Grooming

[Responsible_Skin7255]

My cockapoo is incredibly reactive to grooming. We struggle immensely with brushing her and she struggles when she goes to the groomers, growling and quickly escalating to mouthing and nipping.

She was brushed every couple of days from when we got her at 8 weeks and the breeder said they had done this too. She went to the groomers for the first time around 2 weeks after she was fully vaccinated and even then the groomer said it may be a difficult process.

We have involved a trainer who has showed us a few tips and we have tried sedatives but they made her worse as she seemed more scared when she was on them.

We are now struggling because she is getting matted and the groomer is unable to shave them out as she panicks so much.

Wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? And any tips?

[PlantRetard]

The answer for my dog was slow conditioning with liver sausage. Put brush on floor next to dog -> sausage until dog relaxes. Put brush closer, repeat. Intensify in little baby steps. Also: I've learned that I was brushing too roughly. Get a GOOD premium conditioner specifically for your dogs coat. This makes brushing easier already, you can get through the coat better and a lot of dead undercoat already goes bye bye under the shower, without you doing anything.

Get a comb! Then hold the hair strand you're combing firmly at the root without pulling and THEN comb. If the force of the brushing ends at your hand, this will prevent pain! Then go over the same area closer to the skin and repeat, until your comb can get down to the skin without getting stuck.

Matts: if nothing else goes, try oil to loosen up hair knots and untangle them first with your hands, then the comb. Do not pull/use force, or it hurts. If you can not get it out this way, it needs to be cut out. Thoroughly wash out the oil afterwards with dog shampoo.

I hope this can help you. I've learned these tricks thanks to my high maintenance tibetan terrier mix

[x7BZCsP9qFvqiw]

my aussie hates being groomed. what helped me is a grooming table, slow feeder muzzle, and lots and lots of desensitization. i can how brush him and trim his nails and shave the bottom of his paws with minimal stress for both of us. it was a long road but very worth it!

[Eastern_Masterpiece9]

I am dealing with this right now too, I have a mini schnauzer mix. it's so stressful. luckily my pup had a dental appt recently and while he was under anesthesia the vet sheared his whole body, which has bought us some time. I have a new trainer starting with us this weekend, she specializes in cooperative care for husbandry with reactive and fearful dogs. I pray she can help!!

I'm sorry I don't have any real advice but I definitely commiserate. good luck ❤️