Beyond frustration with brushing, please help

[hviola]

As soon as I start brushing Triss (12 weeks old) she wiggles and wriggles and thrashes until she gets out of my arms. Ive tried giving her treats while doing it and even tried letting her eat some soft food while doing it. Ive even had my husband try to hold her and he cant. Ive tried doing it when shes tired. It took me over2 hours yesterday to get her eye boogers out because I just couldnt restrain her and work. I don't know what to do. Ive been trying to brush her every day since I got her. She is starting to get mats on her belly and legs and look scraggly. This is getting out of hand, please help.

[romeos mommy]

romeo hated being brushed. that's why he has a puppy cut year round.

[cheeselover8481]

Practice holding her on her back. She'll hate it at first, but the key is not to put her down when she wiggles to get down. Keep her on her back until she stops wiggling. If she manages to flip herself over put her on her back again and put her down once she stops wiggling. Once she stops wiggling, hold her a little longer then put her down. Keep doing this until she's used to being held on her back for a long time. We did this and now I hold Rosie on her back for brushing her hair, brushing her teeth, and clipping her nails. She loves it and falls asleep in our arms on her back. Hang in ther. It'll take some time.

[RONLYNN]

I always brush Teddi on the bathroom counter. When I put her up there she knows what to do. I think because it is like going to the groomers so she knows she had to stand there and get groomed.

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by cheeselover8481

Practice holding her on her back. She'll hate it at first, but the key is not to put her down when she wiggles to get down. Keep her on her back until she stops wiggling. If she manages to flip herself over put her on her back again and put her down once she stops wiggling. Once she stops wiggling, hold her a little longer then put her down. Keep doing this until she's used to being held on her back for a long time. We did this and now I hold Rosie on her back for brushing her hair, brushing her teeth, and clipping her nails. She loves it and falls asleep in our arms on her back. Hang in ther. It'll take some time.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Originally Posted by RONLYNN

I always brush Teddi on the bathroom counter. When I put her up there she knows what to do. I think because it is like going to the groomers so she knows she had to stand there and get groomed.

I read that you should have a place that you do the grooming type of activities so they know that's what to expect and eventually they will settle into a routine of it. I bought a little plastic lap type tabletop from Michael's because I sit on the floor when I groom Hot Rod. It will just take time...eventually it will get easier.

[barbiesMoMmY]

barbie is STILL that way and she's 1 yr. old. i brush her every single day whether she likes it or not. my groomer said "she'll get used to it you just gotta keep going." i however, am still waiting for her to get used to it. she acts like its the end of the world. usually i have hubby stand in front of her and talk to her while i do it... the only thing i can say is... they are long haired dogs so they pretty much have to deal with it.

[Miss Magoo]

I'm going to have to try that...Bella likes to look pretty but it takes me a good 45 minutes to get her settled enough to be brushed. After I'm done she's fine, but just at the beginning she hates it.

Does anyone have any suggestions about the face area? That my biggest problem...the rest is manageable - the face on the other hand is all out battle of the wills between Bella and I.

[eaglez28]

Maybe try wrapping her in a towel with only her head sticking out to clean her little face.
I have had to do it a few times with new lil ones.
Good Luck!

[jadecomputergal]

Just to throw another one in...

My hubby and I watch a movie every night while we eat, but of course the movie takes longer than eating dinner. We bring the dogs on the couch and they camp out, and we just gently brush them then while they're relaxed and just happy to be with their people. They tried to bite at the brushes when they were younger, but now they often sleep through it.

As far as mats go, only one of ours gets mats. She was badly bred and was a rescue, so her hair is very coarse rather than silky like better-quality Yorkies. I use a mat breaker (available at any pet store) for tiny tangles, but I put coat conditioner on to try to work out any that aren't tiny. I never have any very large mats, but if you get those, it's better to just carefully clip them out if you can't work them out gently. If the dog is already skittish about brushing, you'll make it even more skittish if you are yanking on a mat to remove it.

[Roseanderson]

OMG I am a little thankful to see that I am not the only one having my puppy settle for grooming. I will try some of the tips here. Thanks guys.

[hviola]

The hair on her back is very soft and cottony which seems to mat easy. The hair on her head is very silky and smooth and I dont have a lot of problems with that except the eye goobs.

How long does it normally take for her coat on her body to come in?

Her head is almost all silver and silky now with black tips. (She should have a silky coat later, both her parents had a full silky coat.) Heres a picture that I took yesterday. For some reason, she didnt fight me putting in the barrette.

[eaglez28]

Here is a link to a thread i started when Stormy was 4 mths old with TANGLES!!!
Please read through it - you will find the info given to me VERY HELPFUL!!!

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...les-roots.html

[zaknnana]

How cute is that barrette!!lol She is so pretty!! Where did you get those?? I think that might be easier to put in than the band kind?? THANKS!! I will try anything at this point!!

[hviola]

They are just kids no slip barrettes I got from walmart in the hair stuff section. They just bend into place and dont pull like a rubber band.