Okay I need some grooming help!
 

My dog is only 9 weeks old. She hates the comb! She bites at my fingers and the comb and growls and if I tug even a tiny bit she flips out. I have been to dog shows and seen how happy the little yorkies are to sit and be groomed. How in the world did the owners get their dogs so well behaved during the grooming? I have maltese so I am not new to getting them used to the grooming, I have just never had such a feisty little thing! I need some tips to start now on getting her to calm down about it. Also, has anyone ever put bitter apple on their fingers to get them to stop gnawing on your fingers? Did it work?
Thanks for any info...
Jodi

I have been introducing Bodhi to the brush when he first wakes up from his afternoon nap. :sleep: He's still groggy. Tee hee! :wink: Tricky Mom!

That's when I[list][*]clean his eyes[*]massage him[*]rub his teeth (preparing for oral hygeine)[/list]I got several more strokes at the park today when he was distracted, but around his face? No way! Yet....

:lovewings I hope our puppies realize that being brushed is just another time of attention.

Hi, my baby is 15 weeks old, I got her when she was 8 weeks.

I started to brush coat and teeth immediately, but I do it as she is falling asleep for a short snooze. For some reason, she comes to me when she is tired, and I snuggle her then, and then its possible to do our "daily hygiene".

Presently, she lets me brush, while we watch TV. So, give it time, she WILL get use to it, but dont miss a day, be consistent.

As for the biting, I just use a firm NO!, as some have advised on this forum, its getting better too. Now she only bites, playfully, but not enough to puncture, if she crosses the line, I immediately put her down, and repeat a firm NO BITE.

NOW...if we could only get across the puddles are suppose to be made OUTDOORS!!! :aimeeyork


Scratchies to all the babies...
Chelsea'sMom

I also got Gracie when she was 8 weeks and have had her groomed regularly since and she is still fiesty with the lady that does the grooming everytime! With me she is pretty tricky as I brush she is either biting on the end or coming after me. She also learned that when I am doing her belly to kick her back legs so I cant brush lol Lately I have been putting her on an old fold up table that I have had downstairs..since she is unfamiliar with the table she seems to do better. I was brushing her either on the floor or couch almost wherever we land but with putting her in a less comfortable enviroment she seems to be calm. Maybe try putting her on a table with a towel down and see how that works out.

Dogs learn thru association,...associate the grooming/brushing with something pleasurable for your yorkie...

Snoodles is just over a year old, and I have brushed her every day since I got her at 4 months! She is a bugger! The back is okay, but the legs, face, belly, is just a struggle! She lets me brush her top and put in the bow, though. I really don't know what the answer is. She always gets a treat after, and praise---although some days I feel like killing herl lol. Same with toe nail clipping or cutting! She can be sound asleep on my lap, and I reach over for the sissors, and wide awake and jumping off lap. :( She lets me pull the hair out of her ears really well, so go figure? It is beyond my comprehension! :confused: I really don't think she will ever tolerate it nicely! She's a little brat! Ha! Ha!
I had a really close call this morning! She was bathed, teeth cleaned, hair out of ears and then cleaned, and rolled up in a towel. I held her for quite a while, and was sitting at the kitchen table. Went to unwrap her to comb her, and she slipped out of my hands. She did a complete somersault, and landed on her feet. My heart was beating so fast, I thought I would have a stroke! She was so wiggly and fast, I couldn't believe it! Things happen in a split second! It is scary! If my husband had done that, I would have been really mad at him, not that I am happy with myself! At least I learned a valuable lesson! :eek:
Pat

Reagan is about 5 1/2 mths now and is actually pretty good about grooming. I sit in a recliner with my legs together and her on her back in the groove between my legs to get to her belly and legs. Whenever she tries to wiggle away I'll just put my hand on her belly to hold her and tell her no, most of the time she just falls asleep. She has learned to sit still for me to put her hair up in a bow as well. One thing you can try is find a treat that she/he really likes and use it only for grooming/bath time. Then it becomes a speical time b/c they get that special treat. The best time I've found to groom her is when my favorite TV show is on, that way I'm not in a hurry because I'm going to be there for a while anyway.
Courtney

Snoodles will not lay on her back on my lap for nothing! If she wants her belly scratched, she will stand on my arm for me to reach under and tickle it. She probably knows if she lays on her back, she will get a little brushing! Ha! They are so smart!

I wish I had the solution as well, my 15 week old will not be still for nothing, biting at the brush trying to get it away from me. I get a couple of "swipes" in, but no real grooming going on here.

I got him a harness this past weekend, he won't even come near me so i can attempt to put it on him, he just darts at my hands that are holding the harness and trys to bite the harness. So frustrating as I want to start taking him for walks since he's finishing up his last set of shots this coming weekend.

What's a mom to do???