Grooming an unsocialized pup

• 04-27-2008 10:21 AM

  Whoa Nellie Joined on 04-24-2008 Mississippi, Delta Posts 55 Points 0

  Grooming an unsocialized pup Reply Contact I recently took in a chinese crested puff who is 2 years old (allegedly and born in Utah) from Arkansas. He will need a trim for summer and I really need some advice on how to proceed. I have turned on the clippers and just laid them on his body around neck, back, etc to get him accustomed to the noise and vibration. Any advice would be appreciated. He really freaked out when I tried to trim some hair around his neck. I know he was shaved down last year as the previous owner said he was covered in mats, ticks, fleas,etc when she got him last fall. He is learning some trust, but is still very frightened by new things (do not think he had ever been kept inside), and is lightening fast in response time. I really can only imagine what his life was like before coming here.

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• 04-27-2008 7:43 PM

  In reply to Whoa Nellie

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,715 Points 710

  Re: Grooming an unsocialized pup Reply Contact  Try this: http://www.clickertraining.tv/product.html?item=KPDLBK148R More: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002b/grooming.htm   You get what you reinforce, not what you want. ~ Bob Bailey Disclaimer: The dog.com forum posting rules require that members post a disclaimer when linking to training or behavior sites. As a professional trainer, any advice or links I offer are based on my years of experience with my own dogs, rescued/shelter dogs, and my clients’ dogs, but still may not fit your individual situation with your dog(s). I advise that you seek competent professional advice before trying any training or behavior modification techniques on your own dog(s).

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• 05-09-2008 9:54 AM

  In reply to Whoa Nellie

  CoBuHe Joined on 08-03-2007 Magnolia, TX Posts 556 Points 35

  Re: Grooming an unsocialized pup Reply Contact Sounds like you need to start from scratch.  My suggestion would be to non-chalantly hold the clippers like its no big deal around your dog.  Talking calmly and softly, let him check it out, explore it.  You may even lay it down on the ground and place a treat on it...letting the dog take the treat and praise softly.  Do this for several days or longer if you feel you should.  All of this with no power.  Just let him get used to the tool.  And the whole time, you are acting like its no big deal.  In fact, don't even look at it or him while he is checking it out.  Baby steps. Then, with no power, and you feel like the time is right...give him a little massage with the tool, maybe on the chest or belly or top of the head.  Wherever you know he likes to be pet or massaged.  Then treat and praise.  This may take a few days. Then, when you feel he has accepted the clipper with no power;  next step is to have the clipper in your hand, put the power on, but ignore him.  Walk around non-chalantly with the power on, like its no big deal.  Then, when you feel like the time is right, just show it to him with the power on just for a second or two.  Keep doing this until he shows no fear.  Treat and praise.  You may have to do this for a week or so. Then, when you feel like the time is right, do the above, and just for a few seconds then touch him with the power on, but no clipping (turn it over), treat and praise.   Eventually, he will realize that its not going to hurt him and that YOU are not going to hurt him.  The first time you clip, do it for just a few seconds...then stop.  Treat and praise.  You'll be able to do more as time goes on. Good luck!  And, I'm sure there are professional groomers on the board that will have other suggestions for you.

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• 05-11-2008 5:05 PM

  In reply to CoBuHe

  Whoa Nellie Joined on 04-24-2008 Mississippi, Delta Posts 55 Points 0	Re: Grooming an unsocialized pup Reply Contact Just thought would post some before and after grooming pics of Zebo.
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• 05-11-2008 5:24 PM

  In reply to Whoa Nellie

  sl2crmeg Joined on 10-08-2006 New Smyrna Beach, FL Posts 2,106 Points 225	Re: Grooming an unsocialized pup Reply Contact He looks great!
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• 05-11-2008 7:10 PM

  In reply to sl2crmeg

  Whoa Nellie Joined on 04-24-2008 Mississippi, Delta Posts 55 Points 0	Re: Grooming an unsocialized pup Reply Contact Thank you. I still cause a razor burn under their neck when I groom, makes me feel so badly, tried a comb attachment but did not trim close enough. I think I need a 30 blade and can't seem to find a trimmer with that size. My large clippers are too big for the face area on the chinese cresteds.
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