tattoogirl73

oh took tricky for her first official grooming session today. we've been getting her used to the shears by lightly trimming her feet, and holding the shears near her. we wanted her face, feet and bum shaving, and a light trim all over. we ended up with a schnauzer beard cut on her face, and her feet shaved but they said they couldn't trim her body because she was stressing out and snapping. i've been brushing her every day to get her used to being handled but she still doesn't like her face being touched :( any advice on what to do next to get her used to being handled? i managed to shave the beard off by bribing her with treats.

groomers trim


my trim

MaryLynn

Touch her face more then, and give her treats when you do it, basically. Tactfully so it's just a small amount of touching at first and treating her LONG before you get a reaction out of her. I would then start treating her more while the clippers are just on and near her face, but not touching it.

I hope that you find a solution!

She is still cute though

lindasdoggrooming

I ask clients to bring treats when they bring their puppies to me to be groomed. I never promise a full groom on puppies. Each one is different, keep working at home. I send puppy owners home with homework and always refer to positive puppy classes. Better that each grooming ends on a positive result and next time will be better.

brownlikewoah

try bringing her in for bath and brush outs often (like at least every 2 weeks- see if they will do a discounted rate for you for coming so often) just so she gets used to the grooming atmosphere, strangers, other dogs, dryers etc. The hair trimming part may be too overwhelming for her at this point. Also, something to consider if she is being touchy about her face, I'm willing to bet she has some crazy puppy teeth stuff going on right now, so it is probably painful for her to have her face messed with at the moment.

__________________

Indiana

You can totally get her used to it; like I tell my dogs, you're poodles, you're gonna have to deal. The trick is a little at a time and try to end on a good note with lots of treats. Also, don't reward her anxiety by comforting her. Be matter of fact. What I did was (and my two were freaked right out by the clippers at first), I cuddled them at night when they were tired and just put the clippers on or near them while the clippers were turned off. After they were used to them, and ducking their faces around the blades to get their favorite treats, I turned on the clippers but kept them a few feet away. Then gradually, over a couple of weeks of a few minutes every night when they were sleepy, I got them desensitized enough to get the humming clippers close to them and then on them but not clipping. After they accepted that, it was a breeze to actually clip them. A little at a time, never to the point of panicking them, but don't give up. Same thing works for almost any thing that is upsetting to them!

Mel

As son as I Sandy as a puppy I was just constantly brushing, blow drying, shaving face once a week. When we were doing puppy class and handling class I would give her the full grooming treatment twice a week to look her best.
From the get go I told her to deal with it and when she tried to bite the clippers I would hold her mouth close and just get it done as quick as possible. Lots of praise and treats when done. She doesn't love having it done but is used to it.

Keep sessions short when they are young. One session do one foot, next maybe later in the day do the other foot..ect.

pinkteaji

Maybe smelly smelly yummy treats during small spurts of grooming sessions will help. Also what I did for my spoo when he was a baby was to go through his face with one finger like I was "shaving" him with my index finger while making a buzzing noise with my mouth (bzzzz). That might be a start if she really hates razors. And like everyone mentioned touching your dog constantly at home really helps. Also you can try putting the razor on her without it turned on and see if that gets a Rxn. No Rxn you can give a treat and praise. I think it's all about being slow, progressive, positive, and practice


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

__________________

tattoogirl73

thanks everyone for the advice. got home from walking opie today to find oh shaving her body she was laid out on his knee, relaxed as anything while he handled her. he had to stop because his shears started overheating so we're going to look into buying a better set. she seemed to like being handled by oh a lot more than by me, but then again he's always had the knack of getting opie to chill out when he's in one of his hyper moods i've gone through loads of treats tonight fussing round her face, and so far she's been ok, but going to give it a rest for now.

here's the handywork of oh



i'm so glad hair grows back :(

outwest

I took my puppy a few times when he was very small, before he had all his shots. I had them shave his face and feet while I held him in my lap. The groomer recommended doing this right from the start. When he was 12 weeks old I left him and he was fine. The breeder had also shaved and bathed him a few times before I got him home at 8 weeks old. The groomer told me that poodle puppies who are conditioned/imprinted to the shaver as newborns by putting the vibrating shaver against their bodies before their eyes are open are much easier to groom.

It sounds like your puppy hasn't been properly conditioned to grooming, but she will get there! Snapping comes from fear or never having had the experience of grooming before. :( Is it possible for you to try again next time, but this time you only have them do the face and feet then leave. Go every week or two for one thing or another (nail trimming one time, Only a bath and brush the next, for example). Most groomers would agree to this and hardly charge much.

Is there another groomer you could try? It doesn't sound like this one was very helpful...

A poodles life is one big bath. They have to do it. It sounds like you are doing a great job trying to get it done.

tattoogirl73

i took tricky to a different groomers at the beginning of this month, and i'm pleased to say that they gave a glowing report of her behaviour. they did say she's still a bit unsure when her face is being shaved but stood perfectly still while they trimmed and shaved everywhere else they called her a little angel and commented on how dog and people friendly she is. will be booking her back in for the beginning of next month. thanks everyone for your advice