Every time my pomeranian, Destiny, needs to be brushed (getting a knot out behind her ears, getting old fur out from her new) she begins to shake and is just plain frightened when she sees the brush or comb... I tried everything from giving her a treat at the end or pieces of a treat through out--->being nice and just brushing lighting over her when she has no knots ---> to just having someone hold her still while brushing her (we always end up scratched and she never bites hard, but still -_- -->plus she is a strong kicker)
What do I do to make the whole process more easy for her and me?
Destiny ---> http://www.geocities.com/losergirl_13/DESTINY01.jpg
2006-06-08 16:28:08 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you all for helping... some things i've tried before, and there are others I hadn't even thought of... thank you again!
2006-06-20 17:02:23 · update #1
This will sound weird but I work with animals and their owners all the time in behavior classes. The dog is threatened by the sight of the brush, not so much the brushing. You have to get the dog to stop the resonse to the brush before you try to use the brush on her. First, get a new brush. She's already scared of the old one so try something new. Before even trying to brush her with it, leave it on the floor somewhere where she can get used to it. Leave it for a few days then have her eat her food by it. Have her sit by the brush and eat treats off of it. This way, she'll associate the brush with good things like feeding time and treats. Start off slow and brush her for like 30 seconds and praise her the whole time. Give her a treat afterwards. Hopefully she'll warm up to the idea of grooming. Make sure she doesn't have any sort of sensitive skin issue either. The brushing might actually be painful if she does.
2006-06-19 03:49:37 · answer #1 · answered by irish.beauty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Pom does the same thing. I suggest spreading the grooming out over a few days and continue w/portions of a treat. Perhaps a small piece of a pupperoni if she allows you to groom her ears. Praise and reward her, then move to another area. I'd stop grooming after about 20 mins. I have to do this with my Pom. Also, you probably know that the Pom coat is fine at the top and very coarse at the bottom. Therefore you need to use a wide tooth comb to get the tangles out, then attempt to brush after all the tangles have been removed. I wear garden gloves when doing my Pom(the nips and bites don't penetrate the gloves). I wouldn't attempt grooming after playtime..my Pom is usually very hyper. My BTW, I did start my Pom at a professional groomer and they had the same problem. He's a great dog however he has nipped the groomer and a few vets also. Now all groomings done at home. Good luck
2006-06-16 01:33:38 · answer #2 · answered by Maximus 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
When my Shih Tzu sees the brush, she takes off to her favorite spot - under the bed.
I tried spraying her with a grooming spray prior to brushing her and it made a big difference. I also started using a comb that has rotating teeth for the occasional matt.
She still doesn't like to see the brush/comb, but the process is a lot easier and takes a lot less time.
I also give her praise the whole time telling her what a good girl she is.
2006-06-19 13:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is a cutie... Obviously she wasn't brushed enough as a puppy. I had a dog that would scream bloody murder when I even touched her with a brush..
You have to do it every single day, she should not have mats. if she does then you are NOT brushing her enough. Just keep going it and when you are done give her a taste of baby food on your finger.
Do this daily, 2x a day if you can. and she will get over her fear and look forward to that taste of yummy baby food;-)
2006-06-19 19:27:16 · answer #4 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may have to be a two-person operation. My Pom hates it, too, but my bf is very firm with her, and he is big and strong enough to hold her when she doesn't want to be held. She will put up with brushing then, but if she gets any chance, she will jerk away and run under the couch. He has to really hold her on her back or side on his lap. All you have to do is say the word "brush" and she takes off. It is almost funny.
2006-06-08 17:59:06 · answer #5 · answered by Oghma Gem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The next time your brushing your dog give her a treat or a toy to keep her mind off of the brushing. It works with my dog.
2006-06-08 17:44:28 · answer #6 · answered by Lucero 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this might sound weird but maybe you should brush her more often so there aren't so many knots. try giving her a bone~~you know she likes~~before and she`ll be distracted by the bone instead of the comb.
2006-06-20 03:40:57 · answer #7 · answered by Stiner * 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may want to take her to a reputable groomer. Sometimes they act quite differently when a professional works on them. I have three Chihuahuas that absolutely hate having their nails cut...but, if I take them to the groomer (two people handling them), they do very well.
2006-06-08 20:21:24 · answer #8 · answered by Chi_Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she may have sensitive skin. i have heard that animals ( even horses ) get sore if you brush them too long. i guess you would have to take a while with her because of all her hair. mayby she just gets sore.
2006-06-08 16:42:08 · answer #9 · answered by GoAskAlice 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send to the groomer
2006-06-19 20:53:04 · answer #10 · answered by jtlg78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