I'm Tearing Not Only My Own Hair Out!

[bappit]

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Realise most members here will have smooth coated hounds, but sure i've read posts about some of you keeping and having hands on knowledge of other breeds and/or taking courses on grooming...ANY CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS WELCOMED :thumbsup:

Have taken on a young dog, gawd we'll no get into the why and what for here :b He's around 12 months now, been here 2 months near enough i reckon. Having major problems trying to groom him, he is a confident dog in every other way..however, he has issues!

I've had or know dogs before that were not as keen, but this is beyond anything i've encountered before, he just freaks out at the mere sight of a brush or comb, cant get it near him, even my daughters brushing their own hair sends him scuttling .

My plan to let him see the other dogs were not all that fussed at being brushed, have resulted in him being a quivering, squawking wreck in the corner of a decent sized room, when no approach had been made to him, was tried a good few times, but thats been awful! He looses it, each and every time, he does not become aggressive by any means, just squeals horrifically and has the terrors ...thus far have hand stripped or cut out matts or teasles (has no problem with that)as i've tried every way known to me, inc., letting him fall asleep with me stroking him (not even trying to tackle any knots when switching to a very soft brush....if you know any good plasterers to help repair the ceiling that would be goodl (w00t) ...for he seriously freaks at that as well ) HELP

I'm really at a loss, literally tearing my own hair out trying to think of how to progress with this. Would welcome any constructive suggestions.

Many, many thanks in anticipation of anything that would help.

Sheena

 

[Rae]

Hiya,

Poor thing.

It sounds like this is going to be a long term thing rather than a quick fix.

Does the dog mind you drying him with a towel? Ie is he sensitive to being touched or just scared of brushes? Have you tried one of those mit things that are for grooming - he mightn't realise that he is about to be groomed as it doesnt look like a brush?

 

[wild whippies]

Shave him!! (w00t)

Ok it's not the perfect option but I had a persian that got more intolerant of grooming as she got older she also was poor at grooming herself as she got elderly too. I sort of felt that the whole experience had become really traumatic to her so I'd get some clippers and shave the bits most prone to knotting i.e. her limbs and tummy. I'd leave her with furry feet and tail and left her mane but the shaven bits was probably about 1/4'' long.

The advantages I felt was that I could use softer brushes and stroke her with these rather than be stripping at knotty bits. This in turn stopped her running off and hiding when a brush was brought out. I still would occasionally shave her just because as the fur got longer it would be more prone to knotting and I think the ''dragging'' sensation of the brush was what really upset her.

Obviously dogs are different but I think it's a good way of breaking a viscious circle if you feel your at that stage.

 

[dana]

try one of those hand mits with the soft bristles. my mates cat used to go mental when being groomed, i gave them my old mit and over time the cat grew to love it.

good luck hunny :huggles:

 

[Nicola]

I wonder if some sort of positive association with the brush would work i.e. giving treats with one hand, brush in the other etc. Eventually keep the brush in your hand for longer periods, and finally after he starts to gain confidence try a quick brush with it, and more treats.

Sounds like it's going to be quite a struggle. I don't envy you.

Stan runs off when he knows he's going to be groomed, but he accepts his fate when he gets plonked on the grooming table.

 

[jean.dunbar]

If the hair is longish and knotted I would also say shave it off. The dog associates the brush with PAIN. This may or may not be because of grooming but brushing or combing ( which I find more effective ) knotted hair is very sore for the dog. My training taught me never to try to comb out knots but to shave them off from below the knot (close to the skin ). this too can be difficult but as the dog begins to get ease form the knots, which will be causing pain even on movement, it will relax a bit. I have had dogs come to me limping and gone away walking normally after the knots around legs and back end have been removed. A grooming table and grooming noose are initially a good idea with difficult dogs as they help establish the fact that this is going to happen. Hope this helps.

 

[kim & Tilly]

could he have been beaten with a brush, or had a less then nice owner who was very ruff with him??

 

[bappit]

Many thanks folks :huggles:

Yeah, thanks Rae, he's very amiable to touch of hand, dont know if i dare try a wash, perhaps what you were saying is rub him down with a towel when he's as he is? I'll give that a try, for i would'nt push my luck trying to wash him. Bought a mitt thing today as someone also PM'd me with their suggestion of that (much appreciated )...i'll choose my moment to try it. Chancing my mitt? Would'nt be the 1st time :- "

W.W. Jac cheers, get your thought process here, he's still young at approx. 12 months, i'm not ruling out your suggestion by any means, cant say its not already crossed my mind! However, thats last port of call, l've considered it as last ditch, really dont think he'd stand clippers near him by what I know of him... Time may come for that or hand stripping, if i cannot find another way.

Dana, many thanks for your suggestion...mitts now here, I'm going to give it a go when the moments right :lol: ...I've even considered giving him a hefty dose of Bach's rescue remedy prior to that :b .

Nicola, great suggestion, thanks, he is not been all that food/treat motivated (can be a deerhound thing :wacko: ), though he's getting there as he's cottoned on to the competition around him, i'll work on that reward system before tying to establish it alongside keeping his encounter with the mitt short and sweet :thumbsup:

Jean, as he's a young rough coated dog, starting to come into more coat if i cant get him to accept the basic tidy up, i'd have to go with the line of least resistance as suggested by WW and yourself for the easier life all round :b . I hear what you are saying and thanks...dont think its not crossed my mind to just book him in to a local grooming parlour :blink: Could'nt do that to him or the folks there :sweating: :lol:

Kim and Tilly, cheers, , I'm between a rock and a hard place if you get the gist of that? History ~ he came from an aquaintence of a mate of mine, for the moment we will err on the side of unfamilarity with being brushed :wacko: :b

To all of you , thanks for all your input here, much valued :thumbsup:

:huggles:

Sheena