buddy does not like the brush - YorkieTalk.com Forums

buddytheyorkie · 08-02-2013, 09:01 AM

hi my 6mnth old yorkie hates being brushed and bites the brush and my hand the groomer said she would have to muzzle him if he didnt get used to the brush HELP i'm his third owner and when i got him he was all matted and took a disliking to the brush

DQ408 · 08-02-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddytheyorkie

hi my 6mnth old yorkie hates being brushed and bites the brush and my hand the groomer said she would have to muzzle him if he didnt get used to the brush HELP i'm his third owner and when i got him he was all matted and took a disliking to the brush

Hi When I got my Sharkie he was also all matted up. and he did the same thing attacked the brush and I just gave him a quick " No SHARKIE" a few times ...and I did not give up because he will need to be brush for the rest of his life.. Just be persistent and dont give up.

Faboosh · 08-02-2013, 10:00 AM

Billi would bite at her slicker brush when she was younger and still runs from it when I get to her tooshie and hind legs... She's about 5ish months, so I think it has more to do with her puppy coat being difficult- I'd imagine that's what's bothering your lil boy!

I've heard shaving their puppy coats off can help; it could also be that he needs to have his hair kept short, too. Give him some some time & lots of treats- it'll get better!

buddytheyorkie · 08-02-2013, 11:47 AM

thanks for the advice

yorkietalkjilly · 08-02-2013, 12:18 PM

Desensitize him to it slowly and make it represent something good. For a few days, say "Good Brush", show it to him and give him a treat instantly. Do this for about 2 - 3 minutes x3 daily, taking a 30 seconds between each encounter. In a couple of days, in addition to the "Good Brush"/treat sessions, put the brush in his toy basket, toss some treats around it in there beside it. Other times, place it next to his food dish and allow him to eat with it near. Anytime you are loving him, get the brush and lay it alongside you where he can see it and give him a little treat from time to time when he looks at or acknowledges it. Keep up the "Good Brush"/treat sessions.

Put peanut butter on the back of the brush and allow him to lick it off. If he can't tolerate peanut butter due to GI issues, spread a bit of dog food on it and allow him to lick it off. When he's outside playing, toss the brush for him to run to and look at it, grab and play with if he will. Treat him if he does.

Before long, with the treating and "Good Brush" sessions for a few days, lay the back of the brush on his body and say "Good brush" and give him a treat. Keep on doing that for a couple or so days for just a few encounters each time, say 5 or 6, then turn it around and let him feel the brush bristles upon his back for a few seconds and then treat him. Take a week or so to keep doing that and the "Good Brush"/treat sessions.

After a week, gently, briefly brush once along his back and treat him, saying "Good brush" as you do. Get up and walk away and get him busy focusing on something else. In an hour, repeat the once brush stroke/treat/walk away. This shows him that even though I'm getting that dreaded brushing that I used to hate, it is only one time and then it is OVER - I can take that and besides, I get a treat and then we do something else. No problem!

Just do that single stroke brushing/treat a few times a day with a good, juicy treat each time, toss a ball or start a play session and he will eventually allow you to brush him a few times and slowly but surely work up to longer sessions. In time, if you go slowly enough and make him comfortable enough around it over a long, slow period of desensitization where he is not threatened by it but slowly allowed to grow used to it just being around and eventually on him, touching him briefly for treats, he should be able to tolerate brief brushing after a while and then longer brushings until it is just another part of his day.

Marhcarter · 08-03-2013, 04:21 PM

Huey hates being brushed but has no dislike of the brush itself. In fact, he likes to grab it and run off so I can't use it on him!

He can become a snarling monster while being brushed, but it is in direct relation to how many tangles he had.
A great help to me was buying a grooming table. That way I'm not trying to hold him with one hand...I can use that hand to hold the tangled area at the base to prevent pulling. Grooming is also accompanied by many kisses and treats (he gives me kisses, I give him treats)
You said your groomer threatened to muzzle Buddy? I would find a different groomer who will be patient and help with teaching him to stand still during grooming. A rough groomer or one who is in a hurry can undo any progress you make in a matter of minutes. I would "interview" any prospective groomer and see if you can schedule a double appointment window so they can take the time to get it done in a calm, unhurried manner. Good luck!

