, and exercise. A mentally
stimulated, happy, well-exercised dog will usually sleep
contentedly during the day while you are gone. The time does
not have to be “long” each time, but it does have to be sincere
and on a one to one basis.
Be sure that
one of these play times occurs before you leave home for an
extended period of time. Give your Coton opportunity to settle
down before you leave and don't make a big deal of your
departure - just leave without any emotion or commotion.
If your Coton
is not used to being left alone or is already experiencing panic
attacks when you leave the house, gradually accustom him to your
leaving. Spend time each day “leaving and returning” several
times each day, until your Coton gets used to being left alone
for short period of time and realizes that you WILL return.
Gradually leave
for longer and longer periods of time, but start out by leaving
for just 5 minutes and returning again. Make no fuss either
upon your departure nor your return, in fact it is a good
practice to just say “See you later” and walk out the door.
Return again within 5 minutes (you may wish to drive you car
around the block so that he doesn’t realize that you are
standing just outside the door) and when you return, just open
the door and say “hi” in a quite manner. Ignore your Coton’s
antics until he has calmed down, then briefly reach down and
give him a soft, affectionate petting. Don’t go overboard.
Repeat this
scenario until you can leave and return within the 5 minutes
without any overt excitement on the part of your Coton. Then up
the time spent gone until your Coton is not paying attention to
your comings and goings, and has realized that mom might leave,
but she will return.
Something you
may try that I have found to be extremely useful, is to drop a
“wonderfully” yummy chew toy that he only gets when you leave
home. A hollow, sterilized bone filled with a teaspoon of
peanut butter on each end is a good, interactive, healthful
distraction. Just drop it on the ground, and leave. Soon, your
Coton may figure out a way to encourage you to leave and to give
him his wonderful treat .
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