Drier Woes With 15 Week Old Pup .... Help

[NoodleNut]

I tried using the drier (proper dog drier) on Noodle (15 weeks old) last weekend when I bathed her (been so darn hot that I have not needed to use it and she has gone 'el natural' ... cools her down) Important that she gets used to the drier ... she is a Puli!!

Good grief! She is having a dream in her crate .. goodness knows what she is dreaming ... sheep perhaps LOL ... I digress .. back to the question ...

The drier .... 'Not happy Jan!" She tries to 'attack' the nozzle of the drier. I turned it down very low (barely a breath of air ) and she was still not happy. Barked, growled at the nozzle and tried to 'get it' .. didn't bite it but had her mouth open ... not sure if it is the wind in the face reaction (dog out of car window mentality .. no she doesn't do that .. just trying to give you an example) or what No I wasn't pointing it at her face ... she would turn to do this.

Any suggestions from members as to techniques I can use to improve her reaction to the drier? Tried liver treats and bit of cheese ... absolutely NO interest.

have posted this message in teh 'Puppy Problems' thread as well.

Help :D

[Christina]

Big bad noisy driers can be so scary for dogs if they are not used to them.

I get my puppies used to the noise 1st at about 5 weeks old but dont blow it on them for the 1st few times. Then I hold the puppy close to me so the dryer goes on both of us & talk reassuringly to them. It also stops then freaking out & jumping away or biting at it. This only takes one go & then they are fine.

She is just scared so start her this way like a big baby.

Forced when terrified,by some stupid people, with a high velocity drier I have actually seen a few dogs go into fits so go gently but firmly & she will soon be fine. Dont start then stop when she kicks up,unless she is absolutely hysterical,which she shouldn't be. They do all get used to it.

[Rysup]

I find it takes ages for young puppies to get used to the big dryer. I start early and use it very regularly. My pups are almost 6 months old and are only now starting to accept it. I have been bathing and drying them regularly since about 12 weeks old.

Patience & perserverance is what it is all about!

[Miranda]

You just need to persevere NoodleNut, just keep doing it and don't put up with any of her tanties, be firm and she'll get used to it eventually, trust me I assume you're using a table, but if you're not a grooming table will make it heaps easier. I usually groom my older dogs outside the puppy pen so the pups get used to the sounds of the clippers and the hydrobath and dryer from when they're tiny babies, I find that helps when I start bathing and grooming them at 8 weeks.

[NoodleNut]

Thank you all for your comments - looks like perserverence and treating her like a big baby in getting her used to the drier will be the order of the day. Being a Puli whe has a very wash and wear coat. It has been so darn hot in Melbourne that I haven't needed to use the drier as she 'drip dries' herself (with a lovely tumble in the microfibre towels and the help of a very absorbant chamois ... works a treat to get the drips out!) and it is a great way to cool her off and then get her to expend all of that pent up energy that she has been keeping from keeping still and cool all day!! I realise she needs to get used to it though - a catch 22. I will persist ... just another one of those times where persistence is worth it in the long run, toilet training etc (we are crate training her too ... she has really settled down so it is heartening to see her sleeping soundly in her 'den').

You are right that she is not 'stressed' just VERY HYPED!! I found that last time I used it that it was better if our daughter held her and I dried her and our daughter - might try that again as it may desentsitise her. Tara is nearly 6 so I am not sure how long she will be able to have her on her lap (Noodle is growing like a mushroom!) keeping her calm. Noodle knows to go to Tara for pats and to sit on her lap so she is very comfortable with her (mind you Tara can go right off at Noodle when Noodle is mouthing a little too much! Arms crossed, back turned and looking at the ceiling and she has the 'Ah Uh!' thing down pat)

Thanks again for the advice!

[Clyde]

Are you sure you haven't been sold a Border Collie?

[Rysup]

If you want to "practice" see if your vacuum can go in reverse......and use that on her. Its not as hot as a normal dryer, but still has the blow and noise.

I just tend to hold the pup with one hand, and the nozzle of the dryer in the other and worry about any grooming once they are dry. They eventually learn to settle. My current baby hides his head over my shoulder, but thats fine, I just keep at it, and he has slowly started to just sit down and accept it all.

