Pretty Duncan!
Duncan has been coming along very nicely lately with letting me brush him! If you remember, he had a scaring experience with being groomed after he was surrendered from the puppy mill. When he was surrendered his coat - especially his collar area was caked with urine, feces and mats. Most rescues are groomed when they are anaesthetized for their teeth cleaning. But for Duncan there just happened to be no time for this. So his initial grooming was done while he was awake. I’m sure the person that did his grooming was as gentle as possible, however with as bad as his coat was the situation could probably be nothing but traumatizing.
As a result, Duncan definitely does not like to be brushed. Even the slightest snag scares him and he snaps at the brush. I had to use a muzzle with him when I first got him to keep myself safe, but this wasn’t helping with making brushing a positive experience that he would actually look forward too. We’ve moved very slowly, brushing a few strokes and giving him a treat. And whenever he seems like he’s had too much and is about to snap at me, we pause for a minute and give him a treat, praising him quietly. The last couple of times that I have brushed him he has been a near angel! You can still see by his body language that he’s a little nervous and still not sure about this brushing thing, but he has started to relax a little and his snaps are becoming much less frequent. He even seems to enjoy being brushed at moments. Yes Duncan! This can actually feel good! He lets me lift his chin and brush his neck and chest fairly well. He let’s me brush behind his head and the front half of his back without much problem at all. He does not like to have the feathering on the back of his front legs brushed at all though and seems to be very sensitive there. He doesn’t snap, but he will pull his legs under him to keep me from brushing them. When I move to his rear and his tail he gets a little nervous and we go very slowly, with lots of treats! This last time though, I was able to get his “skirt” and his tail detangled nicely! I have a detangler spray that helps a great deal, however my spraying it on him makes him nervous, so I have to be very quiet and slow about that too. I’m still not able to lift his tail and brush under it or around his little bottom very much, but we are progressing very well! In addition, I also got a new slicker brush that he does not seem to mind much at all. It doesn’t get any mats or any of his undercoat out, but it definitely makes him look beautiful!
Duncan has also started his obedience classes! We joined and the end of a 6 week session so we’ve been behind, but he’s handled being in the class with lots of other people and their dogs very well and responds beautifully when I am taught how to teach him correctly! Another session will be staring on the 6th of October and we’ll be going to that to start at the beginning. I expect him to do very well, and that the two of us spending the time together will build his confidence, both in himself and in me! I can’t wait!
As a result, Duncan definitely does not like to be brushed. Even the slightest snag scares him and he snaps at the brush. I had to use a muzzle with him when I first got him to keep myself safe, but this wasn’t helping with making brushing a positive experience that he would actually look forward too. We’ve moved very slowly, brushing a few strokes and giving him a treat. And whenever he seems like he’s had too much and is about to snap at me, we pause for a minute and give him a treat, praising him quietly. The last couple of times that I have brushed him he has been a near angel! You can still see by his body language that he’s a little nervous and still not sure about this brushing thing, but he has started to relax a little and his snaps are becoming much less frequent. He even seems to enjoy being brushed at moments. Yes Duncan! This can actually feel good! He lets me lift his chin and brush his neck and chest fairly well. He let’s me brush behind his head and the front half of his back without much problem at all. He does not like to have the feathering on the back of his front legs brushed at all though and seems to be very sensitive there. He doesn’t snap, but he will pull his legs under him to keep me from brushing them. When I move to his rear and his tail he gets a little nervous and we go very slowly, with lots of treats! This last time though, I was able to get his “skirt” and his tail detangled nicely! I have a detangler spray that helps a great deal, however my spraying it on him makes him nervous, so I have to be very quiet and slow about that too. I’m still not able to lift his tail and brush under it or around his little bottom very much, but we are progressing very well! In addition, I also got a new slicker brush that he does not seem to mind much at all. It doesn’t get any mats or any of his undercoat out, but it definitely makes him look beautiful!
Duncan has also started his obedience classes! We joined and the end of a 6 week session so we’ve been behind, but he’s handled being in the class with lots of other people and their dogs very well and responds beautifully when I am taught how to teach him correctly! Another session will be staring on the 6th of October and we’ll be going to that to start at the beginning. I expect him to do very well, and that the two of us spending the time together will build his confidence, both in himself and in me! I can’t wait!
Read 3 Comments or Post a Comment
Email This Post
3 Comments:
I really enjoy your blog. I adopted Thea from LLDog Rescue in April. Your experiences have really helped us! You mentioned an obedience class starting Oct. 6. Where is that class? Keep up the good work! Daneale :)
Daneale,
Congratulations on your recent adoption! Who is your new best friend? Send me a picture and I'll post a happy adoption entry!
The obedience class is through Anne Mackey. It's down at the Westport/Roanoke Community Center. Sometimes they do it out at Loose Park by the rose garden too. Send me an email directly and I'll get you her contact info. (Click on the Sheltie Mailbox in the Nav Bar.)
Congrats again on the new family member!
I think I told you once before about how my Byrdie also hated being brushed when I got her, I had to keep her tied to my leg while I patiently sat on the floor and brushed her. Well, now when I brush her she seems like whe is actually enjoying a lot of it! I have had her for over 2 and a half years, and she has continued to make progress every time, so just be very patient, try to make it enjoyable and stress free, and remember to immediately give a really nice treat right afterwards. I use this tactic also if I have to medicate, like I did recently when Bea had an ear infection- within 4 days she was very willing to let me put her meds in her ear, becase she knew there was a cookie right afterward!
Post a Comment
Home