giraffez Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 My pup has been much much better on the grooming table after 2 weeks. However, I still can't get him to stand still. Alot of the times when he gets nervous, he climbs onto my shoulders. How can I get him to stop doing that? Sometimes it helps when i need to brush his underside but when he is on my shoulder, i can't trim the face. He also despises the clipper on his ears. He tries to bit the clipper everytime i try to trim the ears. Is there something i can do to stop that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowgirl Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 This worked for my mini poodle when I had to get him used to the clippers and grooming... Firstly, lots of little treats at the ready. I would basically sing through the whole thing, sounds weird, but the idea was to keep a steady flow of happy sounds... not any actual song, just silly made-up stuff about what a good boy he was. If he moved, I'd keep singing, gently place him where I wanted him, immediate treat, and keep going. He freaked out over the clippers at first, so I gave a treat, and just turned the clippers on, another treat (plus the stupid singing). When he was okay with that, I rubbed the back of the clippers over him while they were on, again lots of treats. Once he was okay with the clippers on and rubbing on him, I turned them over for a little clip, quick treat, another clip, quick treat until he wasn't bothered by them at all. One of my best investments was the Wahl Pocket Pro, a small battery operated clipper. The blade is only about 2cm wide. It's fantastic for faces and quick touch ups. Might be worth looking into as it's much less invasive than a huge clipper coming at them Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 This worked for my mini poodle when I had to get him used to the clippers and grooming... Firstly, lots of little treats at the ready. I would basically sing through the whole thing, sounds weird, but the idea was to keep a steady flow of happy sounds... not any actual song, just silly made-up stuff about what a good boy he was. If he moved, I'd keep singing, gently place him where I wanted him, immediate treat, and keep going. He freaked out over the clippers at first, so I gave a treat, and just turned the clippers on, another treat (plus the stupid singing). When he was okay with that, I rubbed the back of the clippers over him while they were on, again lots of treats. Once he was okay with the clippers on and rubbing on him, I turned them over for a little clip, quick treat, another clip, quick treat until he wasn't bothered by them at all. One of my best investments was the Wahl Pocket Pro, a small battery operated clipper. The blade is only about 2cm wide. It's fantastic for faces and quick touch ups. Might be worth looking into as it's much less invasive than a huge clipper coming at them Good luck I think if I sing, he will probably wish he had ear plugs in I tried treats but when he is on the grooming table, he doesn't eat it. He is doing much better compared to when i first got him... i was initially bitten everytime I touched him. Now he is a lot calmer but there is still a distance to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 To be honest i dare say your lack of experience is whats the biggest issue. It wont stand like a robot as yet BUT you must be consistent in what you expect. When pup jumps up which is very normal calmly but confidently place back down using your command word"stand" & just keep at it.If it continues to wiggle a firm but gentle argh is used & stand. Pup will stand BUT many have a tainty but dont give up during this stage or bribe ,Its your terms only . Also consider the technique your using & the way your holding ,if pup isnt secure it will panic We dont bribe any of our pups when grooming.it marks it harder & longer & they expect it all the time & there is no need too, Your Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 To be honest i dare say your lack of experience is whats the biggest issue.It wont stand like a robot as yet BUT you must be consistent in what you expect. When pup jumps up which is very normal calmly but confidently place back down using your command word"stand" & just keep at it.If it continues to wiggle a firm but gentle argh is used & stand. Pup will stand BUT many have a tainty but dont give up during this stage or bribe ,Its your terms only . Also consider the technique your using & the way your holding ,if pup isnt secure it will panic We dont bribe any of our pups when grooming.it marks it harder & longer & they expect it all the time & there is no need too, Your Yes I agree that my lack of experience is giving my pup the advantage The breeder made it seem like a piece of cake... or maybe he was being an angel so we would take him home I try to secure the pup by using my hand and wrapping it under the jaw. I find this does not give me much control though... as soon as he struggles, I lose my hold. I noticed in the schnauzer pet days, the groomers grabbed the beard... but Teddy's beard is not long enough. What is the correct way of controlling the pup I must say he is doing well with me clipping the hair on the side of his eyes.... 2 weeks ago, I couldn't get my scissors anywhere near that area. Now he would stay still for a while. Never the less a big improvement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowgirl Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 (edited) Oh, another idea... I did a short WEA night course in home grooming as well. Before I did the course, Chester and I kind of trained each other... I was lucky that he responded to my 'training techniques' but consistancy and staying calm also helped . The WEA course was great because they showed correct grooming techniques and how to hold the dog while you're doing it. Chester did have a bad habit of pretending that I was killing him when I brushed his legs and the course showed me exactly how to deal with it. Edited June 5, 2009 by yellowgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 (edited) Do you use a grooming arm with a neck noose and a lower body noose to hold him on the table? Edited June 5, 2009 by STITCH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 Do you use a grooming arm with a neck noose and a lower body noose to hold him on the table? no, my so call grooming table is simply the top of my washing machine I know a grooming arm and neck noose will make it easier but I don't think i should be using that as the dog should know to stand still eventually Usually i can groom the side i am standing facing..... but when i do the other side, he switches back. I tried moving to the other side so I"m facing the other side, but he follows me and switches around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 He is a young baby still, give him time and you work on the basics, there is no need to be using the clippers or scissoring around his eyes yet, he's already had one trim and some minis will go several months before they have a first trim. Just keep the grooming sessions short. What are you doing to make him nervous? