First brushing didn't go well :(
 

I decided its time to start getting my almost 5 month old, Leo used to being brushed. I researched for the right brush and went and bought one. I brushed Zoey, my 5.5 yr old yorkie in front of Leo, thinking maybe he'd be interested instead of afraid. I had a bunch of treats on me, too. I let Leo sniff the brush then I praised him and gave him a treat. I touched him lightly with it, and praised him. I brushed him once and he seemed okay so I praised him. I kept doing this, but once I got to his legs he started making noises like someone was killing him. Then he started growling, and he but my hand really hard a few times and I have some lovely teeth marks and a bloody bite on my hand. I tried to sooth him by rubbing his neck..I kept praising him as I touched him with the brush, but he started to freak out more. He had/has some tangles in his chest and legs. I tried to get them out bit no matter how gentle and how much I gave him treats he freaked out and bit me. Bad first experience..Zoey never acted like that.:confused:

I think puppies are a bit more sensitive to hair pulling (when you snag a knot or a mat). Do you use a coat detangling spray for brushing? Baby powder or cornstarch works well also to help get the knots out. I also hold the hair against the skin when I brush to help not pull the hair...

What an awful experience, sorry to her that. I believe ideally you begin the brushing regimen from day one so that they are used to it by the time their hair is longer and tanglier- that said, it doesn't always end up that way does it? My girl who just turned one, is finally settling down about her grooming. I had images of calm nights rocking in a chair brushing my sweet relaxed dog with a beautiful topknot, lol, what I got was teeth attacking hairbrush wiggliness! I do worry that he bit YOU though :( I had researched which brush to use also and despite what I read, the slicker style kitten brush hurt lilah- I know it did. It was sharp and she hated it. I thought I would pre brush with that and finish with the standard long haired toy breed metal comb. Now I use a bristle boar brush for general brushing which is soft and she is comfortable with and I use her metal comb to gently work through any tangles and comb her mustache and top knit hair. Which I'll be darned if she doesn't mange to get out any band or pretty bow in a matter of minutes. I'm still dreaming of that calm scene grooming my girl- we are getting there. In the meantime perhaps your guy with a soft brush and lots of treats and soothing words will acclimate to short stints of brushing that end on a positive note. I look forward t hearing from the experts!

my girl is ok when I brush her head and body but freaks when I brush her legs and feet….and if there is a tangle on there too…oh boy! She is not happy lol

So I do her head, body, one leg…then take a short break….then the other…etc

She hasn't bitten me hard but does bite at me, mostly bites the brush /comb though (not in a mean way, just like in a a "quit doing that!" way iykwim)

My boys freak out when I encounter a tangle. Momo will attack the brush or comb & Turbo will crawl up my arm loll! I have to be super gentle & if it's a tangle I can't work out gently, I just snip it off w/blunt nosed scissors. I spray a detangling spray directly on the tangle 1st & work out the mat as best as I can w/my fingers by breaking it apart & what's left is the tiny matted mass, that gets cut off. Then I brush it smooth again.

Curious, what kind of brush did you get?

UPDATE; day 2 went better. I held a piece of Blue Buffalo turkey jerky as I brushed him, I also praised him and told him what a good boy he was. I did only brush him for about 5 minutes. I figured I'll go about it slowly over the next few weeks.