Starting to Groom Puppy

[GrizzlysMom]

I just got my 13 week old Cairn puppy Grizzly a few weeks ago. I had a Jack Russell before that was 14 and a slight brushing was all he needed. I've researched what my little guy needs but am having a horrible time getting him to let me attempt to brush him. He would much rather eat the brush than let me use it. I don't remember it being this difficult with my previous baby when I starting brushing with him. Any suggestions on how to get him used to the idea would be great. I've bathed him and hair dryer was disaster so towel dried and tug a war with towel was how it went. I did get his nails ground and he whined and squirmed like crazy but I expected that. Really could use help on how to get him to let me brush him. Tried toy distractions and when he's sleeping with no luck. 

[bradl]

He sounds like a normal Cairn pup at that age. Everything is a game of some sort.

A grooming table and noose will help contain the whirlwind. Also invest in a lot of days of quick "up on the table, brush-brush (couple seconds), treat, down off the table"  30-second grooming sessions. Better than winning a war is to not get in one. Over time you'll be able to spend as much as a minute brushing him   

[GrizzlysMom]

Thanks so much for your advise. I will have to look into a table maybe a portable one as I know I won’t be able to do most of his grooming do to my health but would love to brush him as part of our time.  I have started trying to just get a few strokes and a treat so we’re heading in right direction it sounds like I just need to get his full attention (getting on table) for few minutes so he knows this is Grooming time not play time. 

I looked watvhed the video that’s in another series by accident and am so glad that’s what you have showing what it should look like.  

I’m going to look at handstripping and see if I think I can but read some last night and tried a little today but either his coat isn’t ready or I didn’t understand doing it as nothing came out. He is just now 13 weeks is that too early?

Thanks again for any advice. I tried to upload a pic but all mine say to large. Don’t have a clue as they’re taken with iPhone so not sure how to downsize. 

Edited February 18, 2018 by GrizzlysMom
Changed comment on video reference

[bradl]

If you create a member album for yourself in the Gallery you can upload bigger photos and then link or embed smaller versions. Ask in Forum Support if you run into specific questions. We love photos so you’re bound to get help  

Or, use an app to resize photos. 

 

[GrizzlysMom]

Well here is a try at first resized picture. I did an album with one pic too but not resized. 

He loves getting under couch and belly crawling. He just disappears then we will call for him and suddenly out pops his head like peek a boo. 

[bradl]

Adorable. 

[kieiras mom]

So cute!!!

[Flatpick]

yep, lots of practice for both you and him. The first time we tried to do anything to Piper she resisted. Harness, PFD (we SUP alot) brush, claws.  It all takes time.  Now she's a polite 2 Y/O.  good luck.  BTW- I brush her 2-3 X a week. Takes 10-15 minutes and she actually tolerates it and seems to enjoy.  Especially when you finish with a treat!

 

steve

[Toto-lee Cairn]

GrizzlysMom, your little one looks exactly like mine!  My 'Toto' will be 18 weeks old, tomorrow.  

How to brush a Cairn?  With two brushes -- one in each hand.  While you distract with one, brush with the other!  I am only half-joking. I brush every morning, for as long as Toto will let me, and I try to distract him with most anything -- especially to get him to stand up so I can get the belly area, and maybe underarms.  It's a challenge, and some days are more successful than others.

My little guy is generally a tad calmer, first thing in the morning, after breakfast and a potty break, so I put him on an ottoman beside me, and start scratching and talking to him, and then, with brushes in each hand, try to get the little devil brushed.  He loves carrots, so I can treat him, and keep him occupied.  I think he is getting used to it, but still wants to bite the brush -- even the slicker, with its sharp little needles.  I am afraid he might dislodge one, and swallow it, so I turn the handle towards him, and hold the needle-end in my palm.  Of course, I am constantly trying to discourage any brush-biting, sometimes with more success than others.

I think the best point made, here, was NOT to start a war.  Advice well-taken.

All things come with patience and time.

Nail trimming? It really takes two of us -- one to clip, the other to hold him.  I watched the two vet technicians do it this way.  I think as he gets used to it, it should get better.  This last time, with patience and talking to him, almost constantly, in a soothing tone.  

Treats help throughout the process, or at the end.

The worst is trimming the Weimaraner's nails, but we stumbled onto the trick this past Saturday -- bite of carrot *clip* carrot *clip* carrot *clip* and so on.  

And my husband?  What a hoot -- he trims his own nails on the deck. Maybe he thinks the two Boys will make some sort of association?

[Sam I Am]

I take the cowards way out and pay for our vet tech to trim both our dogs nails.😳

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

While both Pepper and Brodie are eating I comb and brush them....they are too distracted by their dinner to even notice.  Brodie (the youngster) fussed a bit at first, but now he is used to it.  Pepper has always been such a good girl and puts up with the grooming.  I take them to Furever Friends here in Bellingham for toenail trims - $10 each!  A great deal and it only takes a few minutes - much cheaper than the vet.

[Toto-lee Cairn]

I understand completely -- getting someone else to do it.  As smart as Cairns are, too bad we can't teach them to 'spiff' themselves up -- but, as stubborn as they are, they'd be the unruly little boy(s) with the uncombed hair, arguing, 'This is how they wear it, Mom!  All the Cairns, do.'

I had a friend who would drop one dog of hers off at the groomer's, and then would let the second dog ride to pick up Dog 1.  While there, Dog 2 got whisked to the table, nails trimmed!

[Toto-lee Cairn]

With time, all things seem to get better.  Perhaps, because the stinkers come to trust us?

I can brush Toto now, for a considerable length of time, a couple of times each week.  I have to still 'distract' him with something he loves to chew, and only gets then -- he likes his primary-colored keys, or a Kong wubby, so I just tuck them in the box with the grooming tools.  He sees the box come out, now, and wants the toys.

While I am brushing, I also start 'inspecting' all those sensitive areas -- the girl at the groomer's who 'dremeled' his nails for me a while back suggested handling his paws A LOT to get his de-sensitized.  It is helping, too.  My husband can snip nails, while I distract, or hold him still. We also might have to do the nail-snipping in two sessions -- on following days.  Easier than fighting him to get it done.

Each time we have a more 'successful' time of it, it's easier the next time.