Brushing Questions...

[Barbara Tarr]

My year old dog Gracie hates to be brushed and matts quickly if I do not keep up with brushing every other day. She gets very upset and tries to bite. She does not growl but she is trying to get me to stop. I try to be gentle and reward her when she stays still. I do not have a grooming table and try to brush her while on my lap. Does anyone have any suggestions? She is also still very mouthy when she plays and although bitter apple stops her from using her mouth she also will stop playing. I am hoping for some methods of training that have worked for other doodles.

[Ann W]

What type of brush do you use? When do you brush her? I have been very lucky. I started my dogs early. I did notice a diferent when I switch brush on one of them.

[Barbara Tarr]

I have tried a wire brush and a metal comb. I also bought a dematter. I have brushed Gracie since we first got her at 8 weeks. She is tolerating it less and less as she gets older. She just turned one. What type of brush do you reccommend?

[Adina P]

I would tire her out FIRST...that helps a lot so that they have less energy to fight it. And in the meantime: 1) Work on training so she is better able to hold a sit stay or stand-stay on command and 2) Desensitize her to the brush by connecting with treats that she LOOOVES immensely. Start SMALL--maybe use a new brush to her. Show her the brush, wave it in front of her...and then give her a few deeelicious treats. Half an hour later...repeat. Repeat throughout the day until she thinks "Seeing Brush = Treat time!" When she starts to LIKE seeing the brush...then touch it to her...here, there..diff places on her fur...gently. Treat for EACH touch...then treat for a few touches...then treat for a stroke. Work up to full brushing (while she is TIRED) ever so slowly so she doesn't backtrack to hating it.

Also if you look at the Review section of this site (top of the page tabs) you'll see info on the Chris Christensen T pin brush--I LOVE it and my Rosco really tolerates leg brushing (which he hated before) with it!

[Jackie]

Adina, I'm going to try this with Beckett. He also hates to be brushed. I've tried since we first got him. He's better now but he still doesn't like it...tries to bite, wiggle away, etc. I'll slow down alittle and start almost from scratch and see if it helps. Thanks

[Leslie and Halas]

The groomer says that Halas is great with them, but he doesn't really like it when I brush him. I usually try to distract him with a special treat. He has a toy called Star Mark Everlasting Treat Ball. I got it at PetsMart. It has kept him busy for 2 or 3 hours at a time. If I brush him while he's chewing on that, he's pretty tolerant. Although it does make his face all crusty, so I still have a hard time brushing that. And I do try to brush him a little each day, just to control the tangles. Otherwise, they turn into mats, and the mats take forever to get out. I use a pin brush and a comb (groomer called it a poodle comb).

[Adina P]

Ahh...yes a treat they can work on WHILE you brush is great too! Rosco got kongs full of goodies or bully sticks when he was a young pup...saved his one and only bully stick for grooming times!

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Hi Barbara,
Another thing you may consider when you are purchasing a new brush or comb is to take it along your forearm a couple of times, if it hurts/leaves scratched it is probably pretty uncomfortable for Gracie also. Some tines and bristles are very round while others are smooth and rounded.

I usually brush mine just a bit everyday, we have many and it makes it easier to tolerate for them and me. It may take me several days to do their entire coat, but the last day is a breeze and it works for us. I usually wait until they relax and lay on the floor and sit with them (one reason I don't stay so long, it seems to be getting harder for me to get back up: ) ) I will talk gently to them, stroke them with pets and fuss over them bunches while combing or brushing them. They have come to enjoy this time because it is one on one time they are getting from me. Tonight one of our puppies actually rolled over on her back to get a tummy rub while I was clipping her nails.

You have gotten many great tips here, I am looking forward to hearing how things work out.

Dianne
http://www.trinitydoodles.com

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Oops that was supposed to read that some tines and bristles are very 'rough'.

[Craige A. Story]

Hey Barbara,
Well my four-year old gilr ( also Graci) very dense coat and fleecy wavy coated Doodle gets brushed with the LaPooch Slicker brush.
It is expensive but worht it ...go to DoodleCountry.com for good prices on it.
it is fantastic for getting out mats ...also the mat-breaker has blades in it that go thru the mat like butter.
I started brushing her at age 3 months 3 to 4 times a week...and she likes it ok.
Start at an early age and no problem. But make it pleasant experience... after exercise, treats etc... best of luck Craige

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Get a high value treat and lots of them, I am not talking your standard dog biscuit or dog food here. I am talking raw meat (chicken, hamburger), peanut butter, cheese, a meaty bone.

Give your pup the treat and brush away!

Back in the day I used to have to sit on Atta Girl to get her to let me brush her, today I get the brush, she flops and falls asleep!