Where's the Treat?
Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 5:45PM 
The dawgs look forward to getting groomed - seriously. They don't run away. They stand in line and say 'my turn'. Why?
Well most of it is conditioning. Another part is the yummy treat at the end. It also must be that nice head massage I give.
I can't imagine if they were giving me a hard time how I would feel about long hair. But even if you like short hair, it makes sense to condition the dogs.
Sometimes, if they are really feisty or they scream to get you to stop, yes they can and will try anything especially if it works, it pays to persist and hold them in place and just do it. I wait till they actually relax before I let them go.
None of my dogs need a noose and they will all lay on their back to allow me to do their tummies. It's simply conditioning in a positive way and one day they actually will look forward to it. Can you imagine that? I am so glad that mine do.
PS: Truffie we are still working on doing 'on his back' but that will come. He's no longer complaining with the daily combing and brushing. Progress!
Reader Comments (2)
*sigh* I can not imagine WHAT I could give Ripley to make him sit still when his front feet are being combed. A whole roasted chicken? A million kisses? And the wiggling is not the worst part. It is that heart broken "You are torturing me" look they give you.Geesh..how do they know how to give you a guilt complex?
They are sooooooooooooooooooooo smart and can manipulate you in a heartbeat due to that. They know what works. It's tough not to let them win but grooming doesn't hurt unless mats are bad and there are ways to gently separate. But just like people, some dawgs don't like you to touch their feet. I do it anyway despite the protests and I never hurt but I have had some drama dawgs where you aren't even touching them and they squeal. Then you gain confidence that they are squealing for NOTHING except to manipulate you. I love them even with their drama. Not all do it but the ones that do, it took me awhile but I smile and say we will get you used to this. It's okay!