miss*westie Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I just had my 6 month old pup de-sexed and when we picked her up the vet said she was very naughty (they said "she did not take well to being restrained"). Her first vet experience was terrible- she flipped out being held still and drew blood with the vet. Since then I have been taking my Coco to puppy school for around 3 months now, and she is alot better. On the occasion though, she goes absolutely nuts flailing around when you hold her in a certain position, like stand, or assisting in the drop position. At puppy school, she always is ok when they do mock vet checks, etc. but it seems that she will do as she is told, she just doesn’t like being forced to do something (especially by strangers). I got her from a pet store (i know the controversy on that) and wonder if she was traumatized as a young pup?? As you can imagine giving her a bath is torture, and I am dreading taking her to her first hair cut. Any suggestions???? thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I would provide positive associations with the aspects that she doesn't like. i.e. giving her treats when she gives you the behaviour that you are looking for and never give attention pat or anything else when she is nervious or playing up. Also learning about leadership will allow your dog to trust you and the decisions you make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss*westie Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 I would provide positive associations with the aspects that she doesn't like.i.e. giving her treats when she gives you the behaviour that you are looking for and never give attention pat or anything else when she is nervious or playing up. Also learning about leadership will allow your dog to trust you and the decisions you make. thanks sas... i'd like to think im doing the right thing? my husband and i always reward with treats for good behaviour and for staying still during baths etc. and we have learned to hold her still until she stops wriggling around and carrying on.. and not giving her attention for being naughty. perhaps could she still be testing us to be "leader of the pack"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 She is probably scared of these things not neccessarly testing the water, learning more about pack leadership allows the dog to trust you. Sounds like you're doing the right things, these things don't cure themselves overnight, keep working on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jejuna Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 When I took my boy to the vets for his vaccinations I gave him treats at the time the needle went in. It helped to take the attention away from what the vet was doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I would suggest you get the hair cut done ASAP & get it done regular,6 months if it hasnt beened trimmed is leaving it late. What breed exactly?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akitaowner Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 the more you do the things they dont like the more they get used to them and what to expect. My baby girl doesnt like me teething her but i persist as i need to be able to do it without her carrying on. Its the same with bathing - i showed my boy so he was bathed weekly from day 1 really and has no problem standing there til ive finished as he knows what to expect and if he fusses it takes longer! i would be getting your pup to a groomers in a hurry - get her done regularly, she should be used to you brushing her anyway also take pup to these places without getting anything done - if everytime u step in the vet they get poked and prodded they arent going to like it!! take her in just to weigh her for example. This is all to do with socialising and exposing pup to new things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Hi..I will suggest doing things in little bits, over a period of weeks......like... stand still for a few seconds..treat stand still for a few seconds LONGER...treat stand still for a few seconds LONGER and have paws OR tail touched briefly...treat stand still for a few seconds LONGER and have paws OR tail picked up...treat and so on, and so on. You may also like to try the watching TV scenario IF she is happy to sit on your lap while watching TV..GRADUALLY start exploring her ears,paws etc and , importantly STOP BEFORE she starts wriggling, or pulls away..so it may only be the lightest touch today.. a bit more tomorrow....then, using a command like "show me feet"..do the same with her standing or sitting next to you....slow, but may be worth trying? I have tried this... and it can work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiefan Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 In terms of grooming, get that done ASAP. I took my guy for his first trim when he was 16 weeks. he was a bit difficult the first time, but now he loves going for his monthly trim. If you live in Sydney I can give you the name of a great groomer who does quite a few westies in our area. Westies are great dogs and mine has a wonderful friendly nature, however they are sooooooooo strong willed and independent and I have found it a bit difficult on the training front, especially recall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss*westie Posted November 19, 2006 Author Share Posted November 19, 2006 thanks for all the help guys =) i feel silly now because when i first got my girl, a couple people told me to wait to get her trimmed and cut until she had a nice long coat? looks like i better schedule something asap! i'm in melbourne, so if anyone had any good groomer recommendations (who specialize in westies would be a nice bonus) please let me know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miss*westie Posted November 19, 2006 Author Share Posted November 19, 2006 Hi..I will suggest doing things in little bits, over a period of weeks......like...stand still for a few seconds..treat stand still for a few seconds LONGER...treat stand still for a few seconds LONGER and have paws OR tail touched briefly...treat stand still for a few seconds LONGER and have paws OR tail picked up...treat and so on, and so on. You may also like to try the watching TV scenario IF she is happy to sit on your lap while watching TV..GRADUALLY start exploring her ears,paws etc and , importantly STOP BEFORE she starts wriggling, or pulls away..so it may only be the lightest touch today.. a bit more tomorrow....then, using a command like "show me feet"..do the same with her standing or sitting next to you....slow, but may be worth trying? I have tried this... and it can work. thanks for the great advice my girl doesnt mind standing for long periods of time as long as she isn't in the bath, or i'm trying to groom her. i guess it is something she just will gradually get used to. i will definitely be trying to imply grooming while we watch tv together and hopefully get to the point where it will work with a command. wow that would be fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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