09/07/2024
More Coton de Tulear puppy photos. They get cuter and cuter every day! And their little personalities are starting to come out.
Cotten's Sunset Kennels
- Home
- United States
- Ludington, MI
- Cotten's Sunset Kennels
Cotten's Sunset Kennel's offers safe, trustworthy and fun dog and cat boarding, allowing their owner
(6)
Proof of the following vaccinations required to board your dog/s with us: Rabies, DHLP-PV, Bordatella, and Canine Influenza
Cats are required to have proof of vaccination for: Rabies, Distemper
09/04/2024
WEDNESDAY WISDOM:
Animals That Have Lived At The White House
My apologizes that I have missed the last several weeks on our Wednesday Wisdom articles. Summer finally caught up to me and it was a bit crazy around the Cotten household. If you haven't heard, we put our house on the market. So if you know anyone looking for a beautiful home that backs up to Lincoln River send them our way!
A couple of weeks ago I had written an article about all of the crazy and interesting animals that have lived at the White House. Sadly before the article posted I lost it. So I am rewriting it today as I found it somewhat interesting so here is the condensed version of what favorite animals the presidents have brought to our White House. Enjoy!
-GEORGE WASHINGTON - while he didn't actually live at the White House, he was an animal enthusiast who owned quite a few donkeys, mules and horses along with quite a few dogs. According to the AKC he actually helped develop the American Foxhound breed.
-JOHN ADAMS - as the first president to reside in White House, John Adams was known to have a horse named Cleopatra, as well as two dogs named Juno and Satan.
-THOMAS JEFFERSON - he was a lover of dogs and horses but he was more known for his love of mockingbirds. One of which was named Dick, who was kept among the roses and geraniums, in a cage with the door open so he could fly freely. Jefferson was even said to take the birds with him on his travels to France. Additionally, history tells us that Jefferson owned a pair of bear cubs, given to him as a gift from a soldier named Zebulon Pike.
-JAMES MADISON - he owned the typical horses and dogs but he also had a parrot named Polly. During the War of 1812, while the White House was in danger of attack, First Lady Dolley Madison famously saved the iconic and very large painting of George Washington, which hangs in the White House East Room today—as well as her beloved Polly.
-JAMES MONROE - he was known to have two pets: a Siberian husky named Sebastian, and a Spaniel named Buddy. Both dogs are known to make great companions, and Buddy was a close friend to Monroe’s daughter Maria.
-JOHN QUINCY ADAMS - One of the strangest animal residents of the White House was a gift to President John Quincy Adams from the Marquis de Lafayette, on his 1825 tour of the United States: an alligator. The alligator was kept in the East Room of the White House, which was not yet finished. And legend has it that Adams would “surprise” unsuspecting visitors by taking them to the room where his pet alligator lived.
-ANDREW JACKSON - Jackson himself had a collection of horses and even had new stables built at the White House to accommodate them. One of those horses was a stallion named after one of America’s first celebrities: Sam Patch. Patch was known for jumping into the Niagara River near Niagara Falls. Jackson also had a parrot that he taught to swear and would do so in front of White House guests.
-MARTIN VAN BUREN - he also had the typical horses and dogs but he also was gifted a pair of tiger cubs by the Sultan of Oman—and was immediately delighted by them. Congress, on the other hand, wasn’t fond of keeping tigers at the White House and had them relocated to a nearby zoo.
-WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON - he owned a Durham cow named Sukey and a goat with an unspecified name.
-JOHN TYLER - our tenth president owned a Greyhound name Le Beau and a horse named The General.
-ZACHARY TAYLOR - he owned a wartime horse named Old Wh**ey, as well as a former circus pony named Apollo.
-MILLARD FILLMORE - perhaps reflecting the country's growing unrest around the topic of slavery, President Millard Fillmore had two ponies appropriately named Mason and Dixon.
