Growling when brushing
He was mostly shaved at the shelter he was at and then needed his head shaved and it was severly matted when he was rescued. Now, onto the problem. When I try to brush him he growls and snaps alittle. Anyway I can help with this? Is it maybe cause his skin is sensative from being so matted? Help, I want to get him used to it. |
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| I would think that maybe his skin just isn't used to being groomed so he's more sensitive to the process.
I would start real slow. Pick a time when he's relaxed... maybe in the evening in front of the TV? Make a special item for just the two of you. Start out with very brief grooming sessions and go from there. You might just start with a wide toothed comb to go through the motions of grooming... as you would with a new puppy. I like The Untangler for puppy "grooming" http://www.theuntangler.com because the teeth are smooth, rounded, they swivel and are easy on the skin. Of course you won't get much accomplished but with his super short coat you don't NEED to. As he gets used to the process, you might again introduce the brush. You might try giving him tiny, fabulous treats while you work... treats he only gets when he's being brushed. It's going to be about building trust... he's a rescue sheepie so he needs time to settle in and to learn what's expected of him. This grooming routine is probably foreign to him (that felt "hat" he had probably hadn't been brushed in a quite a while  ).
Is he's a resource guarder? If not, you might consider some type of chew. This is how I got Panda to hold still during the process... she didn't growl but she was super squirmy and kept trying depart.  (Her adoption description said she LOVED to be groomed... HA!) As soon as the grooming was over, the chew went away until the next time. But again, it depends if he's a type that gets too focused on a chew because that could cause a whole 'nother problem.
I'm sure others will post more ideas soon. Good luck! |
| One thing that surprises me as I read through the various notes on this forum is that nobody ever suggests just sitting on the floor and getting comfortably dirty with your dog(s) . I've had dogs of various flavours for 58 years (yup I'm now 66 ) and have ALWAYS done so . It makes them much more comfortable with who you are and where they fit into the scheme of life at your place without threatening them . If all you ever do is issue commands from on high then there's no wonder your woofers dont want to play along .If you're unwilling or (I HOPE NOT !!) afraid to do so then you dont deserve a dog's trust.
Whatever you do , do NOT chase a dog with a brush or comb in your hand -you make it either a weapon or a toy if you do !! Brushing problem ? combing problem ? Never . Put your butt on the floor and leave the brush in the cupboard . Get your woofer to come to you and simply lay their head on your legs . Rub them ALL OVER !! with your fingers .Every single square inch -yes !! including 'those' bits ...they're NOT going to tell the neighbors or the police . THE most important thing a dog needs to learn is that you and (S)he are going to be comfortable with each other -until then , NOTHING is going to happen between you . You can scream and shout (which proves to the dog that you're a fool !) , jump up and down but (s)he'll not be impressed until your face has been licked like an ice-cream cone and their bellies and sexy-bits have been stroked while they fall asleep on your legs . Remember (s)he can smell you far better than you can smell them and that sense is one they have used to survive despite mankind for millions of years , so they MUST get comfy with how you smell FIRST .......and not just your feet !! Ever noticed which 'bits' dogs sniff first when greeting one another ?? It aint for the Chanel #5 , it's so they can recognise one another . You dont need to sniff , but your dog NEEDS to trust your smell !! Once you've reached that point of comfort -and it may take a while -then get the comb or brush out , sit on the floor , have your treasure come and sit between your legs facing you . ALL dogs have two "cant reach " places on their bodies .......just in front of their tail and between their front legs on their breast-bone . When your dog is facing you sitting on the floor you are perfectly positioned to scratch, brush or comb one of those spots ......at which point you have made a friend for life (my Great Pyrenees falls asleep sitting upright when rubbed there !) and started them on the road to accepting that doing what you want them to do is really not all that bad after all .There must be NO DOUBT who is in charge -you!!- but that doesnt mean you cant be friends, does it ? After floor-sitting for a while you can move your butt onto a narrow chair , get your comb and comb that spot in front of the tail .....forget about the face for now (s)he WANTS that tail-spot combed to scratch an itch .........suddenly you are a double-friend for life and can pretty much guarantee that brushing and combing from then on will be a relaxing experience for you both (BUT for the dog FIRST !!) . I have three longhaired dogs and they scramble to be first on the grooming table when I take the bucket of combs over to the barn ....and the above method is how it all started . I'm certain there'll be a troop of trainers descend on me (from above ??) screaming "Never get on the floor while training " .............sorry folks , brushing is FUN time ,not training . This approach really works , just put on your grubbies and get that butt on the floor !! Let me know (privately if u prefer) that it works -or doesnt-for you both ...you ARE a team arent you ?? |
| Down to the basics of enjoying peaceful trust and comfort.....
I love it.... 
(except I don't think you will get me to rub Bosley's "parts'. That line I will not cross..  )
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| Yeah, I'm down on the floor with my dogs. And I'm not shy about grooming 'down there' when needed. In fact, I once read a training book that suggested cradling a (male) dog's testicles to reassure him. Mine are neutered, so that 's not an issue. Having had to remove more than a few 'dingleberries,' private areas on dogs are actually not such a big deal. Neither of us feels violated.
I see grooming time as down time for all of us: I watch the news or something while stroking my babies and brushing them, but the stroking part is the most important part. It allows me to know if anyone has a bump or a tiny stick or twig or even a tick! It builds trust and confidence so that should any of my dogs need me--or a vet! to tend to their more sensitive areas, they are familiar with being handled. |
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