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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on November 2, 2011 at 9:56pm

Try giving great treats while grooming. It did not work with my Sparty who is very wary of any brushing or foot handling so I just muzzle him and go at it.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on November 2, 2011 at 10:25pm

How does he best like to interact with you, cuddling or playing?  Whichever it is, use that to reward tolerating grooming.  It's easier (and more obvious) to sneak this in if he likes to cuddle.  If he likes playing better--- and he sounds like a Corgi who probably does---  then hold his brush, touch it gently to him and throw the ball.  Have him bring it back, repeat.  Gradually work up to giving him one or two quick brush strokes before he plays.  Don't do this every play session or he'll resent it.  And keep each session short--- two or maybe three quick brushes per session.  You can also, say, pick up a foot or lift a lip in much the same manner.

 

If he likes to cuddle and doesn't like the brush, I'd look into a different brush because it might irritate him; usually though dogs who don't like grooming also don't like cuddling. 

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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on November 2, 2011 at 11:18pm

with the tooth brushing with Franklin I started by just putting some poultry toothpaste on the brush and letting him lick it off. I did that several times and then slowly introduced brushing and ended each session by letting him lick some paste of the brush. What kind of flea and tick medicine do you use? Many grocery store brands burn and hence he will get upset when you put it on. If its Frontline or Advantix, they usually aren't as irritating. I usually put on the preventative when Frank is eating bc he hates the product too and is distracted when he is eating so I just put it on quickly and he doesn't like it but then immediately just goes back to eating.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on November 3, 2011 at 1:39am

No clue.  To comb Gwynnie, I have to catch and restrain her.  For Al, it's a massage, he falls asleep in my arms.  Go figure.

For pedicure, Al would scream like I'm amputating his nose.  I had to have my wife's assistance; she would distract and reassure him, that helped immensely.

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Permalink Reply by Jane on November 3, 2011 at 9:27am

What works for us is treats. Lots and lots of tiny treats.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on November 3, 2011 at 12:07pm

If you have done any clicker training, that might also work.

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Permalink Reply by Alison & Jason Godoy on November 3, 2011 at 12:24pm

Thank you to everyone who has suggested what they do below, I really appreciate all your suggestions! I am going to try some of the tips provided below. Since he interacts with us mostly by playing rather than cuddling, I will introduce some of the grooming such as brushing him with play sessions.

Mac just turned a year old in October and we use to be able to clean his ears, put the simple guard (flea and tic medicine) on him, and brush his teeth until a few months ago (which is when he got neutered) and that is when I noticed that he started giving us issues with grooming him. He is fine when I take him to the groomer and my in-laws can apply the simple guard on him but he is not letting my husband and I do any kind of grooming to him!

 

I thank you all again for your tips and advice.

 

 

 

 

 

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