-FRANKLIN PIERCE - I thought this was interesting, he was known for his excellent relations with Japan and when U.S. Representative Commodore Matthew Perry returned from signing a treaty with Japan, he brought back seven tiny Japanese Chin dogs for the president. The pups were tiny enough to sit on tea saucers and nicknamed “sleeve” dogs for their ability to hide in the sleeve of a kimono.
-JAMES BUCHANAN - he had a 170 lb Newfoundland dog named Lara. These were a very rare breed of dog in the US at the time, and it was reported that Lara looked like a bear.
-ABRAHAM LINCOLN - he owned many animals, including a pig, a rabbit, a dog named Fido, ponies, and cats and it has been said that he especially loved cats.
-ANDREW JOHNSON - While Andrew Johnson didn’t have any official White House pets, he was known to have adopted a family of white mice that he found in a grain mill. That would be a big NO for me!
-ULYSSES S GRANT - as a big pet lover he owned many dogs, horses, and ponies—and his favorite pet was a dog named Rosie. She was reported to be a black-and-tan dog, and he would often take his own dinner out to the stables to eat with Rosie and the horses, chatting with them as he ate.
-RUTHERFORD BICHARD HAYES - he had many pets, including canaries, a goat, and cows. But he was particularly smitten with his gentle giant Mastiff named Duke.
-JAMES A GARFIELD - he was the second president to own a Newfoundland dog that he named Veto. Newspaper reports touted Veto’s heroism when a barn on White House grounds caught fire and it was Veto’s barking that alerted staff to the blaze.
-CHESTER A ARTHUR - he wasn't known as a huge pet lover but he did love horses and owned two reddish-brown horses that reportedly attracted scores of visitors to the White House.
-GROVER CLEVELAND - as a huge dog lover he had a Cocker Spaniel, a Collie, a St. Bernard, several Dachshunds and Foxhounds, as well as canaries, mockingbirds, Poodles, chicken, and fish.
-BENJAMIN HARRISON - he acquired some of his pets thanks to his children and grandchildren who lived in the White House with him. Their companions included Dash the dog and Old Whiskers the billy goat, who pulled a cart in which the children could ride around the grounds. There were even two opossums, named Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection.
-WILLIAM MCKINLEY - he was reported to have two Angora kittens named Valeriano Weyler and Enrique EdLome, as well as a Mexican double-yellow-headed parrot named Washington Post.
-THEODORE ROOSEVELT - he was known to have kept a wide array of animals including not only two ponies and eight horses, but a pack of dogs, snakes, guinea pigs, a one-legged rooster, a barn owl, parrots, a raccoon, a zebra, and even five bears—among others! Most notable might have been Algonquin, a pony that belonged to Roosevelt’s son Archie. When Archie was recovering from the measles in 1903, he requested to see his pony but was too sick to make the trip to the stables. So Algonquin made the trip into the White House and even up an elevator to pay Archie a visit.
-WILLIAM H TAFT - he pets included were two cows: one named Mooly Wooly, the other named Pauline. They were reportedly seen grazing on the White House lawn and provided the home's milk and butter, a daily necessity for Taft’s time in office.
-WOODROW WILSON - he was known to have the typical family owned pets including several dogs, a cat, and songbirds. He also kept sheep at the White House, which were often seen grazing on the lawn.
-WARREN G HARDING - he was known to have an Airedale Terrier named Laddie Boy, but also an English Bulldog, several canaries, and Pete—a squirrel.
-CALVIN COOLIDGE - he was known to have more than a doze dogs. But he also had a goose, a donkey, raccoons, a bobcat, thrush, wallaby, and a pygmy hippopotamus. One of the most famous White House pet photos is that of First Lady Grace Coolidge with their pet raccoon.
-HERBERT HOOVER - he owned a Belgian Shepherd named King Tut—along with eight other dogs and two alligators, who were said to lurk around the White House grounds.
-FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT - as a big dog fan he was known to keep several different breeds with him in the White House. One of the most famous presidential pets, a Scottish Terrier named Fala, often traveled with Roosevelt.
