Any advice to stop mouthing while being brushed

[andy_vtec]

We have had Charlie our lovely cocker spaniel for a week now, he is 14 months old and for someone who is now in his 4th home he is remarkably well adjusted, rarely barks, loves playing with other dogs off the lead and now that we have a halter neck is way better on he lead, sleeps very well (lots of exercise!) and no accidents.

The only small issue we have with him is that he starts to mouth almost as soon as we try to brush him. I have him sat between my legs facing away from me at the time and I have a loose hold on to his collar but after a minute or 2 he seems to get stressed and although you can't call it a bite it can certainly get a little painful on the hands.

Should I just hold him down and deal with it via tough love, or are there some tips and techniques I can use to keep him calm and enjoy it. I have tried some treats tonight and kept at if for 4 of 5 minutes but he had definitely had enough by then - he seems to be particularly sensitive with his ears.

Cheers,

[bexVN]

Very slow and very steady couple mins to start then very gradually increase the time, use positive rewards only, no tough love/negative. As a 14mth rehome you can't be certain of what has happened before. Tough approach is more likely to cause a fear response to grooming.

Avoid the sensitive areas for now, work on those once his confidence with you has increased. Try and stop grooming before he gets agitated.

As a cocker I assume he has been prfoessionally clipped and groomed in the past so may be worth asking around for a good one. Go and spk to them first and explain his wariness of grooming so they can help him develop trust once there help is needed.

Hope that's a starting point for you.

[andy_vtec]

bexVN said:

Very slow and very steady couple mins to start then very gradually increase the time, use positive rewards only, no tough love/negative. As a 14mth rehome you can't be certain of what has happened before. Tough approach is more likely to cause a fear response to grooming.

Avoid the sensitive areas for now, work on those once his confidence with you has increased. Try and stop grooming before he gets agitated.

As a cocker I assume he has been prfoessionally clipped and groomed in the past so may be worth asking around for a good one. Go and spk to them first and explain his wariness of grooming so they can help him develop trust once there help is needed.

Hope that's a starting point for you.

Many thanks for the advice!

[Who me ?]

I'd go with Bex's advice .Toby had been a handful for grooming. he's got the usual terrier top coat and the unseen lower coat. I've had him almost three years and it's only now that he lets me use the fine coat brush on him. Groomer - no problem, she gets it all off, but me- he sits and gives me that "I'ts to much Gov" look. But of late ( helped by a a treat or two ,and some bits of meat) he's getting to like it . He's never mouthed off- he knows better,but he respects me, and gets it back . But he's shown signs that someone in past has forced him to like it ( and I don't want to think of what happened when he objected) ,as I don't think it was his first owner, but I put it down to the second one .