Grooming puppy

[AmandaH]

I wasn't sure whether to put this here or in the grooming area so mods please move if needed.

My 3 month old puppy has snapped at me the last two times I have brushed her, actually these are the only times I brushed her. I thought the first time she was getting used to it..but this time she almost bit me. Her teeth touched my thumb and started applying pressure and I jerked back. I was so shocked..that I stopped grooming her and set her down...which is exactly what she wanted.

I know if they nip during play, you are supposed to ignore them...but what about grooming? She has nipped a couple times in play time and I have immediately ignored her which seems to work until she forgets again.

She is a pomeranian mix and her hair is just starting to grow more. I've gotten a lot of loose hair off of her both times...I'm using a generic slicker brush I found at Wal-mart. The bristles are rough, but I make sure I am gentle. I even tested it on my skin to make sure I wasn't being too rough.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bubbatd]

I really fault the breeder for this ...... At that age she should be used to either combing or brushing . Do very short sessions ...mostly on the tummy area ... and don't stop if she wants to bite !!! Move to another area that maybe more pleasing to her .....even just a finger combing .

 

[Storee's Mom]

Good for you for starting young, and for knowing that she won that first time!

It is easier if you have her lie totally flat on her side when you do groom her, you could start out by teaching her that you expect her to do so when you ask, and she can only get up when you tell her it's ok. Don't groom her at first when teaching her to 'settle' (my guys know this as settle), but just pat her, do a massage, touch her ears, feet and so on. Make it short and sweet, if you're watching TV, have her settle for commercials, then release and repeat at the next commercial. Build up the time and slowly add in some brushing a bit at a time.

Try to have a firm voice - don't apologize or try to console her. Use a calm quiet voice when you praise her for behaving, and if she gets up (a leash is helpful too, so you can bring her back if needed) just calmly place her back where you wanted her.

A greyhound comb might work better too, it's a steel comb, you can do very small sections of coat at a time.

When I groom a dog who threatens to bite, or even looks like they might try it, I just slip a muzzle on them. It helps me focus on getting them done without having to worry, and it usually does calm them down. She's still young though so she might get over herself if you keep working on her.

Good luck!

Lana

 

[lizzybeth727]

What I would do is this - find a spot that she doesn't mind being combed as much. It could be her back, top of her neck, under her neck, whatever. Now brush there, so lightly she can hardly feel it (you're not actually getting any grooming accomplished yet, this is just training). If you're doing clicker training, you can click at the same time the brush is on her, and then give her a treat. If you're not doing clicker training, you can just give her the treat at the same time the brush is on her. Basically here, the brushing should not be hard for her to take at all, and on top of that she gets a treat after every stroke! The goal is to get her to enjoy the brushing time.

As you practice (maybe over a period of days, maybe in just a few minutes), you can begin brushing with harder strokes (still rewarding every one or two strokes), and begin gradually brushing in other areas, starting with the easy ones and working up to brushing the harder areas that she's less comfortable with. Whenever she nips you, take note of what you're doing and how you're doing it, then take several steps back to the point where she's comfortable again.

I'd suggest you practice every day, about five minutes a day. Just don't try to go too fast, always keep the brushing time a fun time. It will still probably take weeks before you can do a complete, thorough brushing, but take your time.

 

[Sch3Dana]

lizzybeth727's advice is great. One other thing that I have found really helpful is to put them on a small table or chair for the training sessions. Put the treats where they can see and smell them just off the chair- for example, put the puppy on a dining room chair and put the treats on the table out of her reach, in front of her nose. The chair holds her still and having the treats there in front of her help to keep her "eyes on the prize". Keep the sessions super short and the focus on the positive. And, an old groomers trick- watch her eyes. If she is looking at your hand and brush she is aiming for a bite. Be ready and if she goes for it, put the brush in her mouth so she doesn't get your hand. But, ideally, keep it positive and don't do so much that she wants to bite you.