-HARRY S TRUMAN - even though he was openly disinterested in having a pet join his family in the White House, one of his supporters sent him a Cocker Spaniel puppy named Feller. Truman remained steadfast in his desire not to have a pet, and the puppy was given away—leading to hate mail from dog lovers across the country.
-DWIGHT D EISENHOWER - he had a Weimaraner named Heidi, that moved into the White House with him but was eventually brought back to his farm in Pennsylvania. Ike also had a parakeet named Gabby, who was buried just outside of the executive mansion when she died in 1957.
-JOHN F KENNEDY - his love of dogs was certainly no secret. He brought several dogs to the White House with him, including a German Shepherd, an Irish Wolfhound, a Welsh Terrier, a French Poodle, an Irish Cocker Spaniel, and a mutt! More than one of his dogs had puppies, which the family held onto as well. However, one of his most famous dogs was Pushinka (meaning "fluffy" in Russian), who was a gift from Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. The dog's mother was one of the first dogs to be shot into space and come back alive. After making friends with Caroline Kennedy’s Welsh Terrier Charlie, the dog gave birth to a litter of puppies that the president called “pupniks.”
-LYNDON B JOHNSON - he had several dogs, including a Collie named Blanco, a mutt named Yuki, four other dogs, a hamster, and lovebirds. While many presidents' pets had political-leaning names, Johnson infamously named two of his beagles with the singularly unimaginative monikers Him and Her.
-RICHARD M NIXON - one of the most famous dogs in American history might be Checkers, the black-and-white Cocker Spaniel Nixon introduced to the American people in a televised speech. Also living at the White House with the Nixons: Vicky the Poodle, Pasha the Terrier, and King Timahoe the Irish Setter.
-GERALD R FORD - he had a Golden Retriever named Liberty who did give birth to a full litter of puppies while the Fords lived in the White House. He and his family kept one: Misty.
-JIMMY CARTER - his family pets included an Afghan Hound, a Border Collie, as well as a Siamese cat named Misty Malarky Ying Yang.
-RONALD REAGAN - as another dog lover, Reagan came to the White house with a full pack of canines, including a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a Bouvier des Flandres, a Siberian Husky, a Golden Retriever, and an Irish Setter. Additionally, he had several horses at his Ranch in California.
-GEORGE BUSH - he was another avid dog lover, who brought his English Springer Spaniel Millie into the White House. Millie had a litter of puppies, and Bush kept one, naming him Ranger.
-BILL CLINTON - he came to the White House with his black-and-white cat Socks, as well as his chocolate Labrador retriever, Buddy.
-GEORGE W BUSH - having some of his father’s fondness for English Springer Spaniels, George W. Bush brought one of Millie’s puppies with him to the White House as well—Spot.
-BARACK OBAMA - as promised to his family in his election night acceptance speech, Obama and his family adopted the famous Portuguese water dog Bo shortly before moving into the White House—and later added another, Sunny, to the first family.
-JOE BIDEN - he had a German Shepherd Major, who was the first rescue dog to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. before he was rehomed after several biting incidents. The eldest First Pet, German Shepherd Champ, whom the Bidens adopted in 2008, also lived in the White House before he passed in 2021. Six months after Champ's passing, the Bidens adopted a German Shepherd puppy named Commander. They may have also added a cat to their family but I was unable to confirm this.
If you have read this far then I congratulate you on reading through all of this! I believe these are most of the pets that have lived at the White House over the years. I could have easily missed some but I hope you found this interesting like I did.
Now that Labor Day is behind us and kids are back in school it's time to remind our loyal customers that if you need reservations for Thanksgiving or Christmas please get them to us. As you know, we fill up quickly. Also, tonight we begin our first class of our September Basic Obedience Training. If you have any interest in training or boarding give us a call at 231-845-0550. As always have a wonderful day!
