[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

I have been trying to let Brink's hair grow out for winter...well, we didn't make it.

Because he has always been in a puppy cut, with little need for daily brushing, I was not as diligent with the brushing as I should have been.

He was starting to mat in the corners of his legs (his pits) as well as a few other places.
His coat is just way too cottony on his body for a longer coat.

So, he will forever be in a puppy cut. I don't think I will try to grow it out again. We probably had it close to three inches. Now it is about one inch.

In addition to that decision...I don't know that I will be able to groom him at home any more. His behavior during grooming is getting worse and worse every time. He used to lay so still and let me do whatever I needed....but then he started not letting me do his feet, now he won't let me do his belly or butt. -_- I am being as stern as I can, and trying to assert myself as alpha...but it is not working during grooming. Certain things he will let me do like a little angel...but the others, I am afraid I am either going to nick/cut him or he is going to hurt himself trying to pull away from me while I hold onto his leg to trim etc.

His cut tonight looks pretty choppy. It was long and poofy, and I probably should have just taken him on to the groomer, but I decided I would tackle it myself.

Now we are both pooped out and pissed off.

I think I can take care of enough to keep his face and butt area in check between grooming visits...but next month he will start a monthly grooming appt. We really can't afford it with our tight budget right now, but I can't do this stress once a month either.

I just wish I understood WHY he was acting like this.

I am sure sometime along the way I probably unknowingly nicked him or something....but I can't get him to forget whatever it was.
I hate it because in the beginning I really enjoyed grooming him, but now it is so stressful that I don't enjoy it at all. -_-

I only hope that when he is on the grooming table in the loop that he acts better for her than he does for me.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by Nichole@Oct 2 2005, 12:18 AM
Hey Traci!  I am just curious, what exactly is Brinkley doing while you are grooming him?  Is he growling or just squirming?  Toby squirms, but my hubby holds him and we seem to manage.  If it is only a squirming thing, maybe you could enlist one of the kids or your hubby to help.  Do you think the grooming session takes too long and he just gets "antsy?"  I know when we groom Toby, it takes me anywhere from 1-1.5 hours.  Sometimes we do it in sessions and I spread it out over two or three days.

I'm letting Toby's hair grow out a bit too.  We'll see how that works out in a month or so.  I think Brink and Toby must have similar hair.
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No, he doesn't growl....just squirms a whole lot. It is so aggravating. He is fine for his face, head, and body. So-so for his legs...but his feet, belly, and butt....is a pain! I have tried letting hubby hold him, and it is actually worse, not better.
I am hoping that if I take him to be groomed, it will be like when he went to get his nails clipped, and that he acts like an angel for them.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by ButterCloudandNoriko@Oct 2 2005, 02:02 PM
Awww I totally feel ya on this.  I took Cloud to the groomers today to get him one great cut before winter weather comes.  Unfortunately my fav. groomer from my vet quit so the person I got at petsmart was just ok compared to my original.  But he still looks cute.  I think sooner or later I'm going to have to invest in a grooming table where you can tie him to the table.  Definitely putting them up high helps a little.  He really really really hates me touching his face.  If I were faster grooming him, he wouldnt be so agitated but I cant help it. 

But like you, I can't afford to give up over 40 bucks every 4-6 wks for this.  So I hope you can find a way to resolve this.  Maybe take him on a long long long walk and shower him and groom him.  HEHE 

GOOD LUCK!

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Luckily, I think i can get Brink's for 25$ each time...but that is still more than FREE!
I have tried doing his feet and stuff first BEFORE he is agitated, but it doesn't help.
I have tried grooming on the table AND on the floor/lap. I don't even know that the grooming loop would help with the feet and butt thing...who knows. I am just turning it over to the professionals.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by Sassy's mommy+Oct 4 2005, 09:55 AM-->

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@Oct 2 2005, 01:18 AM
Hey Traci!  I am just curious, what exactly is Brinkley doing while you are grooming him?  Is he growling or just squirming?  Toby squirms, but my hubby holds him and we seem to manage.  If it is only a squirming thing, maybe you could enlist one of the kids or your hubby to help.  Do you think the grooming session takes too long and he just gets "antsy?"  I know when we groom Toby, it takes me anywhere from 1-1.5 hours.  Sometimes we do it in sessions and I spread it out over two or three days.

I'm letting Toby's hair grow out a bit too.  We'll see how that works out in a month or so.  I think Brink and Toby must have similar hair.
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I'm not sure if you are speaking of brushing or clipping when you speak of grooming. If it is brushing and you find your baby is squirmy try holding him in your lap. I have always placed Sassy in my lap to brush her, clip her nails, pluck ears, etc. There is not a whole lot of wiggle room there.

But after the initial training period she just lays here and enjoys. I hope this helps.
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This is while clipping...not brushing.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by Nichole@Oct 5 2005, 02:21 AM
Traci, I was just thinking about this and I think Brink and Toby have similar hair.  Anyway, when I clip Toby, I take his hair down really short, 0.5 inch.  I never have to brush him because there is really nothing to brush and he can go 3-4 months before he needs another full groom. 

In between grooms, I do his paw pads, nails and trim up his bum area.  Since I know money is a concern for you, you can probably stretch the groomings to 3-4 months and possibly you can still do the mini-grooms at home.
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The mini-groom section is the part he is not cooperating with.

 

[Brinkley & Neyland's Mom]

Originally posted by Kallie/Catcher's Mom@Oct 5 2005, 08:58 AM
Traci, what worked for me was being really sweet and gentle. I figured this out when my groomer came to the house to groom Catcher when he was a puppy and hadn't had all his shots yet. So I watched her groom him, which is the first time I had ever been that close to a groomer in action.

She talked sweet baby talk to him and he was soooo good.

So, I tried it. I almost whisper to him and I kiss him and try to make it a pleasant experience. I only do touch ups as he and Kallie have a standing appointment once a month because I am not good with scissors, etc. 

I don't think you can start being alpha at the grooming session. If you are already alpha, it'll carry over to grooming. If you aren't, then being stern during grooming won't make you alpha... hope that makes sense!
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I am pretty sure i am the alpha in most other situations....
He is great with the grooming except for feet, bottom and belly....
Hubby wonders if it tickles?