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stitch Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) When you use a grooming table, grooming arm and all the attachments,etc. you are actually teaching your dog how to correctly stand and be groomed. That is what these aides do, they prevent the dog from learning bad habits and correct ones that they have learnt. He moves because he either doesn't understand or otherwise it is his way of getting out of being groomed, and this is a learnt behaviour. Just like anything else you do around dogs, when grooming you should give yourself and the dog every chance of having a successful and positive experience and a lack of control usually is not a happy experience for all concerned. Edited June 6, 2009 by STITCH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 (edited) Giraffez - he is very much a baby still! You need to teach/guide him into the correct way, as STITCH said ... make sure he cannot do the wrong thing, and praise him for doing the right thing How often are you clipping/grooming him? maybe he also has sore skin from over zealous grooming? puppy skin is tender! edited to add- do these dogs really need constant trimming, etc? does their coat grow so quickly? Had friends who used to show mini Schnauzers- but I can't remember how often grooming/clipping was done.....didn't seem to be all that often...and was always frenetic at showtime! Edited June 6, 2009 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 He is a young baby still, give him time and you work on the basics, there is no need to be using the clippers or scissoring around his eyes yet, he's already had one trim and some minis will go several months before they have a first trim.Just keep the grooming sessions short. What are you doing to make him nervous? Sorry i think i am giving the wrong impression that i am doing the clipping everyday/frequently. I have only started to clip the bum this week and not planning to clip his body. i want to get Teddy used to the sound of the clippers while he is young.... the next full clip will not be required until a couple of months later..... i want to expose him to this so when he is ready for his full clip, he won't be too nervous. Same with scissoring. I'm finding its actually paying off for both the puppy and myself. I am gaining confidence while teddy is simply getting accustomed to the process. He is not afraid of it any more like when we first brought him home. Most of the time, I just use the side of the scissors to touch the area between his nose and eyes so he can get use to the feeling... not actually cutting anything. I know it takes time but I just want to make sure I am doing it correctly to lessen any nervous-ness (if there is such a word ) What am I doing to make him nervous ?... i don't think its me i think its the sound of the clippers. so yep, i'm blaming it on the clippers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 in 25 yrs of grooming i have never used an arm or body holder,no need too. What am I doing to make him nervous ?... i don't think its me laugh.gif i think its the sound of the clippers. so yep, i'm blaming it on the clippers It wont be the clippers but i guarantee the way you are holding. I gather you have a mat for pup to stand on?? If your finding pup hard to hold then use your puppy collar. I would highly suggest you practise more on your holding technique before practising again.As someone who has groomed for years an insecure dog can play up bigtime. So practise the best way to without anything in the clipper/scissor hand. Our clippers are quarter horse power & the pups are done at 7/8 weeks with them & 99% dont worry. edited to add- do these dogs really need constant trimming, etc? does their coat grow so quickly?Had friends who used to show mini Schnauzers- but I can't remember how often grooming/clipping was done.....didn't seem to be all that often...and was always frenetic at showtime! As a pet now as a showdog they are done weekly . The showring they are clipped,scissored & coat maintenance done every week. For a pet groom we suggest if doing it yourself every 4 weeks until very offay & then 6/8 weeks with just brushing in between. Most of our puppy owners who groom come back once a year to make sure thegrooming right & then they can follow the outline but all ours start after there 12 months & trained Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted June 6, 2009 Share Posted June 6, 2009 Take a step back and just stick with brushing and combing him. Most pups are fine about being clipped and he has already had one experience of this. I would still recommend that you get a trained groomer to do his next few trims so he is learning the correct way to behave, 2 novices together isn't always the best mix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 in 25 yrs of grooming i have never used an arm or body holder,no need too.What am I doing to make him nervous ?... i don't think its me laugh.gif i think its the sound of the clippers. so yep, i'm blaming it on the clippers It wont be the clippers but i guarantee the way you are holding. I gather you have a mat for pup to stand on?? But most of the time its when i turn the clippers on he makes the jump onto my shoulders. Yeah I have a slip free mat which he stands on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted June 7, 2009 Share Posted June 7, 2009 in 25 yrs of grooming i have never used an arm or body holder,no need too.What am I doing to make him nervous ?... i don't think its me laugh.gif i think its the sound of the clippers. so yep, i'm blaming it on the clippers It wont be the clippers but i guarantee the way you are holding. I gather you have a mat for pup to stand on?? But most of the time its when i turn the clippers on he makes the jump onto my shoulders. Yeah I have a slip free mat which he stands on I agree with Becks. It would be best to get a professional groomer/your breeder to show you how to clip him for the first few times. When the puppy "puts his paws on your shoulders" gently place him back on his four feet and repeat your "stand stay" command. Also use this command when brushing him. He will get used to it. I do reward for good behaviour on the table and I do not use a grooming noose either, just teach my dogs to stand quietly. It will take a while but he will improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Just put one hand on his collar so he can't jump up when you turn the clippers on. Sounds like he is using this as a distraction technique on you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giraffez Posted June 9, 2009 Author Share Posted June 9, 2009 Thanks for the tips all. Appreciate your advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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