09/03/2024
It’s amazing how quickly the Coton de Tulear puppies have grown! ❤️🐶💕
09/02/2024
Enjoy your day!
08/26/2024
These two cute Coton de Tulear puppies want to say Happy National Dog Day! ❤️🐶💕
08/22/2024
The Coton de Tulear puppies are starting to get big. They are walking a lot better now and almost ready for visitors! ❤️
08/07/2024
WEDNESDAY WISDOM:
Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?
This morning I took about 1.5 hours and wrote an article titled Dogs of The White House. And then suddenly I lost all of my work! So that article will need to be rewritten next week. I am running out of time this morning to get it done. So today we will dive into why dogs have whiskers.
If you own a dog you have probably noticed that they have whiskers, which are stiff, coarse hairs that stick out from the fur around the nose and eyebrows. So, why do dogs have whiskers? Because they are part of an important sensory system that helps dogs navigate their environment.
Whiskers are sensory hairs that are also called vibrassae, tactile hairs, or sinus hairs. They differ in structure from the hairs that make up your dog’s fur, not only in appearance, thickness, and stiffness, but also in how they are connected to your dog’s body and brain. Whiskers are only located on dogs’ faces and can be found above the eyes, around the nose, under the chin, and on the cheeks. Since dogs use their faces and noses to glean all sorts of information about their world, it makes sense that whiskers would develop in these areas to provide extra sensory input.
While a dog’s fur is designed to protect the skin and regulate body temperature, whiskers are uniquely designed to pick up on the slightest touch and transmit that sensation to your dog’s brain. These special tactile hairs are so sensitive that they can even sense slight changes in air movement around a dog’s head and help your dog estimate the size and shape of, and distance to, surrounding objects. I find this fascinating!
The unique anatomy of whiskers, compared to other types of hair, is responsible for their sensory function. Fur grows from hair follicles, which are small pockets of cells and connective tissue in your dog’s skin. The follicles surrounding whiskers are much bigger, with a large blood supply and many nerves. This blood supply is called a blood sinus (hence the name sinus hairs). When the whisker encounters even a very slight touch or pressure change, it transfers this pressure to the blood sinus, where it’s amplified and transmitted to the brain via sensory nerves.
There’s also a difference in the type of muscles that move whiskers. You may have seen your dog’s fur stand up along the back when scared or startled. This is an involuntary reaction caused by smooth muscle movements under the skin—similar to when people get goosebumps. In contrast, whiskers are connected to striated muscle, the type of muscle that’s involved in voluntary movements. Dogs can control whisker movements, moving and extending them as needed.
Since I have a litter of newborn puppies, I was fascinated to learn that whiskers develop very early in the embryonic stage of dogs and appear before any other type of hair. Due to this, whiskers may perform important functions in newborn puppies, who cannot see for the first ten to fourteen days of life, like finding their mother and locating ni***es for nursing. I had always thought it was their nose that helped with this. Silly me!
Whiskers can also protect the eyes and face from injuries by triggering reflex reactions like blinking when something touches the whiskers above the eyes. Whiskers let a dog know ahead of time when a sharp stick or branch is near the face, allowing the dog to avoid potential injury.
Thus, it can be dangerous to remove whiskers from a dog. Whiskers may not seem like they're doing much to the naked eye, but they are essential for dogs to avoid danger and safely move through their environment. Dogs who have had their whiskers removed are more prone to injuries, and sightless dogs without whiskers will bump into walls and corners more easily. Whiskers should never be removed because of the important sensory function they perform in dogs, unless there is a medical reason to do so, like treatment of a wound or an abscess.
I found this information quite interesting - while the whisker itself does not feel pain when cut because there are no nerves in the actual hair, dogs will still feel discomfort when their whiskers are cut or shaved. Dogs with trimmed whiskers have difficulty fetching balls and have been observed dropping the ball immediately after picking it up–a possible indication of discomfort due to missing or shortened whiskers.