Sandysbabies · 08-03-2013, 04:52 PM

I took it really slow and easy with Kayla. I would tell her how pretty she was and brush her tummy and say, Ohhhhh that feels so good. Now I can say, Kayla, you want to be brushed?? She will come flyin'. Good luck. Just take it slow.

marcie · 08-03-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Desensitize him to it slowly and make it represent something good. For a few days, say "Good Brush", show it to him and give him a treat instantly. Do this for about 2 - 3 minutes x3 daily, taking a 30 seconds between each encounter. In a couple of days, in addition to the "Good Brush"/treat sessions, put the brush in his toy basket, toss some treats around it in there beside it. Other times, place it next to his food dish and allow him to eat with it near. Anytime you are loving him, get the brush and lay it alongside you where he can see it and give him a little treat from time to time when he looks at or acknowledges it. Keep up the "Good Brush"/treat sessions.

Put peanut butter on the back of the brush and allow him to lick it off. If he can't tolerate peanut butter due to GI issues, spread a bit of dog food on it and allow him to lick it off. When he's outside playing, toss the brush for him to run to and look at it, grab and play with if he will. Treat him if he does.

Before long, with the treating and "Good Brush" sessions for a few days, lay the back of the brush on his body and say "Good brush" and give him a treat. Keep on doing that for a couple or so days for just a few encounters each time, say 5 or 6, then turn it around and let him feel the brush bristles upon his back for a few seconds and then treat him. Take a week or so to keep doing that and the "Good Brush"/treat sessions.

After a week, gently, briefly brush once along his back and treat him, saying "Good brush" as you do. Get up and walk away and get him busy focusing on something else. In an hour, repeat the once brush stroke/treat/walk away. This shows him that even though I'm getting that dreaded brushing that I used to hate, it is only one time and then it is OVER - I can take that and besides, I get a treat and then we do something else. No problem!

Just do that single stroke brushing/treat a few times a day with a good, juicy treat each time, toss a ball or start a play session and he will eventually allow you to brush him a few times and slowly but surely work up to longer sessions. In time, if you go slowly enough and make him comfortable enough around it over a long, slow period of desensitization where he is not threatened by it but slowly allowed to grow used to it just being around and eventually on him, touching him briefly for treats, he should be able to tolerate brief brushing after a while and then longer brushings until it is just another part of his day.

mimimomo · 08-05-2013, 10:17 AM

Jeanie gives some very good training advice!

I have one that tends to tangle, he has soft cottony coat. When I'm brushing him & encounter a tangle, he'll attack the brush, he's very sensitive! So I have to go in w/a small blunt nosed scissor & snip the tangle off. He has so much hair, can't tell that any hair is missing.

Alora · 08-05-2013, 10:28 AM

There has already been great advice given, but I thought I would add how I got Henri used to brushing.
I started with a natural bristle brush and started brushing for only a couple of minutes a day, he would bite at it and all but I was persistent. I would talk sweet to him during the process and then give him a treat when done, I would let him sit in my lap during brushing. Henri eventually got used to that brush so I moved on to the metal comb and then the pin brush. Don't introduce multiple grooming tools at once, get him used to them one at a time. Now I can brush Henri anytime and anywhere (he no longer needs to be in my lap, he will just sit there nicely while I brush him), he loves it! He gets excited when I bring the brushes out.
I hope this helps and good luck!

Hrossen11 · 08-05-2013, 11:25 AM

Teddy hated hated hated grooming. I had him clipped short and started over. We began slowly. A few strokes of the brush/comb and then a piece of boiled chicken. We spent this way for a month slowly increasing the number of strokes and rubbing all over his body. Finally a few months later he tolerates being groomed. I probably spend about thirty minutes a day grooming him. He still does not like groomer (groom to fast and pull his fur) but I can clip and trim him slowly a little at a time.

