hi all i really need some help. My soft coated wheaten terrier hates being groomed and wont behave and now she stinks and is really notted! im really gently with her and have tryed everything. We sit her on the grooming table and make sure she ok, but when we start to groom her she tryes to put her arms round my sholders she blows into my ear with her nose and kisses my neck. I have tryed to pretend to brush her to get her used to the fact that being brushed doesnt hurt but shes a drama queen and will insist that shes in agony!!!! please help me as i dont know what to do!!

                                                luv dollydaydream (her kennel name!!) xxxx

She probably IS in agony now if her coat is badly matted. Take her to a professional groomer - and don't be surprised if you are told that she needs her coat clipped right back.

My girl loathed being groomed but i used this method to get her to the stage now where she will stand for me for grooming.

I tied her loosely with her lead to something solid (ie crate) and gave one stroke of the brush, then had a quick game with her fav. toy. One stroke of the brush, quick game and so on. After a few days, 2 strokes of the brush, then 3 and so on, until after about a month she was standing like a dream.Sometimes we would play tuggy and sometimes i would quickly unclip her and throw a toy for a chase.

Every few minutes we had a game for about 3 minutes.

It's hard to explain over the net, and if your dog isnt keen on toys, try food treats in the same way.....but very tasty ones such as liver!! ;)

I did also use words to command her, so i used "Stand" and then when i wanted to play, "Ok!!" said in an excited voice.

I hope this may be of some help and hope it works for you if you decide to try it.

Lindsay
X

I suspect you have given in to her a bit. I have a 6 month old affie pup who also hates bathtime, so i use an overhead bar on my grooming table, with gentle harness type "restraints" under the hips and round the collar. That stops him from leaping around, and ensures safety. I know he will eventually learn to cope better, and I treat him during the time on table. This may prevent your dog from "hugging you".
his breeder may also be able to offer you advice and practical help. With my first affie I used to travel to the breeder sometimes and bath her there, and groom her under supervision. I learnt so much that you dont get from books.....she could observe me and tell me where to improve. Without that input I think I would never have got to grips with it.

Cathy, Delilah and Zorro

She has got you exactly where she wants you.

Tie her to something so her head can't come around to you.  Pull her back end out so she is standing straight and just go for it.  Take absolutely no notice of any protests from her, speak to her firmly but quietly.

She will soon get used to it, make it an everyday event and take no nonsense.  Away from grooming teach her a 'trick' to lay on her side, treat her for it and make this fun.  Eventually when she is used to the grooming you can use this to groom underneath her.

If the coat is really bad at this stage, I agree you will have to take her to a professional firstly to get it sorted.

Good luck
Sandra

thanks for your advice i will try the things you suggested. Shadowboxer, i make sure she is not i agony it only her legs and belly that are notted her back is quite shortly cut and there is no nots in it but she still squeals. Ive been round to some freinds house and they say that there dog will only let me brush her cause im gentle, so i know that my dog is not in pain when i brush her. It was more the fact that i want her to enjoy it. I want it to be nice thing for her to have done. Is there anyway of doing this, what about using a massage brush on her?

Dollydaydream xxx

With young dogs/pups its better to do a very little 4 or 5 times every day and treat with tiny really tasty treats (strong cheese, liver cake etc. little fingernail sized ;) )  also try and pick a time when the dog is relaxed already and do just a little bit.  If the dog is playing up and is securely attached to a grooming bar or door, just stand back a little and wait till the nonsense stops and then praise quietly, do a little more and treat before you finish, never let the dog dictate when you're finished.  Another tip is to always groom before taking pup/dog out for a walk - that way they associate it with something good about to happen :)

As time goes on they just get used to it.  I now have to watch mine very carefully as he enjoys it so much he leaps on the table before its properly up and then gets so relaxed he falls asleep :D  He also gets quite put out if he sees me grooming another dog instead of him :rolleyes:
Hope this helps some :)

Regards
Dill

I found it helpful to use a rubbery massage brush because my girl hated the slicker, it really was too much for her, and then as she got more used to being groomed and looked forward to her games, she was happy for me to do anything including using the slicker.

Lindsay
X

Mine used to be a nightmare - try the treats method and persevere - little and often.  I now have a dog that cries if I don't put him on the grooming table.  I always have something tasty that he can stare at - sausage for example and feed them to him during the process.  At the end we have a game of hide and seek the treat.  He loves the whole process and he knows that it only starts with the grooming activity.  Good luck.