[gracielove]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

They all fight & fuss & play with everything at first. With time, some maturity & your telling her "uh oh" or "no" when she gets too frisky, along with your usual dog training that goes with getting a new dog, she will settle down & accept grooming as a part of life. Keep each session very short. Praise & treat when done. I bathe my small dogs in the kitchen sink, clean/disinfect it afterward. They fight the bath but keep yourself calm, hold her firmly as you hold her & soap, rinse, keep wiping her eyes & nose so she won't think she is drowning at first & myself, I put on calming music & speak little during the bath, letting my hands calm the dog by gently but firmly holding it & stroking, massaging as I stay relaxed. Does tend to calm them - firm, gentle hands. My Tibbe stands still, quiet & often closes his eyes during his bath he is so at ease - and he fought, clawed & bit at me like a tiger when I first tried to bathe him, he was so cage-crazy back then. Time & patience has worked its magic with him.

Oh, yes! I forgot about the ever important treat at the end of every grooming session! Gracie got used to be combed everyday but hated the topknot part until I started giving her a treat after we were done. While she would take off to play after a grooming session before, now she stays and waits for the treat! It takes time and patience. Noting happens overnight.