I've got a re-homer 3yo wolfhound in who hates being groomed. His coat is very tatty but in all other respects he is a nice, placid, mannerly hound. He's been vet checked, vaccinated and and wormed, so he is ready to go to his new home (already arranged) as soon as he is fully vaccine covered and - hopefully - groomed.

The trouble is I can't groom him. He shows no aggression but simply walks away when a brush appears. This guy is 35" at the shoulder and very muscular so there is nothing I can do to stop him.

Do any of the groomers here have any ideas as to how I might get him done?

enlist the help of a friend, one of you stands infront of him ( baiting him as it were ) with high value treats while you do one brush stroke, then he gets a treat = every brush stroke = he gets a reward, if he hates it that much i'd use a few differnt kinds of high value treats so it's worth his while & hopefully he'll catch on quick that if he tolerates it there's something in it for him.
HTH
:D

Thanks Stanley. I've tried with my husband trying (and failing) to hold him from the front but haven't used treats. Unfortunately he is quite tatty, especially round the chest, neck and belly so getting all of the tats out is going to be unpleasant. Is there any lotion or potion that might ease getting them out?

Could try a de-tangling spray or a conditioner. 

Hi, my breeds don't usually need de-tanglers/conditioners so I know nothing about them. Is there any product that you or others recommend?

I couldn't tell you which type I use as the de-tangle spray is brought by my grandparents and I just used it.  They got it from Pets at home. 

You could also if you have any conditioner put it in a spray bottle with water (approx 1:8) and use that.  It is really just something to soften and loosen the coat.  Also what type of brush/comb are you using?  If you can try a plastic comb, starting with wider teeth then going to finer teeth.  unfortantly the combs I use I doubt you would be able to get hold of as I have to get mine from america. 

Take it abit at a time and don't over do it. 

Is it possible to get him on a raised level?  I know his huge but if you can get him onto something it might make him stay still.  Also keep talking to him and a calm voice.

Something I read somewhere to do for non co-operating dogs is to get someone to stroke them on the stop (inbetween the eyes!)  This is supposed to have a calm effect or something and worked on one of my setters. :)

Good luck!

I've got a vast assortment of combs and brushes gathered over the years, including a wide toothed one. I've got nothing big enough to get him on that I could get him on, or could reach him on if he was on it :). I've been chittering away to him (I chitter to all the dogs all the time anyway :) ) but will try getting hubbie to stroke his stop.

there is a really magic stuff called "cowboy magic" but i cant remember where i bought it!.............if we are lucky Gwen will be along soon and i'm sure she knows where to get it, if not try putting it into your search engine.....totally worth it, the most amazing product!
regards
Pauline

Found it online. Thanks!

i would use the conditioner or de-tangler like Ice queen suggested keep it quite damp and if  the knots are really tight you may have to cut into them or use a splitter do a little at a time and then give him a break I find that if I give a large chew that my girls only have when being groomed works well..... l know hes huge but lie him on his side it will be much easier .
I have beardies who need grooming often... its the only way of getting all the knots out.

Hi, I've tried him on his side - that's the way I finish my own dogs off. He goes down quite happily, but as soon as the dreaded brush or comb appear he's up and walking away:(

I presume that his last owners didn't get him used to grooming as a pup, then hurt him when they did try, then gave up. If he was mine I wouldn't worry as we could work at it slowly but I want to get him to his new owners (and they want him) asap. I don't want to give him to them tatty as they will find teaching him to enjoygrooming if they start with a groomed tangle free coat.

i would put a slip lead on him so he couldnt walk away....my puppy is still not completely happy with being groomed as she gets fed up.... suddenly jumps up and runs off with looks of "I've had enough of that" so I put her slip lead on and sit on it while I groom her and she is bright enough to know she aint going anywhere!!!

~Roni

Ah, but this chap IS going somewhere. even with a slip lead on - and neither husband nor I are strong enough to stop him! :D

OK then I give up!

That's why I'm suggesting things that won't take days to arrive. 

Another thing to get him used to the combs.  get them all in a room with him and brush the other dogs.  I had one dog who didn't like grooming but she soon got jelous when she relised I was going to give up on her and do the others.  I now also have a grooming table and she is the first one to get up every time and stands on the table waiting to be brushed and then get the biscuit! ;) He might cotton on quickly!

Also why don't you show the new owners these ideas everyone has suggested and give them a lesson on how to groom the wolfhounds! :)  I'm sure they would love the advice and help if you can give it to them.