Dogs may occasionally damage or shed a whisker here and there, but as long as the follicle beneath the skin is not damaged, the whisker will grow back.
We hope you enjoyed this bit of information and are having a good week. Tonight we begin our first class for our August Basic Obedience Training. We are looking forward to meeting all of the handlers and their dogs! If you have any boarding or training needs give us a call at 231-845-0550. We have been super busy this summer so if you have an expected trip don't forget to call to make the reservation for your pet.
08/04/2024
The Coton de Tulear puppies are starting to get their black pigmentation. ❤️
08/01/2024
Congratulations to our July Basic Obedience Class on a job well done! We were so happy to see all of the progress that each of the dogs made during the month. It doesn’t happen without their owners putting in the work. Enjoy your dogs! And know we are always here to help if you have any questions.
07/31/2024
WEDNESDAY WISDOM:
How to Prepare For And Care For A Puppy
It's puppy time at Cotten' Sunset Kennels. Some of you may have seen an earlier post that our female Maddie had a litter of four puppies last Wednesday; two females and two males. Thankfully it all went smoothly and momma and pups are doing great!
And with a new litter comes potential new buyers. I get asked some interesting and typically good questions often from buyers. I can usually tell by their questions if they have put a lot of thought into how much time and work that is required by adding a puppy to your home. As most of us know, bringing a new pup into your home will change your life forever. Puppies are definitely a lot of work, but they also bring plenty of joy to your world.
So if you are thinking about bringing a new puppy into your home, here's what you'll need to know to get your puppy on the right track to adulthood. From choosing the right puppy and making your home safe for your new furry friend to caring for and training your pup, you'll find tips for it all.
The first important thing to consider is choosing the right puppy. Sometimes puppies find us accidentally, however most times you must take on the important task of going out and finding the right kind of puppy to fit your lifestyle.
Therefore it's important to examine your lifestyle and consider what you are looking for in a puppy. Purebred or mixed breed dog? Big or small? There are even more factors to consider, such as grooming and exercise needs, temperament, and potential health issues.
You also need to consider where you will find the right puppy. Do you want to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder? Or maybe adopt a puppy from an animal shelter? Regardless of where you find this puppy, you are guaranteed to have a friend for life!
Another important aspect of getting a new puppy is to get your home ready for your new addition. You need to ensure your home is as safe as possible, both for your new puppy and your belongings. The puppy-proofing process is similar to toddler-proofing a home. I won't go into a lot of detail but make sure that electrical cords, potential toxins, and breakable items are placed completely out of reach. Remember that your puppy can jump, climb, chew, and scratch, so place what you can very high up or in a locked cabinet.
Of course you also have to name your puppy. John and I have spent a lot of time trying to agree on dog names over the years. We have a dog named Jagger simply because we live on Jagger Road and it was the only name we both could agree on. You will want to pick something that has a nice ring to it and is not too long. It should be easy to say and simple for your puppy to understand. It's also important that your dog's name does not sound too similar to other words you plan to teach it. John insists that his hunting dogs have a one syllable name simply because it's easier for training purposes. I prefer longer names, if you couldn't already tell! Whatever you decide, you will want to use the name frequently so your puppy learns and responds to it.
Your new puppy will need certain items from the very start. Some are essential for your pup's well-being, while others are quite helpful. The most important items include a leash and collar with identification (we NEVER put the dog's name on their collar), food and water bowls, and chew toys. You should also get a comfortable dog bed for puppies along with a crate/kennel.
Another important thing to look into with a new puppy is their food. There are so many options on the market these days it can make your head spin. If you aren't sure which foods are good quality food be sure to ask your vet, other dog owners and of course the breeder if your puppy is coming from a breeder. I send all of my puppies home with plenty of food for the owner to gradually switch their food if they prefer to do that.
