The brush is the devil

[Kittilicious]

Has anyone ever had a dog that HATED to be brushed? I never have, so this is so strange to me. Knuckles hates it - with a passion. He will squirm, kick, cry like I'm killing him and try everything to wiggle away. I've tried different types of brushes/combs and it doesn't matter what I use. I even grabbed a human hairbrush that doesn't even go through his fur and that wouldn't work. I've tried using the back of the brush, no go.
I'm trying at least once a day to brush him... even fake brushing (back of brush)... just to get him to calm down and he's not easing up one bit. I've tried treats while doing it, having someone else hold him/pet him while I do it. I even tried others doing the brushing! I have long fingernails... he doesn't even like me running them down his back (even softly).
I don't think it's a skin issue - his skin seems fine from what I can tell and he's not doing any excessive scratching/biting at his skin (my Golden has skin issues so I know what to look for).
Anyone have this problem? Any suggestions that I haven't tried yet?

[BlackGSD]

Just keep brushing him. He needs to learn to accept it. He doesn't have to LIKE it, but he must ACCEPT IT. Sounds to me like he just has no patience.(sp) As I'm sure you know, do NOT stop when he is throwing a fit!!!!!!!! And don't coddle/baby him, meaning no telling him "it's ok", blah, blah, blah......

[Kittilicious]

Originally Posted by BlackGSD

Just keep brushing him. He needs to learn to accept it. He doesn't have to LIKE it, but he must ACCEPT IT. Sounds to me like he just has no patience.(sp) As I'm sure you know, do NOT stop when he is throwing a fit!!!!!!!! And don't coddle/baby him, meaning no telling him "it's ok", blah, blah, blah......

Thats why I keep persisting. Problem is, I have to stop when he's throwing a fit because he won't stop throwing a fit. Last night was over 10 minutes of fighting with him over it. I know I shouldn't, but what else can I do? Teh treat thing I've tried those 2-3 seconds when he's not fighting to reward him, didn't seem to matter.

[catz]

Could you get something yummy and spreadable like peanut butter or a cream cheese and smear it on his paws. Then you can brush while he works on licking it off...
Thats the trick we use for cutting a ferrets nails. Ferretone on the tummy then cut while they are destracted.

[Kittilicious]

Thats a great suggestion! Thanks! I'm going to try that today

[Caledon]

How are you brushing him.

I had a grooming bench set up outside. I would leash her, take her to the bench, get her to get up and brush her. She would not throw a fit, but she was a squirmy thing and tried to bite at the brush as if it were a toy.

Just persisted. A minute sessions several times a day, when I had time and thought about it.

I found that when she was a puppy and I leaned over her to brush her she did squirm more. If I got down of the floor with her, it became play time and a game.

Now I take out the grooming kit (brushes and toothbrushe) and she immediately jumps up on the hot tub (my new grooming spot as it is easy on my back).

Have you tried the groom zoom? It is a small rubber brush with soft spikes on it that you hold in your hand. The dog can't ever see it. Try that and them move to a pin brush.

[BowWowMeow]

I would not force the issue. Forcing the issue is going to make the aversion stronger. It's possible his hair got pulled early on and now he associates any brush with that pain. He might just be a super sensitive dog.

You want him to associate grooming with great things so you will have to work gradually to create that association for him.

Here are some step by step guides:

How to help your dog deal with being handled.

http://lakemontvetclinic.com/clients...or_Groomed.pdf

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted by Kittilicious

Thats why I keep persisting. Problem is, I have to stop when he's throwing a fit because he won't stop throwing a fit. Last night was over 10 minutes of fighting with him over it. I know I shouldn't, but what else can I do? Teh treat thing I've tried those 2-3 seconds when he's not fighting to reward him, didn't seem to matter.

THAT if why he is still throwing a fit. Because YOU will eventually stop and he knows that. You need to have the time to "out last" him, even if it takes an hour. I would make sure he is good and tired when you start with the brushing. If he is quite and still for 1 or 2 strokes of the brush, stop, praise him and let him go. Gradually increase the number of strokes he has to tolerate before you stop.

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted by BowWowMeow

I would not force the issue. Forcing the issue is going to make the aversion stronger. It's possible his hair got pulled early on and now he associates any brush with that pain. He might just be a super sensitive dog.

You could be right, or he could just be a squirmy brat with no patience for holding still long enough to be brushed. Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing which one it is via the internet.

He's only what, about 10 weeks or less and the OP has had him since he was 5 weeks old? I wouldn't think he had too many bad experiences in that first 5weeks.

[Amooto]

I think I agree with Black here, unless you happen to know of such a bad experience with brushing from his past. Sounds like he's just being a pain, not wanting to be messed with, and seeing how much he can get away with. You don't want to encourage any bad habits here.