Biting/Growling When Grooming
|
|
lynna0224 wrote: My 10 week OES Thatcher bites and growls when barely brushing his back legs. He has also gotten "mad" and bit twice before when being played with. Otherwise he has been very sweet. What is the proper thing to do when they bite/growl?
You're wise to try to get Thatcher to accept handling at an early age. The younger you start working with him the faster he will learn. In Brian Kilcommon's book "Good Owners, Great Dogs: A Training Manual for Humans and Their Canine Companions", he recommends putting the dog on a leash so you have gentle control of him. Begin doing something the dog enjoys, such as scratching behind an ear and speaking to him warmly. Continue running your hand to the area he does not like to be touched, and casually brush over it. Keep praising and don't hesitate in your movements or the dog will tense up. Go back to scratching an ear or massaging his shoulders and do this over and over. As he relaxes, go back to the touchy area and massage there, alternate between the areas he dislikes being touched to areas he enjoys. Lots of praise and treats when he cooperates. Patience and persistence is key. If he fusses, give him a verbal command such as "stop it" in a no-nonsense way. Give a gentle lead correction (but remember, Thatcher is just a baby!) Then go right back to praising him and practicing. As Kilcommons says, "This is not a confrontation or negotiation. Deal with the resistance decisively but do not dwell on it." Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! |
| I think all my various dogs started off trying to bite while being groomed! Doing it regularly is very important or else you may always have the issue. Short sessions daily!
I agree that lots of praise and rubs helps! 
I lay my dog down on her side with my legs over her. That way I felt safer too with her body held down so there was no reaching up to bite. |
Joahaeyo wrote: I lay my dog down on her side with my legs over her. That way I felt safer too with her body held down so there was no reaching up to bite.
I would never pin a dog down like that to groom him/her. You're just setting yourself up for a bite.  |
I can see your point, but it has always worked for me! Esp when controlling a wiggly 10 wk old growing pup. Very easy! Makes my dog calm. It's not holding her down that makes her feel she can be growly! I remember those days very clearly!  |
| thanks for the tips... it is not the "nipping" that bothers me, at least not while grooming but he actually growled and bit - was not expecting that at all.. last nite I held his head with one hand while barely brushing his hind legs. He did try to snap/growl again but I reasssured him and just groomed him for a couple minutes. Every once in a while he has a growling mean streak in him and I am scared he might hurt someone when he gets older. He is signed up for obedience classes in August.
I will try to put Thatcher's picture up as soon as I figure out how! He is sooo cute... |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|