You will also need to find a veterinarian. You will want to do a wellness check with your vet within the first few days of getting a puppy. Throughout your puppy's first six months, you will see a lot of your vet. This begins with puppy vaccines and usually leads to spaying or neutering, around one year of age. One thing to remember is to always try and make your visits to the vet an enjoyable experience so that they are never afraid of the vet visits.
And then of course comes the fun part - house training your puppy. This process can sometimes be quite arduous, though some puppies catch on earlier than others. You should begin housetraining as soon as you bring your puppy home, but it takes patience. Puppies are generally not able to control their bladders and bowels until about 12 weeks of age. If your puppy is younger than this, just be patient and expect accidents.
Beyond housebreaking, there are many more things you will need to teach your dog. Start by working on socialization. This includes having your dog socialized with other dogs, humans and maybe even cats. Also important is leash training your puppy. This will set the stage for teaching basic commands. Teaching various basic commands can help you curb some behavior problems. Of course we would recommend getting your pup into our Basic Obedience Training. We tell clients that as soon as their pup is fully vaccinated they are ready to begin training.
While puppy training can be a challenge, we try to make it as easy as possible for both you and your dog. Each week we send clients and pups home with homework but we always say that 15 minutes of training a day will make a big difference in training your dog. And the outcome will make your efforts worthwhile. A solid foundation of training provides structure and gives your dog confidence. Well-trained dogs are happier dogs. Well-socialized puppies are less anxious, more comfortable dogs as they get older.
Tonight is our last class of our July Basic Obedience Training. All dogs and owners in our July class have been doing awesome. Next week we will begin our August class. If you have a new puppy or even an older dog that could use some training give us a call at 231-845-0550.
Also, our boarding facility has been very very busy. If you have an upcoming trip planned and you need to board your dog give us a call to make that reservation. Sadly we have had to turn some clients away because we are completely full at times. So the easier you can call the better. Lastly, enjoy your dogs!
07/29/2024
Cotten’s Sunset Kennels is pleased to announce the arrival of four healthy Coton de Tulear puppies last week! Mom and pups are doing great!
07/24/2024
WEDNESDAY WISDOM:
How To Teach Your Dog To Swim
Whether or not you plan to take your dog to the beach, out on your boat or to a pool this summer, it is important to be sure that your dog (and kids!) can swim. We live in an awesome area with access to a lot of water so making sure your dog can swim is important. As an avid swimmer I can't think of a better place to be in the summer than in the water. But not all dogs feel the same way.
In addition, teaching your dog to swim can have some excellent benefits: It's good exercise; it can help a puppy's mental and physical development; and it's yet another way for you to spend time with your best buddy.
We recently had a dog shipped up to us from Texas for some training. Before we sent the dog home with his owners we wanted to be sure that the dog (a Labrador retriever) knew how to swim. This dog was being trained as a bird dog so being sure he was comfortable in the water was an important aspect of his training. Below are some tips on teaching your dog to swim.
When To Start?
You can really start at any point in your dog's life if you want to, but most trainers recommend beginning when your dog is between 6 months and 2 years old. That's when dogs are developing physically and mentally. But if you want to teach your older dog to swim, don't be afraid to try. They're kind of set in their ways, so it makes it a little more difficult, not to say that it can't happen, but it does make it a little more difficult. It's certainly not an issue to give it a try!
Three Easy Steps To Start
First, here's what you'll need: your swimsuit, a life jacket for your dog and if you can't swim well yourself too, maybe a toy or two, some treats, a positive attitude, and plenty of patience.
As far as where to teach your dog to swim, all options have pros and cons. With beaches, it's easy for your dog to get in and out of the water, but you are in an otherwise uncontrolled environment. It can also be hard to find areas where dogs are allowed on the beach. But there are areas here in Mason County where dogs are allowed. In a backyard pool, it might be harder for your pup to get into the water, but you're in control of everything. But not all of us have pools in our backyards!
