Well Joey didn't like it as a puppy; I had to train him to like it. There are some hair dryers that are much quieter than others, and these help, but always use it on the low setting. I gave him lots of treats while grooming, and our early sessions were short. Puppy's mat more than older dogs, and I recommend Cowboy Magic detangler for that, but some people say corn starch works well. Mats are much more difficult to get out if wet, so I used the cowboy magic before the bath, and made sure all mats were out before wetting hair. Mats hurt, and you should be slow and patient getting them out. There are certain areas that you'll learn to pay extra attention to, especially if he wears clothes.
If you brush every day they are less likely to have bad mats. I use metal brushes and combs because he bit them too. Tell him no, when he does this, and praise him when he's good. Make sure water temperature isn't too hot, and always test on the inside of your arm. Error on the side of coolness because puppies can't handle water that's too hot. After bathing, I would warm a towel in the microwave and wrap him in that, and he just veggies out for a few minutes. I turn the hair dryer on and unwrap the bottom of the towel, and start drying him, at some point he gets up and rubs his body over all the towels on the counter, finally settling down, and letting me finish the drying. Groom a little each day, and make it a pleasant experience. If your puppy's hair is really bad at matting you might want to keep him in a shorter style. |