The key is to take it slow, move at their pace, reward, and be patient.

buddytheyorkie · 08-05-2013, 11:27 AM

thanks for all the tips and advice

kjc · 08-05-2013, 11:34 AM

Whatever you do, don't snag a knot! Brush slowly and gently, and apologize if you pull his hair. (I am being very serious... apologies work wonders)

Magnus · 08-05-2013, 11:40 AM

I'd hold a jerky and let Magnus/Zoey nibble on them while I gently/slowly start brushing. I either start off from the tail end or the side. If they react to the brush like biting, I take the treat away. Let him/her relax a bit and offer the treat then start brushing again. I think talking to them helps. After all is done, they get rest of the treat.

It took few months with consistancy. They still don't love being groomed but they behave. Just be patient and I'm sure Buddy will come around. I used to "wrestle" with Magnus when I first started brushing him. Took me over an hour just to do a general brushing on him. Now, takes me maybe 15-20 min. But that's because I frisk him for ticks, wipe, detailed brush/comb, spritz with conditioner.

bubbleh1 · 08-06-2013, 03:50 AM

My yorkie is 11 weeks old, at what age is a good time to start brushing him?

08-02-2013, 09:01 AM	#1
buddytheyorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: ireland Posts: 112	buddy does not like the brush hi my 6mnth old yorkie hates being brushed and bites the brush and my hand the groomer said she would have to muzzle him if he didnt get used to the brush HELP i'm his third owner and when i got him he was all matted and took a disliking to the brush

08-02-2013, 10:00 AM	#3
Faboosh YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 539	Billi would bite at her slicker brush when she was younger and still runs from it when I get to her tooshie and hind legs... She's about 5ish months, so I think it has more to do with her puppy coat being difficult- I'd imagine that's what's bothering your lil boy! I've heard shaving their puppy coats off can help; it could also be that he needs to have his hair kept short, too. Give him some some time & lots of treats- it'll get better! __________________ [I]Dani: Happily owned by Billi-Jane & Witten facebook/instagram/twitter @danifabulous \| dogster @ dogs/1308401

08-02-2013, 12:18 PM	#5
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	Desensitize him to it slowly and make it represent something good. For a few days, say "Good Brush", show it to him and give him a treat instantly. Do this for about 2 - 3 minutes x3 daily, taking a 30 seconds between each encounter. In a couple of days, in addition to the "Good Brush"/treat sessions, put the brush in his toy basket, toss some treats around it in there beside it. Other times, place it next to his food dish and allow him to eat with it near. Anytime you are loving him, get the brush and lay it alongside you where he can see it and give him a little treat from time to time when he looks at or acknowledges it. Keep up the "Good Brush"/treat sessions. Put peanut butter on the back of the brush and allow him to lick it off. If he can't tolerate peanut butter due to GI issues, spread a bit of dog food on it and allow him to lick it off. When he's outside playing, toss the brush for him to run to and look at it, grab and play with if he will. Treat him if he does. Before long, with the treating and "Good Brush" sessions for a few days, lay the back of the brush on his body and say "Good brush" and give him a treat. Keep on doing that for a couple or so days for just a few encounters each time, say 5 or 6, then turn it around and let him feel the brush bristles upon his back for a few seconds and then treat him. Take a week or so to keep doing that and the "Good Brush"/treat sessions. After a week, gently, briefly brush once along his back and treat him, saying "Good brush" as you do. Get up and walk away and get him busy focusing on something else. In an hour, repeat the once brush stroke/treat/walk away. This shows him that even though I'm getting that dreaded brushing that I used to hate, it is only one time and then it is OVER - I can take that and besides, I get a treat and then we do something else. No problem! Just do that single stroke brushing/treat a few times a day with a good, juicy treat each time, toss a ball or start a play session and he will eventually allow you to brush him a few times and slowly but surely work up to longer sessions. In time, if you go slowly enough and make him comfortable enough around it over a long, slow period of desensitization where he is not threatened by it but slowly allowed to grow used to it just being around and eventually on him, touching him briefly for treats, he should be able to tolerate brief brushing after a while and then longer brushings until it is just another part of his day. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