It's important to also understand that you will need to get into the water with your dog. You can not stand on the sidelines and expect your dog to get into the water and swim without your help and encouragement. And let me say, not all dogs need any encouragement. You might have a dog that is hard to keep out of the water! It all depends on the dog.
Step One - Introduce Your Dog To The Water
Whether you are planning to do this from the beach or a pool you first want to bring your dog near the water and spend a few minutes outside of the water, letting them relax. Maybe even share a few treats with your dog.
Step Two - Get Into The Water
Now is when you start to get their feet into the water. If this is your dog's first try, he/she probably won't follow you. Be patient, and help them slowly get deeper into the water. Make sure you shower them with encouragement, giving them lots of "good boy/girl" or if you have been to our training you have certainly heard us use "attaboy" and "attagirl" with our dogs!
Step Three - Swim!
Slowly begin to ease your dog deeper into the water until their feet can no longer touch the ground. Make sure you stay right by their side, guiding them around. If you do not have a life jacket on your dog you may want to keep your arm under their belly in the beginning to give them some confidence. This will just help to keep your pup calm.
Your dog may try to immediately exit the water so you may need to try and block them from getting out but make sure you continue to encourage them as well. You might then try to make it a bit more fun for them by adding a fetch toy for them to get.
However, if it's obvious that your dog is really stressed from being in the water it will be best to let them leave the water and simply try all of this again later or on another day. Also, if you've tried a few times and your dog obviously hates it, swimming isn't for him and you should focus on enjoying your time together on land. Just like us, not all dogs are going to love the water.
Which brings up a good question - can all dogs learn to swim? For the most part, yes all dogs can learn to swim. However, some dogs might have a genetic disposition to swimming - poodles, Labrador retrievers, Chesapeake Bay retrievers etc. But you can teach almost any breed to swim.
It is important to know that with flat-faced brachycephalic dogs like bulldogs and pugs, it might be best to stay on land. Because of their facial structure, it can be hard for these breeds to keep their noses above water, even with a life jacket, to breathe and that can put them at an increased risk of drowning.
Lastly, just be sure that you are making it the most positive experience for your dog. Don't just toss them into the water! This is about the worst thing you can do. Not only will your dog likely panic because they have never swam before and you may not be in the water with them, the experience could be traumatic enough to make them afraid of the water forever.
We hope you are enjoying the summer with your dogs. We have been very busy with boarding and training dogs this summer. We appreciate all of our clients, both two and four legged! If you are interested in our Basic Obedience Class give us a call at 231-845-0550. We begin a new session every Wednesday of the month. Our August class is starting to fill up. Also if you have any boarding needs give us a call as we have had many weeks where are are completely full and having to turn some people away.
231-845-0550
Address
2750 N. Stiles Road
Ludington, MI
Opening Hours
| Monday | 7:30am - 9am |
| 3:30pm - 5:30pm | |
| Tuesday | 7:30am - 9am |
| 3:30pm - 5:30pm | |
| Wednesday | 7:30am - 9am |
| 3:30pm - 5:30pm | |
| Thursday | 7:30am - 9am |
| 3:30pm - 5:30pm | |
| Friday | 7:30am - 9am |
| 3:30pm - 5:30pm | |
| Saturday | 7:30am - 9am |
| 3:30pm - 5:30pm | |
| Sunday | 7:30am - 9am |
| 3:30pm - 5:30pm |
Website
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cotten's Sunset Kennels posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Cotten's Sunset Kennels:
Videos
Memorial Day
Off leash
WEDNESDAY WISDOM: How Much Is Too Much When It Comes To Training? Everyone needs a break at some point, including dog trainers! While we love to train dogs and find it very rewarding we also need some downtime. Dogs also need a break from training at times. Today we are going to discuss (briefly) how much is too much when it comes to training our dogs. Everyone agrees that training your dog is a good thing. Training helps to ensure you have a well-behaved dog that also bonds with their human owner. But we all know that too much of a good thing isn't always good. Spending too much time training your dog can be harmful and can even lead to undoing some of the training that you have done. There are several things to consider when training a dog. The first is the age of the dog. While we do recommend starting training when your dog is still a puppy we also believe that long and intense training sessions would be too much for a puppy. Puppies who get too much training early on may be obedient, but sometimes they obey grudgingly and fearfully, rather than being proud and eager to please their owners. The same can be said for senior dogs. We always say that old dogs can learn new tricks. But you also need to consider what is good for your dog and not overdo it. We all slow down as we age and we need to be sure not to push older dogs into too much exercise all at once. You don't want to cause any soreness or stiffness in an older dog. In our basic obedience classes we take things one step at a time. You don't want to overwhelm your dog with too much all at once. Dogs are like humans where we are limited on how much we can absorb during a set amount of time. If you have ever gone to a day of training you know what I mean, after eight hours of training you are exhausted from trying to absorb everything that is being thrown at you. You want to teach your dog one thing at a time and be sure your dog understands the new command completely. Then take a break before you in
Client
It’s a gorgeous weekend to be outside. And training your dog is even better! We received this video from one of our clients who had been struggling with their dog when out on trails. We are proud of the progress they have made!
