Giles wont allow us to brush him

[Ross/Ali]

Ever since we got Giles, he has never allowed us to brush him or come anywhere near him with a brush.

Whats the best approach for him to like getting groomed or at least standing still without biting or running around for half an hour growling and barking? He's only 6 months, but i dont want to use the 'he'll grow out of it' excuse

any tips??

i know its going to be a long drawn process, but we cant afford to have a CKC spaniel that never gets brushed
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[Claire/Mark]

Mylo used to be like this, we started putting a muzzle on him while he was being groomed and also used to put his front paws up on a seat and stand behind him and brush him.... Mylo is great now and we can groom him all the time, but he was exactly as Giles is being....

[Lisa/Colin]

What about one of those glove brush thingies? Sorry not any more use as have very short haired dogs which dont get matted or tangled!!!

[kendal]

when dos he start to run, is it when he sees the brush.
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[Jack]

Ross, I feel for you I have 2 Persians who don't like it either and I always end up battlescarred but persistence pays and they DO tolerate it easier when I do it, though they are sadly neglected and very tatty at the moment as my back has been bad and I've not kept on top of it. Hopefully by the weekend they will each be sporting a skinhead as they desperately need my attention....and scissors!!!

Go with Claire/Mark's suggestion - muzzle if you need to, be gentle, talk to him throughout, reassure him but persist until you have completed his coat. What I would suggest is start off with a light brushing, getting rid of the loose and excess hair - brush him all over and repeat the next night and the next night and the next building up until you can start to work on the inevitable tangles he will have. Be as gentle as you can because you are going to have to overcome his fear of this and if you hurt him it will set you back a long way. Before long you should notice that he tolerates it much better and you can do away with the muzzle (if you needed one to start with). Also try and keep the brush handy and when he is relaxed curled up with you at night gently brush him as if you were just stroking him - this will get him used to the idea that he WILL be brushed by you when YOU want and he'll become less in fear of the brushing and start to associate it with normal affection which is something I KNOW he loves and the desired outcome here - Good luck - let us know how you get on
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[Anna]

We get Tilly when she is completely relaxed and chewing on something, sadly we do approach her with the brush hidden in a back pocket, or should I say brushes. She has two one to chew and one to groom, when she goes for the one we are brushing her with we take the chewy one and brush with that one, a weird cycle but it gets it done
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[Jack]

Whatever works!!!!
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[Craig/Tracy]

i was watching the dog whisperer tonight and the same happened to a japanese akita,cesar made sure that the dog had alot of excersise first and put him in calm submissive state first then groomed him and it really did work,i know it sounds easier said that done but i have tried his techniques with the hoover and honestly it does work

[Ross/Ali]

haha
is the calm submissive state when he pins the dog down on his side until it stops growling/ wriggling/ squirming/ barking/ biting?
If so, i've tried that and Giles the contortionist always wins and I get a sore finger!!!

Maybe I should read the disclaimer saying dont try this at home
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[kendal]

dose he sit on your lap for a cuddle. if so start off like that, get him all nice and comfy stroking him them try and introduce the brush.
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[Ross/Ali]

we'll try that Kendal - thanks.
I think he just needs to see the brush more often although i do like the decoy solution that Anna suggested!

Thanks everyone else for tips - will try them out and let you know!
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[kendal]

an other tip is if you find him sleeping start petting him then brushing. we did that for clipping the girls nails as when they are asleep you can do just about anything to them. not the dont bother about there nails.
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[Suzanne H]

Otto is happy to be groomed/wiped, etc, but hates getting hosed down after a muddy run or his teeth cleaned.

But we've made it part of his routine ie happens at same sort of time, and to be honest he doesn't get a choice in the matter, he's held in place until it's done but is praised throughout, then he gets a big clap and a chew stick as a reward.

He's telling you he doesn't want to be brushed and getting away with it, but he's at an age/size where you can tell him otherwise...as has been said, wait till he's dozy anyway and perhaps give him a kong with peanut butter in so he associates it with something nice.

They're just like little kids who don't want to eat cabbage or go to bed when they're told

[Craig/Tracy]

no calm submissive state is walking towards him,standing tall,quick click of fingers and doing this maybe 10-20 times until he is very calm,i couldn't even master the pin down with a german shepherd

[Suzanne H]

following this conversation, Otto had his regular bath (he was humming), teeth cleaned and ears cleaned.

He bore it all with his usual resigned reluctance. Tho I really must remember to brush him BEFORE he goes in the bath.

He has this expression of God if I must - but you can tell it's not that bad as the tail is up. I call it his at it face!! Also used when having to go in the crate or do training in public.