08-03-2013, 04:21 PM	#6
Marhcarter ♡Huey's Human♡ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ringgold, Ga Posts: 3,333	Huey hates being brushed but has no dislike of the brush itself. In fact, he likes to grab it and run off so I can't use it on him! He can become a snarling monster while being brushed, but it is in direct relation to how many tangles he had. A great help to me was buying a grooming table. That way I'm not trying to hold him with one hand...I can use that hand to hold the tangled area at the base to prevent pulling. Grooming is also accompanied by many kisses and treats (he gives me kisses, I give him treats) You said your groomer threatened to muzzle Buddy? I would find a different groomer who will be patient and help with teaching him to stand still during grooming. A rough groomer or one who is in a hurry can undo any progress you make in a matter of minutes. I would "interview" any prospective groomer and see if you can schedule a double appointment window so they can take the time to get it done in a calm, unhurried manner. Good luck! __________________ Huey's mom, Marilyn :When a day starts & ends with puppy kisses, I can handle anything that comes in between! Last edited by Marhcarter; 08-03-2013 at 04:23 PM.

08-05-2013, 10:17 AM	#9
mimimomo Don't Litter Spay&Neuter Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,874	Jeanie gives some very good training advice! I have one that tends to tangle, he has soft cottony coat. When I'm brushing him & encounter a tangle, he'll attack the brush, he's very sensitive! So I have to go in w/a small blunt nosed scissor & snip the tangle off. He has so much hair, can't tell that any hair is missing. __________________ Jenny Mimi Momo Princess Turbo Madan Pin Brush: www.toplinepet.com

08-02-2013, 11:47 AM	#4
buddytheyorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: ireland Posts: 112	thanks for the advice

08-03-2013, 04:52 PM	#7
Sandysbabies YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,234	I took it really slow and easy with Kayla. I would tell her how pretty she was and brush her tummy and say, Ohhhhh that feels so good. Now I can say, Kayla, you want to be brushed?? She will come flyin'. Good luck. Just take it slow.

08-05-2013, 10:28 AM	#10
Alora Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hayden, ID Posts: 754	There has already been great advice given, but I thought I would add how I got Henri used to brushing. I started with a natural bristle brush and started brushing for only a couple of minutes a day, he would bite at it and all but I was persistent. I would talk sweet to him during the process and then give him a treat when done, I would let him sit in my lap during brushing. Henri eventually got used to that brush so I moved on to the metal comb and then the pin brush. Don't introduce multiple grooming tools at once, get him used to them one at a time. Now I can brush Henri anytime and anywhere (he no longer needs to be in my lap, he will just sit there nicely while I brush him), he loves it! He gets excited when I bring the brushes out. I hope this helps and good luck! __________________ www.HugaPUPs.com *For the love of pups* Last edited by Alora; 08-05-2013 at 10:29 AM.

08-05-2013, 11:25 AM	#11
Hrossen11 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Central california Posts: 799	Teddy hated hated hated grooming. I had him clipped short and started over. We began slowly. A few strokes of the brush/comb and then a piece of boiled chicken. We spent this way for a month slowly increasing the number of strokes and rubbing all over his body. Finally a few months later he tolerates being groomed. I probably spend about thirty minutes a day grooming him. He still does not like groomer (groom to fast and pull his fur) but I can clip and trim him slowly a little at a time. The key is to take it slow, move at their pace, reward, and be patient.

08-05-2013, 11:27 AM	#12
buddytheyorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: ireland Posts: 112	thanks for all the tips and advice

08-05-2013, 11:34 AM	#13
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,866	Whatever you do, don't snag a knot! Brush slowly and gently, and apologize if you pull his hair. (I am being very serious... apologies work wonders) __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

08-05-2013, 11:40 AM	#14
Magnus Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,192	I'd hold a jerky and let Magnus/Zoey nibble on them while I gently/slowly start brushing. I either start off from the tail end or the side. If they react to the brush like biting, I take the treat away. Let him/her relax a bit and offer the treat then start brushing again. I think talking to them helps. After all is done, they get rest of the treat. It took few months with consistancy. They still don't love being groomed but they behave. Just be patient and I'm sure Buddy will come around. I used to "wrestle" with Magnus when I first started brushing him. Took me over an hour just to do a general brushing on him. Now, takes me maybe 15-20 min. But that's because I frisk him for ticks, wipe, detailed brush/comb, spritz with conditioner.

08-06-2013, 03:50 AM	#15
bubbleh1 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Suffolk, VA, USA Posts: 48	My yorkie is 11 weeks old, at what age is a good time to start brushing him?