Discussion
Soooo, the terrier is now 7 months old.
He's not been regularly groomed, mainly because he's a terrier & well, it's what they do (apparently).
So short of tranquillizers, can anyone offer any tips for placating the little fellah whist attempting to run a comb over him?
For info, he's developing a dreadlock-type arrangement on top of his head.
I had hoped to eventually progress onto hand-stripping but at this rate, it'd mean a general anaesthetic.
He's not been regularly groomed, mainly because he's a terrier & well, it's what they do (apparently).
So short of tranquillizers, can anyone offer any tips for placating the little fellah whist attempting to run a comb over him?
For info, he's developing a dreadlock-type arrangement on top of his head.
I had hoped to eventually progress onto hand-stripping but at this rate, it'd mean a general anaesthetic.
I will be watching with interest. I have the same problem. Petting, fussing, stroking, playing, tummy tickling all okay. Grooming, combing, brushing, stripping, all a big no no. I don't think it hurts but he just thinks it's play so gets excited and starts wriggling and biting.
(8 month old terrier cross)
(8 month old terrier cross)
although I think our lad takes it as a challenge.What's worked for me is the gradual introduction of comb/brush combined with treats given for ignoring them.
Initially (after discovering that she thought it was a great game), I'd just put the comb in front of her and then reward when she ignored it.
Then touch her with it and reward when she ignores it.
Then small strokes with the comb, etc, etc.
(Trying) to keep her looking at me when the brush was near helped break the spell too.
It took some time, and after all that work she still looks like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards ten minutes after a good brush!
Initially (after discovering that she thought it was a great game), I'd just put the comb in front of her and then reward when she ignored it.
Then touch her with it and reward when she ignores it.
Then small strokes with the comb, etc, etc.
(Trying) to keep her looking at me when the brush was near helped break the spell too.
It took some time, and after all that work she still looks like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards ten minutes after a good brush!
Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey...
Baby steps. Get him used to seeing the grooming implements. On the floor in front of him, with no-one touching them. Treat/reward lack of interest in them.
After a few days of that (when he's well and truely lost interest in them), start to introduce movement of them around him. Literally, take up a brush and put it down again. Treat/reward for no response.
Next step is to touch him with them - just one light touch, reward for no response.
Then gentle, prolonged touches, treat, etc... follow on from there, building up to the range of movements covered when grooming.
At any point where he shows signs of interest in the brush/escalates from a calm behaviour, simply take it back to step 1. Perserverance!
...or, you know, get someone else to do it...
Edit to add - it might work easier/more effectively if you work with him at times when he's tuckered out and therefore already relaxed. You'll get further doing it after a 7-mile hike, for example, than you would if he's only just got up and is bursting with energy!
Baby steps. Get him used to seeing the grooming implements. On the floor in front of him, with no-one touching them. Treat/reward lack of interest in them.
After a few days of that (when he's well and truely lost interest in them), start to introduce movement of them around him. Literally, take up a brush and put it down again. Treat/reward for no response.
Next step is to touch him with them - just one light touch, reward for no response.
Then gentle, prolonged touches, treat, etc... follow on from there, building up to the range of movements covered when grooming.
At any point where he shows signs of interest in the brush/escalates from a calm behaviour, simply take it back to step 1. Perserverance!
...or, you know, get someone else to do it...
Edit to add - it might work easier/more effectively if you work with him at times when he's tuckered out and therefore already relaxed. You'll get further doing it after a 7-mile hike, for example, than you would if he's only just got up and is bursting with energy!
Karyn said:
Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey...
Baby steps. Get him used to seeing the grooming implements. On the floor in front of him, with no-one touching them. Treat/reward lack of interest in them.
After a few days of that (when he's well and truely lost interest in them), start to introduce movement of them around him. Literally, take up a brush and put it down again. Treat/reward for no response.
Next step is to touch him with them - just one light touch, reward for no response.
Then gentle, prolonged touches, treat, etc... follow on from there, building up to the range of movements covered when grooming.
At any point where he shows signs of interest in the brush/escalates from a calm behaviour, simply take it back to step 1. Perserverance!
...or, you know, get someone else to do it...
Edit to add - it might work easier/more effectively if you work with him at times when he's tuckered out and therefore already relaxed. You'll get further doing it after a 7-mile hike, for example, than you would if he's only just got up and is bursting with energy!
This sounds sensible. If only I could stop him chewing his brush.Baby steps. Get him used to seeing the grooming implements. On the floor in front of him, with no-one touching them. Treat/reward lack of interest in them.
After a few days of that (when he's well and truely lost interest in them), start to introduce movement of them around him. Literally, take up a brush and put it down again. Treat/reward for no response.
Next step is to touch him with them - just one light touch, reward for no response.
Then gentle, prolonged touches, treat, etc... follow on from there, building up to the range of movements covered when grooming.
At any point where he shows signs of interest in the brush/escalates from a calm behaviour, simply take it back to step 1. Perserverance!
...or, you know, get someone else to do it...
Edit to add - it might work easier/more effectively if you work with him at times when he's tuckered out and therefore already relaxed. You'll get further doing it after a 7-mile hike, for example, than you would if he's only just got up and is bursting with energy!
Smiler. said:
Doshy said:
Keep trying and get someone to dangle a treat in his face while you brush/comb. If my Bernese plays up when I dry him, I just cup his gonads in a towel with one hand and dry him with the other. He doesn't move about much then
His gonads are already in a cup (somewhere) 
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