i took him to get groomed as a baby and he seemed fine, after that we tried taking him again and they called to tell us that 3 people were trying to hold him but all they could do was shave his body and not his facial hair. he looked like a little bobble head.
now we cut it sometimes, and are usually bitten in the process. his hair looks really bad, he doesn't even let us brush his it that much, let alone clean his eyes (he's a maltese).
obviously he is traumatized at getting his hair cut or anyone getting near his face, but what can i do? i try to let him smell the scissors or talk in a soothing voice when we're cutting his hair with no luck. he's getting neutered soon and i'm going to get him fully groomed when he's under, but after that? i'm sure the neutering will calm him down, but it won't take away his fear of haircuts.
oh and he also yelps when we cut his hair as if we're hurting him even though we're cutting hair only and we make sure it isn't pulling his skin...
Answers:
It sounds like your dog needs training and you need to learn how to react to your dog. Some things to try. When grooming him. he calm assertive. I do not mean hit the dog I mean you are in charge and you are going to do what you want to do. You are the "pack leader" If the dog tries to get snarky about it you give him a firm "never mind!' and continue on doing what you want.
Dont coddle him. Dont talk baby talk to him. When you try to sooth the dog or talk baby talk to the dog, the dog only hears you "whining" using a high pitch voice sounds like whining to them. They then get the idea that 1) it is ok to whine and cry and 2) you are afraid of the grooming too so its right for them to be afraid of it.
The dog to this point has learned that every time it gets snarky and snaps or bites at you, it does not need to get its nails/grooming done. You basically have taught your dog to act in this manor.
Once you are able to take control of the dog again you will become the 'pack leader' the dog will learn to respect you and will do the things that you wish it to do. There are 2 'levels' with dogs there are Leader and there are Followers. If you are not the leader then the dog will take that position. Even a dog that perfers to be a follower will step into the leader roll if they feel someone else does not have the roll.
I suggest you find a good dog trainer that can help you get your dog back on the right track. You need to re-teach them that grooming is ok and that you are in charge.
i had a siberian husky that was very wild while getting groomed. i had to give my dog a little tranquilizer before he went. this was given to me by my dog's vet and did not knock him out he was just very calm. i would consult with your vet goodluck
How about doing it in little steps, first just cutting a little bit calmly then praising him and putting away the scissors so it's gradually done. Hopefully he'll get used to it that way. If not, not the nicest thing but a muzzle?
My sisters Yorkshire terrier X used to freak out at having his hair cut especially around his face but after calmly getting him used to it bit by bit he's finally letting her do it! He used to be scatty and bitey at the groomers too. He only wiggles a bit now when she cuts his hair.
First of all, you should probably talk to the vet about this. As Cesar Milan says, it's not the dog being traumatized, it's how the humans react to the situation. There could actually be something wrong, otherwise talk to some different groomers. Each groomer does things just a little differently. My dog won't let me or the vet near him with a q-tip, stick (for smearing on meds), or gloves. However, a cottonball with cleaner for his ears doesn't bother him. So different reactions to different objects. Maybe you can try kids safety scissors that are rounded and gently cut. You can try a towel that is bigger or smaller depending on the reaction, to wash his face. Don't be above bribery. When my little dog is getting his shots at the vet and ears looked at, i hold the treat as he's trying to eat it, while the vet looks in his ears or gives him his shots.
Your dog was obviously hurt %26 traumatized when last groomed, do NOT use the same groomer or company- for a dog that size 3 people holding him is going to stress him out %26 make things worse and They Should Have Known That.
To nicely reintroduce your dog to grooming start with finger brushing him - use your fingers as you would a brush (don't just pet) get him used to the sensation that doesn't hurt.
Then a soft bristled brush (if not available at supply store use a people brush), have your dog in a location comfortable for him (my Dal/Lab cross was only comfortable if I cut his nails on the back deck, anywhere else made his nervous - don't know why) have a treat in your pocket, make him aware it's there but don't tease, start slowly %26 softly on his back (usually less sensitive) only do it for a short period of time 1 or 2 strokes to start with.
If he starts to notice or get anxious take the treat out %26 hold it in front of his nose when you brush once or twice then give it to him. He will slowly learn it is okay. Talk to him while you are doing this tell him he's good/brave etc. I have found telling them "That wasn't so bad, was it?" (nice tone of voice) after your done helps =)
Make sure the area you start with dosen't have any mats.
Try this while sitting on the floor, putting him up on a table/counter may remind him of the groomers - dogs have long memories.
Don't make him sit or lie down unless he is comfortable this is to be enjoyable not doggy punishment =}.
Yelping is probably because he was cut the last time or they came very close to it, maybe pulled too hard. Dogs sometimes react to the possiblity something is going to hurt even if it doesn't and this is also their way of telling you it's too close.
Leave the scissors until he is comfortable with the brush you don't want to overwhelm him with too much.
Eye cleaning start with a wadded up slightly damp tissue gently hold his chin, make quick light strokes with the tissue, if you don't get it all at once you can try again a few hours later. If you stay too long with grooming a fearful dog it just makes them more nervous. You need to learn how to read the body language your dog is displaying, then you know when he's had enough.
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