Daja hates to be brushed!

alphadoginthehouse · 08-09-2008, 07:58 PM

Tried brushing her today and she not only would NOT stand still, but she actually tried to bite the brush...it was almost as if she was afraid of the thing.

It's hard to describe her hair but it is short and very coarse. If I run my hand down her back, lots of hair comes out in my hand.

What would be the best type of brush to use for her? I did not push using the brush but talked very soothing to her during the brief time I tried.

Patt · 08-09-2008, 10:11 PM

Not sure which brush would be best. How about a grooming mit? There are various kinds, so shop around. http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store....roduct_id=1083

I've used something similar and it works great.

Kathyy · 08-10-2008, 02:49 AM

Agree, try a mitt. She needs to get used to being handled all over anyway.

I used a soft human brush that would be useless except for a baby's hair to train Maxwell to allow brushing. It is soft enough to brush his face and not bother him. Not so great for actual unsnarling or hair removal but feels good, good for training handling.

Look around the house, maybe you already have something you can use to train good grooming etiquette. An old coarsely knit glove? A mushroom brush is very like a baby brush.

DON'T get a slicker brush. They scratch and she will really hate brushing!

Oh, cookies help as well. I use fairly boring ones that distract but aren't exciting enough to make the dog get all bouncy. Bits of bread, Charlee Bears, kibble.

Purplex15 · 08-10-2008, 01:41 PM

you need to find a way to put your dog on a table or some sort that you can tie him to. if your dog is acting this way, then you need to train him to accept brushing. research what a grooming table looks like and try and copy that at home. your dog should be constrained so that he cannot physically bite anything. when you brush stay at the back of the dog. kind of keep a hold, or at least a hand on his back end. that way if he turns to bite or anything he can only turn the front half of his body and not the whole thing. all of your control lies in his back end. give a lot of praise when he stands perfectly still while being brushed. always end on a good note.

you need to get a rubber curry brush (NOT the horse kind, they are usually too rough). there is one called a zoom groom that you can get at petsmart. also, get a steel comb for the undercoat.

alphadoginthehouse · 08-10-2008, 01:46 PM

Thanks for all the tips. I have a zoom groom (the rubber thingie with the fat "bristles'?). I will try that on her.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Patt · 08-10-2008, 05:38 PM

Re post #4. Good idea to get started on training her on a table to get use to grooming and trimming nails. That will come in very handy in the future.

chrisb · 08-10-2008, 05:58 PM

Aww sorry to hear Daja doesn't like her hair brushed. I'm fortunate in that Shelby loves it. Have you tried maybe putting some peanut butter on the floor while you brushed. Maybe that would distract her some.

chris

alphadoginthehouse · 08-10-2008, 06:05 PM

She has some issues with her butt (that I forgot about!) and that's when she tried to bite the brush. I am going to try it again this evening just a couple of strokes and do that every day to get her used to it. I don't know that she ever was really "loved on" in her past life. She wants to be in my face but when I try to hold her she doesn't like it. She LOVES to have her tummy rubbed tho...