Brushing and bathing tips for a westie?

I have a 6 month old female westie who I really struggle bathing and brushing. She cries and yelps soo load when I was her (in a sink with warm water), we sometime think she will have a heart attack one day as she gets soo panicey. She also growls and snaps athe brush when I brush her. I’ve tried letting her nibble on a treat like sausage whilt I brushe her but she still goes for the brush and grawls! Any tips on how to over come this?

Answer #1

take her to a groomer. the results will be much better and they are trained to deal with pain in the butt dogs… if its too expensive, buy a muzzle and have another person brush while you hold.

Answer #2

WOW…she REALLY hates grooming…Have you had her to the groomer yet, to be clipped or stripped? Doing the treats while brushing is how I got my dog to decide it’s not going to kill him…that, and when he’d start to try to leave, I’d keep him for only a minute or two longer, then let him go…and give hm a break.

Has she always been this scared, or has it developed over time?

Maybe try grooming her with a human brush…something that is easier on the skin, so she can learn that it doesn’t hurt…also starting in places where they love being scratched, like under the chin, around the neck…on the chest…to start desensitize her.

p

More Like This
Advisor

Pets and Animals

Pet Care, Animal Behavior, Veterinary Medicine

Ask an advisor one-on-one!
Advisor

Dogs Forum

Pet Care, Dog Training, Dog Breeding

Advisor

Puppies Breed

Pet Supplies, Animal Care, Pet Training

Advisor

ReptileStreet

Pets, Animal Care, Online Retail

Advisor

Barking Dog Blog

Dog behavior, Training tips, Pet care

Advisor

Your Pet Planet

Pet Care, Pet Health, Pet Tips