I brush and comb her thoroughly every day at home because her coat is changing from a puppy to an adult coat, and she mats more easily. She was easy to groom as a puppy, but now she bites and growls at me and the groomer. She is especially aggressive when grooming her legs, as that is where the worst mats have been. The groomer is patient with her, so I know that there is no abuse or mistreatment. Her personality is still loving, playful, and fun in all other areas. I don't know if she'll "grow out" of this once her coat's changed and the frequent matting stops. I just don't want to do anything to make it worse! Thanks.
Answers:
Don't let her get matted and don't let her growl or bite you. If you allow it, then of course she'll be bad at the groomers.
I'd say cut her down if you can't keep her brushed til she's through the coat change, unless you plan to show.
Otherwise make sure you are her leader. Google Nothing In Life is Free for ways to gently put her in her place.
Muzzle her if you need to and use a dematting spray on the coat. Is she chewing her legs? Many Bichons are very prone to skin allergies and some just have to be kept short their whole lives.
My Bichon clients came in every 4-6 weeks. I use a Universal brush on them and a comb to check for matts. DO NOT pull on the matts with a comb (you probably know this already).
Start at the bottom of the legs and line brush each section.
There are ways to minimize any pulling. I don't just wildly brush up and down the leg. I do a section at a time if they are matted. A good dematt spray does help.
Also you can often blow some of the matts out even on a dry coat with a soaking of dematt spray.
When you blow dry her with cool air, check the skin for any redness.
I don't like to use muzzles, I tend to just slow down and try not to hurt the dog. If they are just anticipating or being brats then a muzzle and stay calm. Most of my Bichon clients were very good dogs. But many had bad allergies and I sent them to a Dermatology specialist.
Well summer is coming and maybe the groomer just needs to buzz those mats off instead of trying to comb/brush/pull them out? Sounds like even though the groomer is patient, the procedure HURTS. How much longer until you can get her the standard cut?
i would get the groomer to muzzle her, to prevent any biting. if they won't muzzle (some groomers don't) you'll have to learn to groom her yourself. don't let her have a chance to bite a groomer, they can sue! i didn't really think a groomer could sue for that, but they can!!
Let her know what she is doing is wrong, don't put up with it.
Keep a spray bottle handy. Fill it with plain water and give her a couple of squirts when she misbehaves and say NO! It won't hurt her, but sure annoys the hell out of her.
My father-in-law has to give his Maltese a sedative before he can go to the groomer, just waaayyy to much attitude for the clipper.
muzzle her. I have to do the same when we go to the vet. a muzzled dogs makes the trip a lot less stress full, you don't have to worry about her snipping
bring a muzzel to the groomers. and reward her when she is being good at the groomers. let the groomers feed her a little treat when she walks in so she will see what happens when she behaves.
its most likely that it hurts her when she is being brushed and having the mats taken out.if possible i would get her clipped so that there is no problem.if not than a muzzle wouldn't hurt...
I have a couple of suggestions. First let me say that I am a proffessional pet groomer. I went to schoold to be a proffessional. the one thibng we were taught was she should be brushed before being bathed. if not the mats just get tigheter when wet like wet shoe laces.
use a canditioner and dont laugh but this is what we were told in school, the best conditioner is Downy Fabric softner you put and inch in a gallon container and fill the rest with water.
i wuld not suggest muzzling as the bichon needs the face done and cant't be witha muzzle.
When you do her legs they should be done first. Start at the foot and work your way up. Don't forge they have three layers and it is the coat closest to the skin that falls out and get matted in the upper layers. Therefore brish in layers. if you have to do 1 leg and let her rest when she is behaiving give her praise when she isn't use a firm no.
Hopefully this will solve the problem if not a light sedative perscribed by your vet may be needed but that would be the last thing.
Good luck]]
if all else fails then yes shave her it might be better.
The white dogs are more sensitive and she just may be to sensitive to be brushed.
Some Bichons are like this. Especially the males. When we get near their legs and feet they get pretty upset. They do not bite though, we just keep talking to them and they do fine. We do have one female that is really scared of clippers . So we clip her by hand. Then she does fine.
When your pup starts getting her adult coat it is worse towards the back/ rear area where her guide hairs are coming in. It Will mat faster and easier then the rest of her coat. If your groomer is using a slicker brush, it may be scraping her skin. Try using a different brush. We use soft brushes and pin brushes ( wig brushes) they work the best for Bichons.
If your dog still is having trouble at the groomers. Take her to your vet, they do grooming there as well, they can give her a small sedative to calm her.
she is prolly at the stage where she is testing her limits..
she is being just like a child and she is seeing how far you and the groomer will let her go..
dont let her get away with being a bad pup, when she starts being agressive tell her no sharply and countinue doing your busniess.
let her know when she is being a good girl during the grooming process.
if the matting on the legs in in the inside of her leg try having the groomer cut that part shorter so it wont mat up so bad.
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