Question:hi,
i have a 10 month old shih tzu who never co-operates when i try and groom him. i always need to distract him with something like a toy or occasionaly food which he gets bored with after 2 minutes and ends up jumping off to do something else. He gets matted quite easily so he does really need to have a quick groom everyday in between his professional grooms.
anyone got any ideas?
thanks x
Answers:
I am glad that you are taking time to groom him everyday. For starters, put a leash on him so that he cannot run off. This will show that you control him. Next, it's perfectly normal for puppies to be in cooperative so try and understand where he is coming from. You are doing the right thing by distracting him but maybe you need to go the the next step and buy a grooming table. Toys are good, but maybe a newer toy that he only gets when he gets groomed. This will get him excited to be groomed. Only give him treats when he behaves.
You need a grooming table with a restraint. And you need to train him to behave on the table. If you are using a grooming arm or leash, he can't leave until you say so.
make sure now one is around
feed him and then groom him
NASA and FBI tried it, both failed. Can't be done!
By grooming I assume you mean brushing, right? If that's the case then I would take him out for a walk to tire him out before you try brushing him. Then put him on a tethered leash and as you're brushing give him reinforcements like "good boy". Don't brush him for too long as he'll get bored and aggravated with you and won't want to be brushed ever again! Just brush him for a few minutes and then let him free. Also try massaging his skin after a few brush strokes. He'll learn to enjoy the one on one time with you and will calm down. Make sure you brush him every day so that he won't need to be shaved during his next haircut. Or maybe you could consider getting him clipped shorter so his hair is easier to brush?
Keep your home grooming sessions short and sweet. Stop brushing him before he starts to act up, while he is still being good. Let him know that you are done and praise him and give him a treat. You want to praise him for being good not give up and stop when he is being difficult because then he knows how to make you stop. Gradually increase your grooming sessions still ending before he acts up. He is still a puppy and will get bored easily that's normal.
Don't give up, keep a firm hold on him, and when he struggles and so on, don't let him go, even if he cries, you know you are not hurting him, but it is his way of saying "well if i cry she lets go, if i wiggle she lets go" He is training you to do what he wants... And don't get frustrated, animals feed off our emotions whether you no it or not, the more you get upset, the more he will.. Alot of patience, and practice and error, and you'll get it. Maybe also do it in a more quiet room away from alot of noise and distractions, keep a bag of goodies with you, and each time he lets you do a bit more reward him, tell him good boy alot. But let him no this will be done, it needs to be done, Just don't give in... I know it sounds harsh but if you keep letting go, and giving up, he wins... And it will make it harder on his groomer, cuz he will then carry on with what happens in home to the groomer..
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