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10-14-2010, 02:37 PM | #1 |
Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Council Bluffs IA USA
Posts: 44
| Grooming We have had Smokie for about a year. He was around 8-9 months old when we got him. I've tried taking him to the groomer, and well known one, and she said she could barely do anything with him. I decided I would try to groom him myself. Sometime before we got him, someone hurt him, I just know it. I can have the brush out and pick up the scissors and he's either gone, or if I hold him, he shakes til I can't stand it. He is literally scared to death of being groomed. He loves his baths, and will let me use the pedipaws on his nails, and I have one of those brushes with the razors attached, but I am considering speaking to the vet about a sedative while he is actually groomed. I just know someone abused him before he came to us, and I'd give anything to know who and what they did. You would think by now Smokie would have forgotten about it, but he hasn't. And I can't put him through all the terror he goes through over it. But I really want him groomed properly. There are some things I get done, the absolutes with my husbands help, but we have to put his harness on him and nearly hogtie him. Any suggestions? He is as sweet as can be. Other than this he minds really well and he is as loving as can be. Thanks! Reva |
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10-16-2010, 05:43 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Before giving him sedatives for grooming I would continue trying. Working with rescue I've groomed many dogs that either weren't used to grooming or had been abused while grooming. It's not easy and takes lots of patience, consistent, and gentle handling. I don't know exactly what you've done or used in the past but get a good grooming brush and comb. I use several brushes and combs during a grooming session but you can get away with one good comb and one good brush for now. Recommendations - Chris Christensen, pin brush or wooden pin brush, a good metal comb, mine is teflon coated bought from :Dog Bows: Yorkie Bows, Maltese and Shih Tzu Show Dog Bows & Show Leads Another vendor ( mimimomo) here on YT sells Madan brushes and you might prefer one of those brushes. she also offers combs but I don't know if she has the teflon kind like I linked to above. But, I would strongly suggest the teflon comb...mine has paid for itself many times over! With dogs that fight grooming, I start out with them in my lap(sometimes sitting on the floor for better control). I talk to them with encouraging praise in a gentle voice while I brush/comb. Initially I make the sessions as short as possible. You can also try giving a treat while grooming. Try to make grooming sessions pleasant and fun, not frustrating and stressful. It takes awhile to undo the damage someone has created, but he will learn to trust you, given enough time and patience from you.
__________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~ |
10-16-2010, 09:49 AM | #3 |
Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Council Bluffs IA USA
Posts: 44
| Thank you From what you have said, it appears I am doing the right thing. After a bath, I keep him in the bathroom on the floor in front of the mirror where he can see what I am doing. I do give him treats periodically, talk to him, tell him how handsome he is, and when I see he has absolutely had enough for now I give him a break. Sometimes we set on the bed on his blanket after I have dried him. As for daily brushing and combing him, he loves that part. He could stand being brushed all day. I've been working with him about a year now, and he still will shake and cry and do everything he can to get away when he sees a pair of scissors. I suppose as long as he is clean happy and healthy that matters more than him looking like some of the Yorkies look - so cute - when they first come out of the groomers. My daughter, a vet tech, taught me how to get the hair out of his ears, and I keep his eyes clean. Thank you for your response. I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. One day he will realize the scissors won't hurt him ever again. We love him too much to hurt him in any way. Reva |
10-16-2010, 10:14 AM | #4 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| I think youve been given good advice I just wanted to tell you I have one that I know hasnt been abused during a grooming but he still doesnt like groomings. We found a groomer who is gentle with him and we always go to her since she is aware of how he is and knows how to handle him. We also get him groomed every 3 months so he is used to going and hes gotten alot better. He still wont let us groom him but he will let her so thats whats important. The very first groomer we took him to before we found this one said she would never groom him again because he was unmanagable so he has made great strides. It is so important to find the right groomer
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
10-16-2010, 12:14 PM | #5 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,795
| I haven't worked with a rescue dog on grooming, but we had a rescue horse that could actually balance on 1 leg to kick you, she was sooo scared. It took about 5 months to get close to her, and we ended up having to re-home her, because our barn wasn't a safe atmosphere (too many kids). With dogs, you have to be just as patient. treats are wonderful, and making sure that you are slow and careful. Getting them used to each individual tool being used, and being handled the way groomers handle them (ie, moving quickly if you have to untangle knots etc). Good luck. It's always nice when people realize that these little ones are scared (because of past experiences) rather than coming to the conclusion that they are just bad. Keep us posted.
__________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love! |
10-18-2010, 12:34 AM | #6 |
Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Council Bluffs IA USA
Posts: 44
| Smokie has been doing much better lately. Every day I keep working with him. I live on a very limited budget, so if I can groom him myself, that would be so awesome. Seems like as if he knows I've been talking to y'all, cause since I posted on here, he has been calming down. One thing I didn't mention earlier, this past summer I went thru cancer treatments and could barely brush him. So he went for a period of not having to be groomed in any way because I was so sick. Now that I am doing better, and being persistent, he is becoming more patient. He actually let me use the scissors today! Woo Hoo! Just a couple spots. Didn't want to push it. We will do more tomorrow. Of course, he loves the belly rubs and oh you good baby and an extra treat or two. When he runs off, I tried telling him - bad dog, put up the treats and just ignored him when he came back. I wasn't sure of what his reaction would be, but it worked. He came back shortly and was ready for a little more primping. My camera needs batteries, but soon as I get some, I get a picture of the little squirt up for all of you to see. Thanks for your encouragement! Reva |
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