Should I just comb?

[Lisa and Tucker]

Not sure what to do about "grooming" Tucker? He is 12 weeks old now and we have a brush, and I have tried to brush him a few times now but he seems to think this brush is a toy that he is supposed to play with and take away from me with his mouth! He is not really curly or wavy but has more fur than a regular Lab puppy has and I am wondering if I should just be using a comb on him right now? And how the heck do you get your puppy used to this? He does not seem to be fan; should I try treats? If so how? I don't want to make this a traumatizing experience. Advice is greatly appreciated. While were at it does anyone have advice on giving a puppy a bath? I have absolutely no experience with it! LOL

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

If your puppy does not know the "eh-eh" command this is the perfect time to go ahead and teach it (we place our dogs in a sit and then place something in front of them, each time they start toward it we tell them eh-eh, if they stop they get a treat, it only takes a few times for them to realize what eh-eh means).  Once your pup understand that then each time he tries to take the brush you just tell him eh-eh and go ahead and brush, he will learn quickly that it feels good.  Until he learns that he has to stop that it won't make any difference if you use a brush, comb or block of wood, he is trying to play a game with you. A good brushing becomes like a massage and they learn to look forward to it, my girls try to beat each other to the top of the grooming table and who ever doesn't get up there first lays at my feet waiting their turn.

 

We take our dogs out for a bath, I am just too old and my back doesn't like to be bent over a tub on my knees to accomplish this.  Our groomer does a sani-cut, keeps their nails clipped and takes care of excess hair inside of Polly's ears.  We do the clipping and face trimming ourself. 

 

[Adina P]

It cracks me up that you call the "eh-eh" a command only because I say "eh-eh" or "uh-uh-uh" and Clark gets so annoyed and tells me "USE A COMMAND!"

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I am a finger snapper/ pointer while saying NO.  LOL..  I get in so much trouble with our trainer for not using commands LOL

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

The difference between Clark and my girls is that my girls have no idea it is not a command so they respond accordingly...please don't let him near my girls, they think I am the leader:-}

[Adina P]

I think Clark just hates the sound.

[Pam Thomas]

trainer told me to say eh-eh.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My dog is not a fan now or then but at this age I would keep his mouth busy. Do treat, but get him something for his mouth. One to keep his mouth busy and another is to distract him. 

He is at the chew stage, how about a wonderful Antler?  That should keep him busy while you are working.

I do love a comb versus a brush but most times you need to use both.

I use a metal comb with rotating teeth.

Dont try to do this all at once.  Little steps at at time.  Groom often but not all at once.  When your puppy is tired and has had good exercise, take some cuddle time while you are watching TV. Go slow and gentle.  Five or ten minutes is all that you will get in at this age.  Enjoy.

These coats, at times, are overwhelming but don't overwhelm your pup or he will certainly hate grooming forever.  

[Lisa and Tucker]

Thank you both Judy and Joanne. I have never heard of the "eh-eh" command but will start to implement that. We are actually beginning private obedience on Saturday so I'll see if she mentions it as well. If not I'll mention it to her! He scratches a lot and I was thinking maybe he should have a bath? We have had him for a little over a month now and I don't think he has ever had one. I'm not sure how really necessary it is although he is smelling a bit "doggish"? And he has found his way into the fenced garden out back (not without incident I might add; lesson learned I think) so I thought maybe something in that might be making him itchy? And I think I will invest in a bully stick or antler of some sort. Maybe that will help. I was thinking a comb might seem less threatening than a brush in the beginning....I don't know I'm kind of a dunce when it comes to this!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Tucker is adorable!  already have great advice in the other comments-so good luck! 

[Lisa and Tucker]

Thanks Lori! He's just really not curly or anything so I didn't know if combing or brushing was even necessary?

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

He is very cute!

I would encourage brushing him so that he gets used to grooming. His puppy fur can be very different than his adult fur so if he develops more "doodle" fur he will be used to regular brushing. 

[Lisa and Tucker]

Thanks Emily!