A Farewell to Grooming Stress!

[docmartin]

For the entire 3 months we've lived together 'Crystal' has been a real pain to groom. She bites the Combs and Brushes and I have to dart in like a demonic Sweeney Todd to control her tangles. When my wife isn't around, as I'm essentially one armed, it's either an hour of a job, or frustrated abandonment. I've tried distraction aids like chews etc, all to no avail. Even waiting till she's tired (huh) supports little respite as she returns to obstructive default mode within a few seconds!

Mrs Doc has been away and by a process of logic and a bit of luck I've found liberation from this daily 'bun-fight'. We have a large enamel 'Butler type sink'. The errant 'groomee' is placed into this receptacle (upon a towel), which seems to have an amazing calming effect.

Both days she has let me do all the difficult bits, legs and in particular under the throat and her fast returning 'mane' without any resistance, almost like a form of 'Brainwashing'. The whole job is done in ten minutes, topped off with the daily 'eye pad' routine, another favorite 'Dad Torture' speciality. Harringtons 'Dog Treats' are visibly apparent to the 'prisoner' throughout.

I'm very watchful not to let her hop out of the sink, but as it's both deep and perfectly proportioned for the job at hand and the towel hampers 'lift off', she can't get enough time together for 'The Great Escape' - no Steve McQueen jumps here - oh no!

Her mush, as she views all the Combs, Brushes, Mustachio implements is straight from 'Loony Tunes' and I have to admit enjoyment, as this time Wile E Coyote has definitely got the 'Road Runner' heh, heh!

My wife's daughters two Yorkies, love being brushed and combed, turning over on their backs to facilitate the process, no reactions, no biting, just coalescence. I had to get a rebel of course...

[jeane]

how creative// cute pic

[docmartin]

Thanks,

She likes the camera, real little show off sometimes!

[Teddysmom76]

She is such a pretty baby, and you are a sweet dad! My Lola is not a big fan of being groomed either. It makes it very difficult to get to certain parts for sure. I have a feeling that she will eventually end up with a short puppy cut.

[Marhcarter]

Doc, I love the way you tell a tale and Crystal is adorable. Good job! ( I had to buy a grooming table and hang mine with a noose around his neck whenever I groom him...)

[Teddysmom76]

Oops, I'm sorry I accidentally made a double post!

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by Teddysmom76

She is such a pretty baby, and you are a sweet dad! My Lola is not a big fan of being groomed either. It makes it very difficult to get to certain parts for sure. I have a feeling that she will eventually end up with a short puppy cut.

When Crystal arrived at 5 months old she was dishevelled tangled and matted with wood shavings. The people who'd recovered her from an elderly lady, said she was too hyper for hr to cope! It was a warm June, so we had her 'puppy cut' on June the 21st, ten days later as it seemed, wuith her feentic resistance to the comb - the best way out. We went into shock at first - but she's going to be done the 2nd time on Monday and I'm going to keep her body short and legs long. Not sure about the muzzle and Mane. I love her first pic and her chest is at the awkward in between stage now, when it looks like a pelmet fringe - poor girl.

I think 'Jilli' - the poker playing Yorkie of Rick Caran has an attractive and probably very maneagble cut.

[Rhetts_mama]

I now have visions of a demonic Sweeney Todd running through my head.

I'm glad you found something that is working well for you.

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by Marhcarter

Doc, I love the way you tell a tale and Crystal is adorable. Good job! ( I had to buy a grooming table and hang mine with a noose around his neck whenever I groom him...)

Yes I know that feeling. we have a heavy iron coat and brolly stand and I told her she was going to get strung up on it. Even played the theme tune from 'Hang em High' - but she just ignored me and serenely carried on chewing my sock! The 'Sink' campaign seems to be holding, but she's such a little Maverick I approach each day with trepidation and 'sinking' hopes!

[impish]

Loved this post!!! And the photo of your indulgent dog

[docmartin]

Originally Posted by impish

Loved this post!!! And the photo of your indulgent dog

Thanks, she's certainly got me worked out - thats for sure. They repay in such an honest and affectionate way that it makes even the naughty bits fun. We've just had a walk together and she was determined to plonk herself down on my shirt, which I changed out of on our return. She's now curled up, having made a nest out of it; and there's me tiptoeing around so as not to wake her up!

[Harrysmum]

Hee hee!!

It's nothing to do with the Harringtons Dog Treats.....it's because Crystal can see the tea canister!!!!! We all know she'd do anything for a cup of tea and a bit of her daddy's biscuit..... Sally + Harry x

[Rhetts_mama]

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

Hee hee!!

It's nothing to do with the Harringtons Dog Treats.....it's because Crystal can see the tea canister!!!!! We all know she'd do anything for a cup of tea and a bit of her daddy's biscuit..... Sally + Harry x

You are right! How did we all miss that?

[Kataliadre]

I loved reading this story! The demonic Sweeney Todd made me LOL. Your baby is precious! So glad you found a way to groom her. I'll have to try the towel trick on Rory. My Dallas is easy to bathe. He just puts his head down like "Fine, mommy, but get it over with quick." (He runs straight to the treats when he gets out of the bath, though, because he knows what's coming!) Rory, however, isn't used to the process and will try to chew on my fingers while I bathe her. Then when she gets out she acts traumatized for about an hour. We wrap her in a towel and put her on a heating pad (she shakes like a leaf) and then after some time she forgives and forgets but it'd be wonderful to make the process more pleasant for her.

Anna

[celstu1]

Your stories crack me up! That is such a CUTE pic!!

I have 2 boys.. one WILL NOT let me brush him for nothing. He's 7lbs at most and he turns into an 80lb beast with 8 legs! Its crazy. I tried to groom him for awhile myself but I would end up crying and he would just want me to cuddle him, it was torture for both of us and we both ended up needing a prozac afterwards! LOL (kidding of course). My other boy who is 14lbs, knows brushing = treat. He will sit on my lap calmly and be brushed from top to bottom, sides, legs, etc. However, he has a fine silky coat that never has a mat, ever! The little one has a cotton coat that mats when you look at it! I'm sure grooming him hurts the little guy a little bit, but Im so gentle that I think he's just dramatic! LOL

Anyways, good job Daddy!!