Quote:
Originally Posted by chattiesmom  I am sure that my ideas will be a bit different than most. A groomer's job is to groom -- not to train a dog to be groomed. Training a dog to accept grooming is the owner's responsibility. Your little guy should be trained to accept all grooming politely before he goes to his new groomer.
You can easily teach him to accept grooming politely by taking it in teeny tiny baby steps. At first work with him when he's tired and sleepy. The first step is to get to a point where you can "finger comb" him without complaint. Run your fingers down his side quickly, once and praise the heck out of him, give a small treat. The object is to "groom him" withot him realizing that you are grooming him. He will get the idea that "finger combing" is a good thing filled with lots of rewards and treats. Progress fromt here to using a comb just ONE quick stroke, and a treat and STOP. It is very important that they learn that their is an END to activities that they are unsure about.
Proceed in this manner until you can brush him thoroughly -- have several lessons each day and make each one short.
You will be surprised at how quickly your little grooming terror will be a grooming lover. |
I have to agree with this 100%. When Pebbles was 5 months old she was rehomed to me from a friend and had never been brush, combed or to a groomer. Not knowing any better I took her over to Petsmart
for her first grooming which didn't work out so well. I was called back to the store by the groomer who then proceeded to show me what a horrible puppy that I had and that she needed a dog psychiatrist and would not be allowed back. I left there in tears thinking that I made the worst mistake of my life taking Pebbles into my home. I knew that being a Yorkie she needed to be groomed on a regular basis so I started working with her. Several times a day I would pick up up and place her in a bath towel on top of the washer in my laundry room. With treats in my pocket I first just touched her all over her body. I rubbed her ears, between her toes, up and down the sides of her body. All the while doing the praising and treats. At first I would only do this for about a minute each time. At 5 months they are young and have a very short attention span so you don't want to push it too much. Then after a few days I started to use the comb on her. Very gently and praising all the while. If I came to a knot I would use my fingers to untangle if I was able to . After a few more days I then started with a brush working my way up with the amount of time I worked with her. During this few weeks I found a NEW groomer who had experience with grooming and breeding Yorkies. I told her about my experience at Petsmart and she was shocked a the treatment that they had given to my baby. I also assured her that I had been working with her giving weekly baths and even blow drying her hair. I made an appointment and she hand scissored her the first time and I told her that I didn't expect miracles with her first few groomings. Each time I took her she was better and better. Now she will jump on my lap and I can brush her for hours. She loved to be brushed and combed and even falls asleep now. The groomer always tells me that she is one of her best customers and the most well behaved.
So as you can see it is entirely possible to get from were you are now to having a super star at the groomers. Just take your time and go slowly. Do not try to brush or comb her on the couch. You need to set a place were she know that she needs to behave a certain way because she is being groomed.
I would also suggest putting together a little basket of grooming supplies. Brushes, combs, rubberbands, bows, any sprays all in one little caddy so that you have everything together. I promise that if you work with her she will come around too. NEVER LET A GROOMER DRUG YOUR DOG! Ugh!!!!! Make my head want to explode
