growling, biting & increasingly aggressive during groomi
She's a bit aggressive when you enter the any of the gates in our yard she jumps and barks at you very aggressively. But by far grooming is the main problem it is a nightmare that just keeps getting worse. She wears a muzzle now but she even tries to bite me through the muzzle. She hates having any part of her body brushed, but expecially her belly & paws. At the end i am able to take off the muzzle & comb her head and ears with out a problem. I stopped giving her treats after because her behavior is so agressive. With all my other sheepdogs, they loved grooming and usually fell asleep during the process. I loved letting them grow their coats but I have to keep Daisy's hair so short due to this problem. Should I ask the vet for medication? I hope you have some ideas. Thanks, Daisy2421 |
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| It sounds like things have escalated. It's time for a session with a professional trainer that is experienced in handling aggressive dogs using a kind approach. I'd also make an appointment with the vet to discuss this behavior, possible medication and to have her completely checked over. Also consider a thyroid test if one has not been done recently.
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-ang ... hyroid.htm http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-ang ... havior.htm I am NOT a professional trainer... Whether the following can even be attempted depends on whether the dog has any guarding issues. Only you know your dog's temperament and whether this might work. If a muzzle must be in place at all times during grooming or if your girl doesn't really care for chews, it won't work. You might exercise her before grooming to relieve some of the tension and energy. We don't give ours rawhide chews anymore but I've used them in the past. They can be great distractions or "pacifiers" while brushing out legs and feet. As soon as the grooming was over, the chew was removed by offering a tastier treat as a swap. IF you think this will work without your getting bit, I'd start very slow. Keeping grooming sessions very short meaning a matter of say 2 minutes, starting with some of the least offensive areas. It's not about what you get accomplished but rather getting through sessions without a confrontation. When the grooming tools go away, it's time to remove the chew by asking her to give it up for a tastier treat... maybe a piece of cooked beef or chicken. No grooming - no chewy. The idea is for her to start looking forward to grooming sessions as something pleasant. I'm sure other will offer you more ideas but remember... most of us are not professional trainers and don't really know your Daisy Mae so proceed with caution. Please keep us posted on how she's doing. |
daisy2421 wrote: ...Should I ask the vet for medication?
Be very careful when using a sedative, even those prescribed by a vet. On the advice of our vet we gave our rescue girl, Sassy, a half-dose of Acepromazine (a.k.a. "Ace") to calm her for a long car ride. I reached for her leash and she grabbed my arm like a shark and would not let go! It was like it happened in slow motion. Ace does calm the dog but if they have any aggressive tendencies, they will still display them while under the influence. They also are not totally aware of what they're doing and can cause an even nastier bite. Try what Jaci has suggested before resorting to drugs. Short, pleasant grooming sessions with your dog using soft brushes. Avoid any tools that will scratch the skin or irritate in any way. Don't even try to comb a mat out for now, work on gaining trust and getting the dog to enjoy the experience and progress from there. Be careful and good luck! |
| My pup is also aggressive, and bites during grooming so I feel your pain! I found that when I muzzle him he gets even more aggressive, so I have stopped doing that.
I handled it by making grooming "fun" and in an excited voice getting the brushes and saying "DO YOU WANT TO GET BRUSHED???" he gets sooo excited and runs to sit in our spot. But the second I start brushing his paws or face he starts biting. So I got a bag of training treats and started by putting the brush on him then running the smooth end down his paws, then lightly brushing, then increasing until I was pullin those matts out! He gets lots and lots and lots of praise/treats DURING brushing. At first I was stoping every time I ran the comb through to give him a treat. He still hates it, but if there is a bag of treats he tolerates it. Now I can usually brush his front legs out without a problem (which is a miracle if you saw where we were just a few months ago). The face is still a fight, but patience is the key. If this doesn't work, then I would try a new trainer and possibly start thinking about keeping Daisy in a very groomable puppy cut. Good luck! |
| If the dog seems to be more agressive when you go to brush her tummy, I wonder if she has a medical problem causing her alittle pain there? I think I would make a vet appointment and discuss it. I think its a bit unusual a dog not liking belly rubs...
The behavior of any dog can change dramatically when there is an underlying medical problem, particularly one that might be causing discomfort or pain so I would check it out to be sure. |
| Personally, I think bribing a dog is a wonderful thing. We use SMALL treats... even their kibble is considered a treat. Needful things that must be accomplished are so much easier if a dog KNOWS there is a payoff for tolerating it.
I give shots... they sit perfectly still... we then head for the kitchen for a treat. I gave Darby a bath this morning... I had treats there for her... she got a couple during the process and a few when we were done. She ran to the bedroom to be blow dried with the noisy dog hair dryer because she knew more treats were coming. I clean out their ears or apply some sort of salve... they get a treat when we're done. I clip their toe nails... when done, they get a treat. I give them a haircut... I give them treats for getting up on the grooming table... two of them will doze but I wake them up to give them a treat. http://oesusa.com/DarbyNapping-Table.jpg Emma had her butt restitched at the vet yesterday... not a peep out of her when they gave her the local or during the process... she came back into the exam room happy as can be looking for her treat. Many times I'll take them into the bedroom so I can tend to just one... I'm often having to block the entrance because others want to come too. There can still be some resistance... Meesha HATES having her nails trimmed. So I take a cooked beef or chicken, tell her down, give her a piece and flip her over between my legs and file the nails down. She tolerates it without fussing but she much prefers NOT to have this done. Then again, she isn't screaming bloody murder at the vet's office anymore either. Are treats always necessary? No. It just leaves both party's happy and they're not running away the next time something needs to be done. |
| my girl was doing the same, on her legs, now I give her something to chew one (chew sticks) and I brush in the evening when everyone is slowing down for the nite. It seems to work. |
| I think Riley was a year old before grooming her became easy. But she loves it now. It took lots of practice and small steps to get there. She seems to have a shorter coat and mats more easily than Bailey or the others did.
I also use the crazy-lady, high-pitched, sickening-sweet voice. Rewards at each step. We started with just having her lay on the quilt (my grooming spot). Then it was laying their quietly while I petted her and played with her ears and feet. Next we added the brush, wrong side against the fur. (Remember the lots of ahhs, that feels so good) Then add a stroke here and one there - remember that voice. We worked our way up to a body section (leg, hip, shoulder, back, etc) Now I can get a full side done before we need a break. My first Sheepie hated the grooming table - and being a b00bie to using them I wasn't able to get her comfortable on it. So we use an old quilt over the carpet floor. Plus I don't have to lift them!  |
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