My best dogs to blow dry are the ones who I bathed every week for the first 6 -12 months. The ones who I didnt bath every weekend, are no where near as good!

[NoodleNut]

If you want to "practice" see if your vacuum can go in reverse......and use that on her. Its not as hot as a normal dryer, but still has the blow and noise.

I just tend to hold the pup with one hand, and the nozzle of the dryer in the other and worry about any grooming once they are dry. They eventually learn to settle. My current baby hides his head over my shoulder, but thats fine, I just keep at it, and he has slowly started to just sit down and accept it all.

My best dogs to blow dry are the ones who I bathed every week for the first 6 -12 months. The ones who I didnt bath every weekend, are no where near as good!

Ahh..... so glad you said that about the every week wash .. that is what I am doing (for that very reason of getting her used to the bath before she is full grown and it is in the middle of winter).. it is hot too at the moment so a good time to get her used to water and the whole bath process ... she is really starting to calm down and not fret or shake for that matter while being bathed ... thank goodness!! I get drenched!. Justa very small amout of mild shampoo and conditioning rinse (doesn't seem to have any problems with her skin. She is happy enough for me to clip the hair between the pads on her feet .. ususally weekly - doesn't usually kick up a fuss.

The vaccum she doesnt mind at all ... no fear or barking .. nothing .. same with the lawnmower, wipper snipper, goats, ponies etc. However the mop and the broom are another story ... barks at both when they are being used .. what is it about mops and brooms ... weird!!

I will try the technique you have described Rysup asn see how I go.

[NoodleNut]

Are you sure you haven't been sold a Border Collie?

Hi Clyde,

Well, you are on the money with that comment. Not sure what the rest of the Puli community would say but Puli are working dogs, intelligent and from what I researched before we decided on the breed (I spent from March last year researching breeds before deciding on a Puli and then got her in Jan this year) very similar in temperament to a Border Collie or Kelpie. But she is a PULI ... like no other dog .... grin ... just a touch biased!! :p

[Pulilover]

Hi Noodlenut

You have been given some good advice. It is quite common for Pulis to initially attack the dryer or vacuum. They feel out of control they need to get that big noisy thing before it gets them!

I start my puppies with a normal hair dryer on low heat setting - much quieter than a dog dryer. I cuddle them while they are on the table and start holding the dryer far away and gradually get closer and closer with time and it could take a few weeks. I never push them to the next level until they are ready.

Next step I introduce the noisy dog dryer. On low setting I have the unit as far away as possible and dry with one hose to start with, again cuddling the pup (and to an extend preventing them from jumping off the table ). A grooming table is a must so that they have a designated area for the job.

Once they are comfortable with this I progress them to the crate, again on low setting and only for a few minutes to start with.

You don't actually need the dog dryer until the cords have started or unless you are finishing for a show, but it is essential you get your pup used to the big dryer early.

[NoodleNut]

You don't actually need the dog dryer until the cords have started or unless you are finishing for a show, but it is essential you get your pup used to the big dryer early.

Hi Pulilover

I agree I don't need to use the drier ... just trying to get her used to lots of things before she gets too old/big ... much easier while she is little. I agree the advice is great ... will try it out next time she has a bath and persist. My hairdryer is noiser than my dog drier and a higher pitch - would imagine this would be more distressing for her .. I aslo have more control of the noise/airflow on the dog dryer than the hairdryer too.

[Clyde]

Are you sure you haven't been sold a Border Collie? :rolleyes:

Hi Clyde,

Well, you are on the money with that comment. Not sure what the rest of the Puli community would say but Puli are working dogs, intelligent and from what I researched before we decided on the breed (I spent from March last year researching breeds before deciding on a Puli and then got her in Jan this year) very similar in temperament to a Border Collie or Kelpie. But she is a PULI ... like no other dog .... grin ... just a touch biased!! :cool:

:D I had no idea that Puli were working dogs(or anything about them for that matter). But I do groom a lot of Borders who go dryer crazy which is why I immediately thought of that. Thanks for the info!!

[Rysup]

I would guess if she has no issues with the vacuum or whipper snipper etc, then its not the noise, its the blowing on her.

