Question:
I currently have an unusual grooming technique for brushing Melei, but I know that this method means the groomer is going to hate me

Melei is in her puppy...everything in the mouth....stage, which means when I am trying to brush her, she was twisting every which way to get the slicker brush into her mouth. beyond the general pain in the buttiness it caused, I was worried she would hurt herself on the metal. So I bought a cheap, soft brush that I could never use on her anyway and when it is brushing time, I start with the cheap one and pretend I am going to brush her, then when she attacks that brush, I use the slicker on her. I can even hold it above her head and when she raises her head I can do under her chin. SHe doesn't go after the slicker brush then and I can get her brushed in about 10 minutes or so. I have to brush her everyday, and you can tell right away if she hasn't been done, so I had to get creative. But that may cause problems for her groomer in the future.

Currently, the groomer is only responsible for clipping her hair around her face and pads and keeping the nails down, but as she gets older and gets her adult coat there will be much more for the groomer to do.

Basically what I need is better ideas for keeping her teeth off the brush while grooming...how do you train a pup to stand still for brushing

Answer:
Pretty much the same way the groomer does... use a very thin nylon leash and make the end into a noose by sliding the leash part through the clip then tie the end to a door knob. Then she can't put her head down and you can merrily work around her. BTW, don't worry about the groomer having problems... dogs are always much more pain in the buttskies with mommies than they ever are with the groomer.

Answer:
i for the time being, do all bazils grooming, eyes, feet, nails and I dont know what will happen when he goes to a groomer
lol

Answer:
Don't worry about the groomer. Their job is to get around the teethies.

Answer:
Your method might work but its teaching the pup that playing is fine when being brushed and that the brush is a toy. Groomers will not thank you for this nor will she ever stand properly for you in the future. I would suggest that you put her up on a table or counter with leash thats attached to her collar tied to a plant hanger or nail from ceiling thus enabling you control from her jumping off or lying down, firmly take her muzzle in your hand, stretch her neck upwards, brush under chin and neck area, verbally praise, give a tiny piece of her favourite treat. Make your grooming sessions short (2 min.) in the beginning. This teaches her to listen to you, playtime is not on a grooming table and you can slowly work up to an all over brush-out, even nail clipping, with little resistance. Your pup won't have any trauma when she goes for her 1st. prof. grooming if she's already learned the basics and the groomer will thank you. Good Luck.

Answer:
and I took your advice. I have now weaned her from the brush chewing and she already has learned to believe that grooming is a great time.

I don't use the leash, but when I now grab her grooming bag she runs over to the part of the counter that I put her on and waits to be lifted. I do her legs and then she rolls onto her back for her tummy brush. Then it's back on her feet for the back and putting in the bow.

When I put her down, she struts around and gets quite upset if we don't tell her how pretty she is.

She is such a beauty queen!

Daddy didn't jump up and fawn over her right away this morning so she was at her gate waiting for him...



Answer:
Awww....she is sooo cute.

Glad to hear you`ve conquered the grooming challenge. Sure wish I could with my husky. He`s going for his first grooming visit PDQ.

Answer:
What a little sweetie, and congrats to you for mastering the grooming. Once they know thats its a positive reward at the end of the session most dogs will let you do all thats needed. My 4 all clammer to be 1st on the table as they're such treat hounds. Keep up the good work, if she were one of my clients I'd have a hard time to resist cuddle breaks.

Answer:
LOL! our dogs could be sisters! What an adorable baby!

Here's my Lucy(A shih-tzu/Poodle) when she was 10 weeks old. Now she's 4 months old and looks exactly like your Melei(even the tear stains are identical!)

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