Coton de Tuléar Puppy Care: From the First Day Home to the First Birthday
Bringing home a Coton de Tuléar puppy that looks like a cotton ball is exciting, and a little overwhelming because everything is new. Puppyhood lasts only about a year, but what happens during it shapes your dog's health and personality for life. This guide walks month by month from the first day to the first birthday.
Before your puppy comes home
- The same food it eats now (at least 1–2 weeks' worth; ask for the brand)
- Crate, playpen and soft bedding
- Potty tray and pads, food and water bowls
- Two or three chew toys for teething
- Soft slicker brush and comb
- Vaccination and deworming records from the breeder
What Baebaepuppy gives you at handover
We explain how the coat color may change, the puppy's personality and favorite things, and the food it eats now, and we ask you to keep feeding the same food. Many puppies stop eating or get diarrhea when a new home and a new food come at the same time. Puppies see a vet after arriving from the kennel, and we pass on what the vet said.
For families far away, our staff can deliver the puppy, with a video call before departure and photos at departure and arrival. On travel day, give a light breakfast and let the puppy rest quietly on arrival. International families should read our international delivery guide.
The first day and first week
Day one
Let the puppy rest in a quiet playpen. Hold off on passing it around or inviting guests. Whining at night is normal: it misses its mother and littermates. Put the bed near yours and add a cloth that smells of its old home if you have one.
The first night
- Line the crate with a blanket and add a familiar toy
- Keep the bed close to yours for the first few nights
- If the puppy whines, reassure it with your hand rather than taking it out every time
- Keep a pad nearby for a night-time toilet trip
- Start the next morning with breakfast at a set time
The first week
Keep meals, toilet trips, play and sleep at the same times every day. At 2–3 months, feed three to four small meals a day and do not change the food. Within 1–2 weeks, see a vet with the vaccination record and plan the rest of the schedule.
Month by month
| Age | Body and behavior | To do |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 months | Sleeps 18+ hours, very curious | Continue vaccinations, toilet training, start socialization |
| 3–4 months | Fast growth, playful biting | Teach bite inhibition, registration, rabies vaccination |
| 4–6 months | Teething, chews everything | Chew toys, remove hazards |
| 6–9 months | Adolescence, toilet accidents may return | Repeat basic training, discuss spay/neuter |
| 8–14 months | Puppy coat changes to adult coat | Brush daily or keep it short |
| 10–12 months | Height growth almost done | Prepare to switch to adult food |
Avoid busy dog parks and dog cafés until vaccinations are complete.
Managing vaccinations
Vaccine types and intervals vary by clinic and by puppy, so rather than memorizing a chart:
- Take the breeder's vaccination record to the first vet visit
- Put each next due date in your phone calendar right away
- Skip baths and rough play on vaccination day, and watch for a day or two
- Call your vet immediately if you see facial swelling, vomiting or severe lethargy
Socialization: do not miss 3 to 16 weeks
- Carry your puppy outside to hear cars, motorbikes and people
- Play vacuum, hair dryer and doorbell sounds quietly while giving treats
- Let people outside the family offer treats
- Walk on mats, tiles and grass
- Touch paws, ears, mouth and tail every day (it makes grooming and vet visits easy for life)
Toilet training
Take your puppy to its spot 10–20 minutes after eating, right after waking and after play, and praise and reward the moment it succeeds. Start with the bed and toilet area both inside the playpen, and expand the space as it learns. Scolding accidents teaches the puppy to hide when it toilets, so clean up quietly and remove the smell completely.
Teething and biting
Between 4 and 6 months the gums itch and puppies chew hands, furniture and cables. Provide plenty of chew toys; chilled rubber toys soothe sore gums. If your puppy bites your hand, say "ouch" and pause play briefly to teach a soft mouth. Keep a toy between your hand and the puppy during play.
| Toy type | Good for | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Soft rubber | Gentle on gums | Too small can be swallowed |
| Chilled toy or cloth | Soothes gums | Remove wet cloths after use |
| Rope toy | Tug games | Replace when fraying |
| Very hard bones | Avoid | Can break teeth |
Low blood sugar
| Sign | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weak and floppy | Keep the puppy warm right away |
| Trembling or unsteady | Rub a little honey or sugar water on the gums |
| Drowsy or seizing | Emergency: go to a vet immediately |
Feeding three to four small meals a day prevents it. If your puppy will not eat in the first week, soak its usual food in warm water to boost the smell, and if it still refuses, contact the breeder and your vet.
See a vet right away if
- It is weak, trembling or unsteady
- Vomiting or diarrhea repeats, or there is blood
- It has eaten almost nothing for close to a day
- Coughing, runny nose or eye discharge gets worse
First-month checklist
| Week | To do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Same food, quiet settling, book the first vet visit |
| 2 | First vet visit, confirm the vaccination schedule |
| 3 | Toilet spot established, more socialization |
| 4 | Alone-time practice up to 30 minutes, prepare registration |
Frequently asked questions
Will the brown or black puppy markings disappear?
Most fade as the puppy grows. Some keep a very light tint on the ears. See the meaning of the name, history and coat colors.
When can my puppy start walks?
After vaccinations are complete, as your vet advises. Until then, carry it outside to get used to the world.
Sources
- WSAVA vaccination guidelines (core principles)
- Veterinary behavior literature on the socialization period
Questions about the Coton de Tuléar? Contact us
Whether you are thinking about adopting a puppy, want to see the puppies currently with us, or have questions about raising your Coton, feel free to reach out. Baebaepuppy answers by phone, WhatsApp, KakaoTalk and Instagram every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Korea time).
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