Brushing problem - PLEASE HELP!!!

Hi There,
Our 4 month old corgi, Finn, has been shedding a lot, and we thought instead of splurging on the furminator just yet, we'd try a normal pet hair brush. We bought s a small steel bristle brush, and he completely freaked out, even though were were VERY gentle. Are these brushes harmful to corgi's skin? I've been looking on the site and have not be able to find any info. He's been hiding from us all day and bared his teeth for the first time since we've had him. I'm worried we genuinely hurt him.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Andrea

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Permalink Reply by Carol Rea on June 21, 2010 at 8:07pm

Shedding?? Do corgis shed? And drama? YES! We have 2, and there is enough fur to knit a new corgi, or so we joke. We do have a furminator....now if I could only convince the men in my life that it should be use outside!! Sonny goes under "his desk" to keep from being brushed; I know he must really like it, but he is a very large corgi and there is no way I am going in there to get him out of his corgi cave!

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Permalink Reply by Julia on June 21, 2010 at 11:03pm

I vote for the Zoom Groom to introduce a pup to brushing. I use this to show potential cat adopters how to brush a cat, which really means I show them how to calmly interact and bond with a scared little kitty. Just the other day I had a girl who was afraid to pick up a cat holding her new best friend on her lap like they had been made for each other. This may not do a lot for corgi fur, but it does get some of it, and teaches the pup that brushing = massage.

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Permalink Reply by Carol Rea on June 25, 2010 at 8:37am

What's a Zoom Groom? Will it really take care of cat hair??? Our cat hates to be brushed, and I know she is contributing to the fur problem around here!! Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on June 25, 2010 at 8:51am

Zoom Groom is made by KONG, yes they do have a cat version as well. It works because of static, you can experiment the same principal by putting on a pair of cheap dish washing gloves and try picking up dog hair in your car, very effective.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on June 25, 2010 at 8:55am

I have a soft rubber hand mitt curry that has 2 sides with different sizes and it does work wonderful!

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Permalink Reply by Zach and Lisa on June 25, 2010 at 5:01pm

I would hold a treat in your hand while you brush with the other. Every now and again giving him the treat throughout the brushing and praising. If he acts up, put both hands behind your back and ignore him until he is calm. Once he learns only good comes with brushing he should settle down. Corgis can be drama queens. Just don't reinforce the bad/worried behavior when there really isn't anything to worry about. If you pet him and talk to him all sweet when he is reacting in a way you wish he wouldn't you are only telling him how much you like him to feel that way. Ignore the bad, praise the good. Be consistent!

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Permalink Reply by Vee Luther on June 25, 2010 at 10:53pm

I use the furminator on my three but the new puppy, now about 6 months old, is SO dramatic. He does act just like your Finn. Ben makes noises that sound like he's getting killed--high whiny, squeals! but I keep going and he's now at the point where he'll take his turn in the "line up" of 3 dogs when they see I have the furminator.
Just be sure you're not hurting him and keep going for a minute or two at a time. brushing with some sort of tool has to be part of a corgi's life, I think.

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Permalink Reply by Shelby Shirley on June 26, 2010 at 10:56am

Kong Zoom Groom! When Sadie and Leo were little and just started to shed someone suggested I use that until the real fun begins and the real shedding starts. It's a large rubber nubby brush and by looking at it you wouldn't think it would be of any use. I use both the zoom groom and the furminator now, it's a great combo to battle the fur fight!