Grooming Issues
 

Hello!

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me out?

My lil pup Teddy is now approaching 7 months old and has so far been groomed twice - once at 4 months second time yesterday.

The thing is he absolutely detests this process. On the first occasion I took him to a groomers where he came back smelling of cigarettes and also had inherited a lodger (a flea)! Resulting in me having to treat the whole house etc! And making me extremely paranoid!

On the 2nd occasion - last night - a new groomer came and did his cut at my house. However Teddy hated every second and on the end I had to help the gentleman hold him. It's safe to say this was a disaster as the groomer cut Teddy's ear with the thinning scissors ultimately resulting in a rush to the emergency vet, anaesthetic, an overnight stay and a bill of £250 for the pleasure!

How am I going to get Teddy used to grooming? He has to have it done but he hates the comb more than anything! And was screaming last night even before the cut! I don't want him having long hair I want a short cut to the body and a square face. Nice and neat and boy-like - which obviously requires a groomer as I can't do this myself!

Has anyone gone through a similar experience? Can anyone give me some tips? Should I treat him on my lap as I comb him daily?

Hellllpppppp!!!!!!

Poor little Teds!

x:confused:

Yes I would start combing him daily. Treats are a very good way. But he must do exactly what you want to receive the treat. Small steps at first. Use something he loves for the treat. And something he usually doesn't get. This will make it special.

I would really think about grooming him yourself. It will take sometime now if he ended up at the vets because of it. so be very very patient with him.

Hi Horsnaround,

Thank you for responding!

I collected him this evening so think I am going to how it a break tonight but wondered whether I could slowly incorporate the combing in to one the daily rituals? Say, after his dinner? He loves food so I think he would be happy to get treats...if I start off just with combs on his body and then slowly extend his legs and work on his chest as his confidence builds maybe this will help? He was more resistant aroun his chest/face and front legs which maybe suggests that he feels more vulnerable in these areas?

The vet trip was awful and I was trying not to cry as didnt want to make the groomer feel any worse but also inside was so upset for my little man!

Not good!!!

x

Hi Horsnaround,

Thanks for coming back to me!

I was thinking about incorporating daily combing in to some part of his routine? Either before or after his tea??? And give positive reinforcement through treats...as he will do anything for a treat. I've even got him to run to his little area under the stair when I give him a treat by saying "where do you go?!" And he'll then run off to the little "room" he has an waits for me to bring the treat to him. So I think this could be done in time!

He is very stubborn by nature and last night I witnessed just how much of a fight he will put up. He didn't try to bite the groomer just attack the hairdryer, comb and scissors!!! He was so close to being finished when the accident happened which frightened me senseless! And must have done worse to him.

He's home from the vets now and seems his normal self. I guess I am going to have to be extremely patient with the little man!

x

My dog harley hates grooming too. I cant brush him all at once and the last 2 times he went to the groomer they could not finish him, his cut or nails. He is 14 months now and I have taken him to the groomer several times, every other month since he was 12 weeks. He does let me brush him more than he used to and after a few tries in a day I get through all his coat. I like to keep him cut short since he dont like brushing. I do not know how to get him groomed anymore, maybe ill just keep trying groomers until i find one who knows how to work with stubborn dogs.:animal-pa

My teddy is horrible at groomers so I started positive reinforcement with treats (chicken) he only gets it with grooming. I use the comb on his body and with other hand give him chicken. Then I have a cheap pair of clippers and with longest comb on. We started with me holding clippers in one hand and clippers in other. If he came near me he got chicken. Slowly, we worked our way up to him sitting in my lap me touching clippers on back, him getting chicken. I can now say that yesterday was the first time he would let me comb his whole body and run clippers all over his body except front paws still working on that. We started this process about a month ago.

You ever hear of "Slow and Steady wins the Race" ? Well that is what it will take for you to get you little one use to being groomed. Take it slow, each day brush him and treat him for a job well done. The more you groom him the better behaved he will become and know what is expected of him during grooming sessions.

I have always groomed my own, all four of them. Its a learning process at first. You need to find what works best for you and your pup. I've pretty much mastered it and posted my grooming regiment on my web site. You are welcome to look on my site for grooming tools and how to groom your pup. I hope it helps.

Grooming - Dawn's Yorkies

I am almost 4 years into yorkie ownership and am still working on the perfect grooming process. We sometimes get haircut on the deck sometime standing on the bed over a bunch of towels, and sometimes the chase around the house is on. I just got a grooming table yesterday and am looking forward to the grooming process for the first time in a long time. the difference between mine and yours is mine is badly behaved for me but perfect at the groomers while yours does not like the groomer for obvious reasons, and I want to groom mine at home and you want to send yours to the groomer what a quandary!! :D

grooming issues
 

Are the clippers on while you run them over him? My harley hates just the noise of them.

My pups are find with the clippers now, but it did take some getting use to since I just started shaving them these past few yrs. I started by letting them see the clippers (off) than I touch their fave, body and legs with them (still off) for a few minutes before turning them on to start shaving. They have come a long way since I first started. It helps if you have a better quality pair of clippers they are less noisy and dont pull their hair. The difference between prof pair and off the shelf pair is amazing. " They cut like butta' " To start with a freshly bathed pup also helps.

I have been through the same thing. After his first 3 or 4 grooming sessions, Raley no longer has grooming anxiety. He is just over 3 years old now. The first groomer we used cut one of his toenails REALLY short and I believe that is what caused his fear. We changed groomers and for 2 years used the same one. I started a new job 8 months ago that requires me to live 2 hours away from "home" when I work...so I had to find another groomer. I was scared to death for Raley but he has been groomed twice there now and done great both times!

Give it some time. It may be you finding a groomer that your puppy feels more comfortable with. Or, it could be that your little one had a bad experience. I agree with the other ladies about brushing/combing daily. Keep in mind that puppies aren't born with the knowledge of "grooming". It is something that they learn to tolerate and eventually enjoy!

Good luck!