Grooming is something that needs to be done to dogs with long fur or those that are prone to matting. Grooming is done to keep their coat healthy, and that should be done as a routine.
However, it is easier said than done, especially in grooming some dogs. A dog that has just arrived in your home may have no or bad experience in grooming. A bad grooming experience could make them fearful or unresponsive during a grooming session.
Some dogs that hated grooming tend to get aggressive while some tend to make fearful cries. If grooming becomes a stressful time for you and your fur friend, it may not become a part of your routine.
However, as a dog parent, there are ways that you can do to make grooming an enjoyable time for them. Here are four steps that you can follow in grooming a dog that hates grooming.
Four steps in Grooming a Dog That Hates Grooming
1. Provide a distraction
If grooming comes as a bad experience for your puppy, showing up with a brush could trigger one of their bad memories.
The first step that you need to do is get them used to the feeling of a brush. Let them touch and feel the brush to let them know that it is not a weapon or something to be afraid of. Remember that the vital part, in the beginning, is to calm and comfort your canine companion throughout the process.
You have to have a distraction for you to achieve this feat of putting the brush against them. The best way to do this is to have a snack or treat that can distract them momentarily, like the Chase ‘n’ Chomp Sticky bone. It is a chew toy that can float and stick to any flat surface. You can also fill it with cream cheese or any food that your puppy loves to have.
Please take advantage of this treat and attach it to your bathroom tile or fridge to keep them distracted. As your puppy gets comfortable being brushed and groomed, you can remove the treat during grooming.
However, using a chew toy is an excellent start to distraction that can help overcome your puppy’s fear of brushes. Use the chew toy as a distraction at the start, but do not allow too much distraction to lead the grooming session to a playing session.
2. Prepare the coat
If your dog’s fur is long, you can prepare the skin before brushing it to prevent excessive pulling. This step is similar to applying conditioner to your hair. A good way to prepare the coat is by adding a dry shampoo like ‘Pet Head.’ You can apply it by simply spraying it to your puppy’s fur with a little rub to spread it.
The Pet Head dry shampoo has a blueberry scent that entices your fur friend to comfortable grooming. This can be used during road trips since it is convenient and easy to apply to your pup.
You don’t need to rinse after applying it, so you can easily use it even while you are in the car. Its different smell differentiates it from other dry shampoos. Chemicals used are also not harmful to your dog, so you don’t have to worry about consuming it.
These shampoos are also approved as human quality standards products. The ‘Pet Head’ shampoos are made with neutral acidity and free of petroleum derivatives to prevent any harm. They will keep the healthiness of your dog’s coat as well as adding a fragrant blueberry scent.
3. Use a gentle brush
Some of your fur friends do not like a regular brush. Normal brushes tend to pull on curly fur, which might cause discomfort. What you can do is to buy a brush that is quite different and makes your puppy feel comfortable when brushing them. One of the brushes that you can use is the detangling hairbrush Tangle Teezer brush.
This brush can help your canine companion have a fun grooming time with you. It is so gentle that it can make your dog fall asleep while brushing them. It can also remove lots of dead hair that are tangled on their coat in a way that doesn’t hurt them. It is very easy and convenient to use, catering to different breeds such as Shih Tzu and Terrier.
The detangling hairbrush Tangle Teezer has a plum flavor and improved bristles for better dual-action. It can be used on wet or dry hair because of its memory flex technology that gives quick and smooth results. It is also palm-friendly due to its enhanced ergonomic design. It also detangles hair painlessly and also does not use electricity or heat to be used.
4. Control your actions
At the beginning of a grooming session, you have to know if your puppy feels comfortable; otherwise, make them comfortable first. Do it slowly at first so that you need to know the pace your puppy is comfortable with during grooming.
If they become agitated during the grooming session, give them a treat or snack to calm them down. Compliment them for doing a good job and try it again the next day.
You can try doing it as a routine so that your puppy can overcome the fear of being brushed. Make it a habit of brushing them in the morning or before bringing your puppy for a walk. This is to help your puppy adapt to brushing as a part of their daily routine.
Slowly increase the grooming time that you allot during the morning until you have achieved a full brushing time for your fur friend.
Always remember the state your puppy is in during your grooming session. Remember to keep them calm and comfortable at all times for your time together to be fun and enjoyable. Avoid any unnecessary movements that may hurt or scare your canine companion. All of this will lead to grooming as one of the bonding moments you will share.
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