Off-Leash Training
Our dog Storm doing some off-leash training earlier this year.
Training
We love hearing from our clients after they have attended our Basic Obedience Class. This awesome 5 month old GSD really shows that her owner is continuing to put in the work to continue her training. Awesome job to this duo! If you are interested in having a well trained dog give us a call at 231-845-0550. Our September class is full but we are currently taking reservations for our October class. 🐕💕🐾 When only the best will do!
It’s hard to believe that eight weeks have flown by with these adorable puppies. I’m sad but also excited that a couple of them are going to their new forever homes today. I know they will make many awesome memories with their new families. 💕🐾
Puppy video. They are getting so big now!
We started our May Basic Obedience and Advanced Off-Leash Training classes last night. It’s always so rewarding to start a new session with dogs and see how quickly they learn that first night of class. We are looking forward to working with all of these gorgeous dogs. They all were rockstars last night! 🐕 We only have two slots left for our June Basic Obedience class! So if you are interested give us a call right away to reserve your slot. 231-845-0550. #ludingtondogtraining #welltraineddog #happydogshappylife
How many of us can relate to having a morning like this?! I can’t stop laughing at her antics. There is a reason why Cotons are known as clown dogs! 😂🐶🤡
We are now taking reservations for our May Advanced Off-Leash Training class. In this class we work with you and your dog to become off-leash reliable on various commands. The requirements for this class is that your dog has to have attended our basic obedience classes and you must have an e-collar available for use along with a 12’ check cord. If you have any questions about this class or would like to register give us a call at 231-845-0550. 🐶🦴 #ludingtondogtraining #dogtraining #welltraineddog
In our Advanced Class we work with dogs to begin the off-leash training. Last night was the second week of class and we were very pleased with how well all of the dogs rocked it! We are currently taking reservations for our MAY class. Requirements are: you must have attended our Basic Obedience Class, a 12’ check cord, an e-collar, a flat collar, a prong collar and a willingness to work with your dog at least 15 minutes a day on homework. By the end of the four week course you should be well on your way to having an off-leash trained dog. Give us a call at 231-845-0550 to get signed up. We limit this class to six dogs. 🐕🦺🦴🐾
We love hearing from our clients! We received this comment and video from a client over the weekend. This was after only ONE session of our Basic Obedience Training! Happy Easter! Thought you might like to see Teddy’s progress with walking at the knee. I have never been able to have a nice walk with him without Teddy taking me for a walk until now. Thank you! Video to follow.
Shortcuts
Share
Category
Other Ludington pet stores & pet services
-
Stone Brook Equine Bodywork Therapy
Ludington Avenue -
49431
-
N. Stiles Road
-
S Meyers Road
-
49431
-
W. Hesslund Road
-
S Lakeshore
-
49431
