getting pup used to being groomed - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

tattoogirl73 · 11-28-2012, 11:42 AM

i'm combing and brushing tricky every day but whenever i try to groom her face she gets very irrated and tries to bite me. i intend to take her to the groomers as soon as i van but they don't accept puppies until they've had their second jabs which won't be for another two weeks. what's the best way to get her used to having her face handled?

Russell · 11-28-2012, 12:02 PM

we have had similar issues with Lola and being groomed (by us), we find that chicken treats are a good way of tempting her and helping her get used to the grooming. When she went to the professional she was fine she just likes to play us up, her worst thing is getting her front legs brushed

MaryLynn · 11-28-2012, 02:14 PM

Keep it short and give lots of treats.

Just turn the clippers on and treat, without even touching her. Take a break.

When she get's used to that, then just bring it close to body without using the blade so she can feel how the motor feels. Treat. Take a break.

Repeat until she is more comfortable.

Do the same thing by having the clipper vibrate against her paws and face when she will allow it. Treat. Take a break.

It's going to take a long time, but once she associates the weird clippers as positive you should be able to clip her face.

Same for brushing, use the no bristle side of the brush at first. I realized after I type that all out that you had in fact said brush, not clip. But it will work the same.

Harrymummy · 11-28-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryLynn

Keep it short and give lots of treats.

Just turn the clippers on and treat, without even touching her. Take a break.

When she get's used to that, then just bring it close to body without using the blade so she can feel how the motor feels. Treat. Take a break.

Repeat until she is more comfortable.

Do the same thing by having the clipper vibrate against her paws and face when she will allow it. Treat. Take a break.

It's going to take a long time, but once she associates the weird clippers as positive you should be able to clip her face.

Same for brushing, use the no bristle side of the brush at first. I realized after I type that all out that you had in fact said brush, not clip. But it will work the same.

-----
Indie this with Harry and its the way to go. He does squirm a bit but nothing a great does not resolve. Over time the treats are less frequent or needed or just good praise is needed

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Russell · 11-28-2012, 10:52 PM

it is so nice to get good advice, from tried and tested methods, from owners who are willing to share their experiences and knowledge. (Such a contrast from some of the replies one often gets on this forum. Some people cannot help themselves but to make comments which are often barbed and pointed.)

Thanks again

Baer Paws · 01-24-2013, 01:47 PM

Some of my puppies have been calm right off the bat when I clip them and others start screaming their heads off. I always make sure my clippers are cool, I press the blade against my cheek to see if I can tolerate the heat. I have saved up so I have at least 2 of each size of clipper blade, so that I can switch blades when they start getting warm. I also have the spray to cool the blades down. With puppies that scream, I turn the clippers to the back side and rub them with the back side of the clipper, so that they get used to the vibration. I used to train horses and I watched the Australian trainer Clint Anderson, and when a horse freaked out he would keep doing what he was doing until they stopped freaking out. He would say "heartattacks are free". So when the puppy stops screaming and is calm, I reward the puppy and let him rest for a few seconds and then rub the backside of the clippers on him again, and wait until he calms down and I stop and he gets a reward. I reward good behavior not bad and the puppies learn to stay calm much faster than trying to baby them into being good. Poodles are like horses they can sense if you are trying to fool them into something. Stay calm, talk soothingly and don't give up.

brownlikewoah · 01-24-2013, 02:02 PM

What is it you are trying to do with her face? Handle it? Brush it? Shave it? Start with handling, be very gentle. Just gently rub with your fingers. Hold her head in your hand in what I call a 3 way brace- with your left hand, put your thumb on the top of her nose, a finger at the back of her head, and one under her chin. That will keep her head stable and you will have more control. Give her treats, short, happy sessions. If you are attempting to clip her face, start by coming up from the neck, it is less scary for puppies than going straight for the nose or eyes.

Baer Paws · 01-24-2013, 02:47 PM

It's called desensitizing. The puppy when being clipped is usually scared of the vibration and sound of the clippers. If you rub the clippers around the face and eventually on the feet and reward the puppy when he calms down then the puppy starts using the thinking side of his brain and not the reacting side of the brain. As the puppy starts to realize that the more he calms down he will be rewarded then he will eventually stay calm during clippings and it doesn't take long at all for a puppy to get used to the clippers. Just use the back side of the clippers, so that the blade is away from the puppy.