[ILuvCanines]

I have a question about brushes. My dog Kenzie absolutely HATES being brushed. She is a mix of some kind. We are thinking Bernese Mountain Dog, and we think she is part chow. She has long hair, and her back end has very thick fur that really needs to be brushed or combed out.

The problem is she kicks won't lay still and acts like it hurts her. She has been abused, and any physical contact has to be very gentle, or she get scared and acts like you are beating her.

Is there any kind of brush that is gentle, but still able to get rid of her thick fur. I have the metal bristled pin type brush, and rake, and a very heavy metal comb that has two rows of tynes on it. She hates them all. Will I just have to force her to tolerate this? I would love to have her groomed, but I don't want to just take her some where and leave her. I would love to be there with her, but I don't know of any place like that.

Thanks for any help.

[Purplex15]

the best thing you can do for your dog is take her to a groomer, and leave her there. you are obviously pretty stressed about this and have reservations about getting her groomed, so you being there with her will make her worse. also, sine you have already been trying and given up when she put up a fight, she will do the same with a groomer simply b/c your there (kind of the mom, save me attitude). if you leave her, i bet she will be much better with the groomer. usually dogs like this will fight in the beginning and just accept it. groomers know not to start something and then give up if the dog starts fighting. that teaches them that if they fight hard enough, you will stop. grooming does not hurt them, unless you are trying to brush out matts. if it has been more than about 4 months since the dog was professionally groomed, then i am willing to bet that his coat is too far gone for a simple rake and pin brush (which is the wrong brush for you dog by the way). the undercoat needs to be blown out with a high velocity dryer. groomers have these, and unless you want to shell out 200 bucks for one, it would be your only option.

so in summary, yes you need to get your dog used to this. it will be easier if you take the dog to be groomed, that way you can start from scratch when you brush at home. it helps to put the dog on some sort of tabel and tied into a grooming arm. they dont feel as confident on a tabel and are more likely to listen to you. plus, you have more control over the dog. at some point, you may be able to do it without a table and arm, but for while you will not get the brushing accomplished without it. she should be strapped from the neck, but if that doesnt restrain her enough, you can also strap her in from her hips. it will take time, but with patience, it can be done.

i suggest finding a good groomer who will take on the dog and agree to work with her over time, forget about staying with her, and start brushing her on a table. a rake is a good brush to have, but you should also get a double sided stainless steel comb so you can find matts.

[justagirl21]

I agree, your best bet is to take it to a groomer. I'm a groomer and your dog sounds very similar to a Malamute I once had in (it kicked me in the face and gave me a blood nose!). To answer your question about brushes, I'm sorry but there is no brush that will improve your dogs attitude to him being brushed. For this breed/coat I'd use a high velocity dryer before AND after the bath, a greyhound comb and slicker (metal pin brush) and a undercoat rake (the bladed kind) for the pants. If you've been having trouble brushing the coat it may be matted or very tangled so your groomer may need to take extra time to do him, but I'd estimate it'll take about 4+ hours and will cost you anywhere from AUD$160 onwards. It will make life easier for you and your dog will eventually get used to it. By the sounds of it it seems your only option as the bigger the dog the harder it is to "fight" it and a good groomer will be able to handle your dog in the most appropriate manner. Good luck

[007Dogs]

I had a lady bring me her dog to groom. She told me this dog hated to be brushed and acted like it hurt her. I stood there brushing her dog the whole time I was talking to her. The dog never complained about being brushed. I told her that sometimes dogs lie to get there way. She soon discovered her dog had been lying to her, and that if she acted like being brushed hurt, mom would stop.
I suggest getting a good slicker brush(Chris Christenson) and brush the dog in short sessions and give rewards for allowing you to brush.