I have a Lhasa here who DETESTS being blown on. I had to teach her very strongly that she HAD to lay still while I dried her head. She hated every minute of it, but learnt to put up with it. You got the same reaction if it was windy or you blew on her face!!

[NoodleNut]

I would guess if she has no issues with the vacuum or whipper snipper etc, then its not the noise, its the blowing on her.

I have a Lhasa here who DETESTS being blown on. I had to teach her very strongly that she HAD to lay still while I dried her head. She hated every minute of it, but learnt to put up with it. You got the same reaction if it was windy or you blew on her face!!

Ahhh ... good point 99!! Hadn't thought about that. She also does not like it when we blow in her face (another strategy we use if she starts to nip - our 9 year old uses this as his strategy of choice whereas the 6year old has the 'Aha' down pat (with the usual turning the back looking at the ceiling and ignoring by walking away... both strategies works...she is only 15 weeks so she is getting the point that mouthing gets you no play and either ignored or blown in the face I haven't seen Noodle on a windy day ... cringe .. I hope this is not going to set her off (groan).

This forum is great - lots of different perspectives! Thanks guys.

[NoodleNut]

I had no idea that Puli were working dogs(or anything about them for that matter). But I do groom a lot of Borders who go dryer crazy which is why I immediately thought of that. Thanks for the info!!

Hi Clyde ,... as a groomer .....What age do you advocate a dog attending the grooomers? To get used to someone else handling the dog? I am intending to groom Noodle myself but must admit in the dead of winter I may relent and have someone else bath her and dry her off (not completely of course ... they would be there for hours!! ) I am bathing, trimming the hair under the pads of her feet, trimming a bit around her back end (need to consult my breeder or other Puli breeders about that one) drying her, trying to pluck those ears of hers ... darn hard .... I'm working on this skill .. not a skills I have ever had to acquire or master as my past dogs were a Husky and a Heinz 56 terrier growing up . Slightly off the originally thread but still under the same subtopic of 'grooming' ... LOL .... feel free to add comments (anyone out there in DOL land).

[storm]

Hi

I also have pulik and my girls have been going to the groomers since the day they arrived at home.

This gets them use to the hydro bath, the dryers and having someone else handle them and they get to socialize with others.

Both my girls love the dryer so Im not much help but agree just take it slow and she will get use to it.

Are you going to show her as this will depend on how you groom/trim etc?

[NoodleNut]

Hi

I also have pulik and my girls have been going to the groomers since the day they arrived at home.

This gets them use to the hydro bath, the dryers and having someone else handle them and they get to socialize with others.

Both my girls love the dryer so Im not much help but agree just take it slow and she will get use to it.

Are you going to show her as this will depend on how you groom/trim etc?

Hi Storm,

No, not showing her ... just a member of the family. Just very aware that Noodle needs to be well socialised and develop some good manners with consistent training and get used to being groomed by either myself or a professional. Melbourne has been unusually hot these past few weeks so a bit of a waste taking her to a groomers. Any suggestions about recommended groomers in teh outer easter 'burbs of Melbourne ... am I allowed to ask that question on DOL?? Apologies if I have asked the wrong thing ......

There are not many Puli around so having her 'look her best' is helpful when promoting the breed or people ask questions ... hope that doesn't sound ridiculous. We don't want her in full 'show coat' ... more manageable shorter coat ... have to wait and see really. Our first Puli. She has been for a walk this morning before the heat and is now laying underneath my chair She had fun chasing butterflies this morning ..... must be one of the cutest things a puppy can do ... bounding around trying to catch a butterfly.

Her training at home is going really well ... persisting ... can't wait for obedience to start at the end of the month.

[storm]

Hot doesnt come close, I have just spent the last week down there and it was stinky hot.

I took my girls with me so there could both be groomed while there.

I dont know anyone on your side of town, when I lived in Melbourne I was on the western side.

One is 15 months old and changing coat and it looks like a bird nest so quickly, so it was good to get help.

My dogs use to go to the groomers every fortnight and they enjoyed there day.

If not showing clipping around the bum is a great idea and under the chin.

My girls both love the water and will chase the hose, jump to catch rain drops and lay in there clam pool

Do you have a copy of the puli grooming book, Striking the right cord?

if not its worth getting, its great as its in simple terms and shows how to go things.