Puppy That's Scared Of Any Grooming!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It will be two weeks tomorrow since we brought Murphy home.  He has fit it perfectly, and seems comfortable and happy.  He's not afraid of anything...except grooming.  I've been taking it so slow since it was clear to me that he was terrified of his brush.  I let him get used to it a little at a time, giving treats if he went near it....actually putting the treats in between the bristles.  Every time I even touch him with the brush he panics.  I can tell that he is legitimately fearful.  I tried a couple different brushes to see if that would help, but it didn't.  He really needs to be brushed, but he is only 12 weeks old and I don't want to do anything that will frighten him.  It's not getting any better.  Thoughts anyone?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud hated and still hates the Les Pooche Brush. Just recently we have used a rotating tooth comb. It is smaller, gentler, and he actually sits down for at least 4 minutes! LOL
You may want to try a grooming comb.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I've tried a regular grooming comb, and he's scared of that too. I'm going to get a "rotating tooth comb" and see if that will work. I use the Les Pooche for Guinness, but just tried the soft brush with Murph. Thanks, Joanne.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I have always used the rotating comb on Gracie Doodle. In fact I just broke hers and when I went to the store to get a new one I couldn't find it anywhere. It was made by Bamboo and had the two sizes of teeth. I Googled and found them so I ordered 3. I always groom Gracie when she is really tired. In fact, I just finished brushing/combing her. She had her bath this afternoon and we went out to dinner. When we got home and she got over being happy to have us home, I got her down on the floor and we started the combing/brushing. I find that I have to do it when she is really tired and not distracted (DH is a great distraction). I talk to her and tell her how much I love her, tell her Gracie Doodle is a good girl, it's OK, it's just me and hold. Just be really careful if you get that far to not pull a tangle and hurt him. You need to build up his trust. Really tired or actually sleeping is the key and gentle strokes and not digging in.or pulling. Gracie now will put up with it when we are leaving and have to look nice too. Since she is almost 3 years old, she knows I mean business now. But in the beginning it took a long time.

[Leslie C.]

Hi. Look at link below for important developmental milestones. Week 11 speaks about fear and caution related to this stage. One of the things you might try is too tire the puppy out . . . give Murphy something to lick or chew on . . . try brushing his coat with your fingers/ give him a nice rub down/ massage and praise for relaxed behavior. If this is a fear imprinting stage, I might wait to re-introduce a soft brush. Good luck and enjoy your new pup. ~Leslie

http://idog.biz/DevelopmentStages.html#Anchor-Seniority-35882

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great info, thanks so much for sharing it. I've tried brushing with my fingers and even giving a massage. I'm thinking I just need to do that several times a day and wait a little longer for him to relax. Then I'll try the comb that Joanne suggested.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Good Luck Jane.
I have never had much luck with grooming Spud. Leslie said--Tire Him Out! That is what we do. Spud has always been groomed when sound asleep or with a good chew to keep him busy. At 15 months we are now just beginning to allow a few moments of grooming.

BTW--Murphy says, " there are far too many things to do, see , and play with. for me to sit here and put up with that" LOL

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin is a brush biter. He is better with the metal comb. Either way I wait til he is practically asleep and stuff something in his mouth to keep him busy. He has less of an issue with the nail clippers (go figure). Tolerance is all I get from him during grooming, but thats good enough for me.

[2loqbxc1f3777]

Ask your breeder what she did to prep him for the grooming experience... MIne get bathed and blown dry at least 3 times before going home. Also I am always messing with their ears, trimming nails, and and brushing randomly so know to sit still before they go home....if nothing has been done it is new to him...

Make it a wonderful fun time, treats for rewards etc....make sure you are not doing too much at one time and that the brush you are using is soft not a hard tined brush that may be sticking him...

Slow it goes, differnt times of the day and different locations...

It is just brushing or even bathing trimming and ear cleaning..??

Carol
southern charm Labradoodles

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you, Carol. Murphy is a rescue, so I won't be able to talk to his breeder. It's not just that he doesn't like it...he is very fearful. We have been doing the treats...he gets treats and "loves" for even letting me get near him with the brush (soft ). He's actually great with bathing...just had a bath and was an angel - not scared at all. He's not crazy about ear cleaning, but he does tolerate it much better than brushing. I think you're absolutely right...I will continue to take it very slow. I just worry about matts getting started. I just wish I could figure out why this would be so frightening for him when he shows no other fear. It's strange.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

This may seem strange, but if you say to him "It's ok. You're all right." or similar phrases while trying to brush, you are actually giving him permission to be afraid. He can't know what you are talking about, he can only read signals. Better to say things like "suck it up big boy". lol... If you act strong then he will act strong. Only give treats if you got the behavior you wanted while brushing. Not for attempting to brush.
For those new owners I have that are too tender hearted to say things like that, I tell them to sing and just ignore the dog mentally while doing things like brushing and nail trimming. I give lots of puppies their very first bath. Most take it very well, but occasionally one will just fight it. Once my friend was over and we were talking while a pup was struggling in the bath. I just held on and kept bathing and talking to my friend. After about a minute or two the pup just stood there good as gold. My friend had to stop our conversation and say "Look at that!"
The change was just because I did not buy into the pup's emotions at all and eventually, it bought into mine.

If all else fails, take him to a groomer for brushing. He really needs to get over this. Remember, groomers use head loops, so it's ok if you put a leash on your dog and tie him up short and hold the back end kindly, but firmly and brush gently. You don't want this to happen to him first away from home.

I teach my puppies how to be tied up before they leave here. It simulates being on a leash, but they have control of the amount of pull. It helps them to learn about boundaries and it helps when they need to be tied for grooming.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you! I'm afraid I have been saying things like "it's okay". I'll try the "suck it up" (although that will not come easy to me with this little boy). I certainly don't want to cater to his fear. I have had him on the leash, but I'll tie him up shorter.

[Louise and Toby]

Time for little smears of peanut butter on a spoon to distract him. Maybe have someone hold the spoon while you brush ever so gently. Maybe that will work.