Crazy Hudson - is there hope?
Hudson cannot handle change. He cannot handle change on himself. And he does not get over it well. He's a terrible dog with brushing, so we do the best we can. Often he won't let anyone get near his tummy to brush him despite our best efforts. He doesn't bite or growl. He just squirms and thrashes and kicks. He'll do it to the point where you're afraid he's about to pull his own appendages off or strangle himself. So, we frequently shave him down. That buys him a few months before matting occurs, and during that time we keep on brushing him. Even with no hair he fusses around his tummy, ears, etc. But we keep working on him, hoping in time it will get better, and in some areas it has already. So here's his issue... Sometimes it IS necessary to shave certain areas for hygiene purposes. He actually handles the actual shaving fairly well. We do his bum, his tummy, and some of the spots at the base of his ears. TWO DAYS AGO I discovered that he had a mat on the tip of his "nether region"...  (That's Hudson blushing...I handled things just fine). While Gordon was wrestling/snuggling with him I used scissors to remove the mat. He wasn't thrilled but he didn't fight me.
AS ALWAYS I was careful and absolutely did NOT cut him in any way. As always he's flipping out. Yep, two days have passed and he's still freaking out. He must remain in a laying down position, preferably on blankets. When changing locations he skulks past, head down, bum tucked in and races to the next safe spot. No interest in anything at all. He must be dragged to the food dish. (He'll eat, but then he runs away.) No interest in anything-must be dragged from the house for walks. Would prefer to be alone, on the bed, doesn't even bark out his window. This lasts a full three days EVERY SINGLE TIME. When three days are over he returns to his normal, evil self. I'm guessing it's an issue with the way the area feels now that it's "drafty." The only time he relaxes is when he falls asleep and ends up on his back with four paws in the air. I watched him this morning. When he heard a noise he woke up, yelped, flipped over onto his tummy and curled up, guarding the area from cold air. I figure we've got about 24 hours left before he'll adjust. I've checked. There is NO rash, irritation, etc. None. This is (as always) just about the way he feels with a new draft. Any chance he'll get over it? Or is this going to be one of his "quirks" for life? It's such a dramatic thing for him - for exactly three days each time. I thought dogs were supposed to live in the moment?! |
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| He's a very sensitive boy! Drafts used to be a big concern, not 3 days but a good day, now the worst still poups for a few hours, so hopefully Hudson will grow out of this.
I have two sensitive sheepies with their own quirks, drafts used to be a big deal. I learned to minimize the area and they have learned it only is bad for a short time, 24 hours unless it is freezing cold out there...and back there. Food, set it down and leave. No dragging dog to food. He won't starve in 2-3 days. If he won't eat because he's pouting, let hunger end the pout. Quit treating him like he's fragile. Your forcing him may be prolonging his pout. Tough love time. As for tummies........we are allowed to rub but never use a tool if they are on their backs. Any brushing must be done (by their orders) on a standing dog, dog in down cow position, or........maybe from a side prone but only if the moon and stars are aligned. |
I would just laugh about it. Let him be dramatic, just do your normal thing. Pouting won't kill him. Look at it as a vacation from 'Naughty' Hudson.  |
| This is going to get less and less amusing as he grows older. Put his food down and like Susan said, he's not going to starve. Eventually he'll eat.
We've had a couple OES that were un-groomable. Nothing amusing about that. Get Hudson up on a table where he can't move around. Use lots of treats and praise when he sits/stands/lays still. Start with grooming tools that are soothing like soft bristle brushes until he learns that grooming is a good thing. Take special care to get him to let you work on his feet and legs, most dogs dislike this the most. Be patient and gentle. Most dogs become very fond of the attention. As far as allowing him on the bed, until he gets his act together I'd forbid it. Those privileges are for dogs that earn it. My dogs don't even get up on furniture unless invited and they're fine with that. You are being taken advantage of and because it's "cute" you allow him to get his way. Part of the problem is definitely his age but part is his lack of discipline. An obedience training class is definitely in order. It takes a lot of patience and some gentle "tough love" on your part but as he grows older you won't regret it. |
Maybe with age he will outgrow it? :p The boy OES I share with my folks absolutely hated anything to do with brushing until he was 2 or 3 years old, and then he would only tolerate it for short times. He even disliked having his back scratched. I used to cut his hair with scissors and after half an hour he was convinced he was done. And of course he was far from it. LOL After our fella got a little older he loved having having his back scratched and he likes getting brushed so much that we can do it anywhere, not just on the grooming table. Maybe it is some sort of game to them? Be patient... he'll come around one day.  |
| I wouldn't baby him either - food down you eat or you go hungry. Bt if you are concerned why not a work up with a behvioral vet to see if there is a clinical issue(s)? |
| Poor Hudson and poor you.
He is a sensitive boy. Not the same breed but my Mom's poodle is the same. She always threw a mega hissy fit about brushing and did growl and bite if there was a matt. I have taken over the grooming. I'm very matter of fact. When she really carries on about her legs I'll move on to another area for 5 minutes but its back to the leg, then if she's even a little bit better about the leg she gets her favorite treat. She is still not great especially about legs and face but I took over her grooming at 6 years old and she has come a long way in less than 12 months. I dont think she'll ever just lay back and enjoy being groomed but at least its not a major drama anymore. I know its much easier with a mini poodle than with wrestling big boy but hang in there with lots of treats for better behaviour and zero tolerance for bad behaviour. At first I kept the grooming to short bursts of 1/2 an hour or so then a walk (her favorite thing) then more grooming then a walk etc. A groomer told my Mom when Charlie was only 8 months old that poodles are really bad with being groomed. My Mom believed her and so Charlie was really bad about being groomed. What do they say "give a dog a bad name"? 
I think some dogs do have skin that is more sensitive and they feel brushing as uncomfortable and are very aware of changes in the weight of hair and air flow. Charlie is also funny about drafts especially around her privates after clipping. But my siblings and I all fall about laughing hysterically when she startles at a breeze and make jokes about goosing so she's kinda getting over it pretty quickly these days. She doesnt like being laughed at. 
She has always had a tendency to being fussy about her food so Mom puts it down and leaves her in a room on her own for 10 minutes. If its still there when she goes back then its taken away and no treats or titbits till the next meal is eaten. Also Mom adopted a stray cat who is always starving and who is cheeky enough to hover about and steal from the dogs bowl if Charlie walks away from it. Suddenly food is more precious. 
Good luck I hope he gets easier. |
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