Am I too late to get her used to brushing?

[Susan Baxter]

My pup just turned a year old. She's a Havanese who was cut short for a time but her hair is growing out. She's been to the groomer several times but I'd like to get her used to brushing between groomings since she's going to have longer hair (I'd like her to keep a long puppy cut not the standard length Havenese "do").

I do try to brush her a few times a week but I've never been able to get her used to it. She squirms and pulls away and wants to play or mouth, or simply escape. I hate to have to try to force her to hold still, so I brush her back and tail and then let her go for fear of hurting her if I get near her face or legs. Is it too late for me to get her used to this ordeal? Right now her hair is about 3/4" long and she has no mats so I know the brush isn't hurting her.

I have started putting her on a towel on the kitchen counter which helps somewhat but not enough. We've tried feeding her treats (peanut butter or turkey) while I brush but that only works for a minute or two.

Any suggestions? I'm trying to "think outside the box" on this one but I'm coming up empty. :-)

Thanks,

Susan

[Amy Siggers]

I sure hope you get some good suggestions because I am in the same boat you are with Cassie! She is 13 weeks old now and also goes to the groomer every 5 weeks.. Actually she'll go for her 2nd visit tomorrow because we just got her 6 weeks ago! haha! Anyways, she has shorter puppy hair that also has never tangled or matted but she does the same thing your dog does even though I have been brushing her every day since we got her. She tries to bite the brush and she runs away from me so, like you, I only get to brush her back and tail real quick and I quit because I dont want to annoy her... I bathe her every week and blow dry her so you think she'd be used to it but NOPE.. We have tried the treats, talking calmly to her, putting her on a towel on the counter, putting her on a towel in the sink to make her feel more secure and NOTHING works! Like I said, I look forward to seeing the responses! What is your dogs name?

[Jill Ramsey]

When Finnegan was younger he did the same thing. Biting, turning to grab the brush, etc. I started brushing him while he ate. If he kept trying to bite the brush instead of eating, I took away his food after the alotted 15 minutes. Soon, he learned to keep eating while I brushed. Now, he "expects" his brushing every morning while eating. :D

[Jesse Cruz]

i put chloe and bailey on this basket w/a lid on it and i sit on a table in front of it. they are confined to not moving because if they do they will fall off, so it keeps them still. i brush and talk to them and remind them how good they are doing. i do them individually.

[TimberWolf]

Jill's attempt at using food is a great idea. Also try doing it at a calm time of day when your dog isn't playing much. Maybe when you are trying to relax in front of the tele or not doing anything active. Also if she really is unsure of the brush try brushing her with the wrong side of the brush. obviously it won't do anything but she may get used to seeing the brush on her and the feel of something smooth. Talk calmly to her and tell her how good she is and pretty she looks. Sounds stupid but the sound of your approving and calm voice can really help. Once she learns to trust the brush won't hurt after a few days of doing this, try turning it over a little bit using the same calming and approval tone of your voice, and brush her fur with the rougher side. Starting with her back, then the sides. then try her chest and below the neck. The ears if she likes her ears stroked and then her legs and tail. Those are last because they are the most personal to dogs. stroke her fur with your hands on the spots you just brushed so she sees it as more a friendly pat than something that can cause harm or pain. Dogs generally don't like anything foreign on their bodies so it really is quite an honor when a dog allows you to put anything on their bodies that they wouldn't normally put on themselves.

[Amy Siggers]

i put chloe and bailey on this basket w/a lid on it and i sit on a table in front of it. they are confined to not moving because if they do they will fall off, so it keeps them still. i brush and talk to them and remind them how good they are doing. i do them individually.


Now that's a good idea! She kept trying to get into the bath tub with my son last night (if she only knew..lol) and was jumping up on the side of hte tub so my husband put her on the tiolet seat (lid down of course) so she could see the tub but not get in and she BARELY MOVED because she knew she'd fall off and she is scared of falling.. Even when I go to get her off the couch she backs up and I have to grab her.. She fell off our bed one night (landed on the millions of pillows we keep on there) when she was about 10 weeks old so I dont know if it scared her or what but she is leary of falling so that is what I am going to try when I get home for lunch to see her b/c she has to go to the groomer today and that lady is strict with her clients when it comes to taking good care of those furbabies!