Shedding like crazy...........

Yes, that's how my rake looks. This looks very similar just in a comb form. Mine didn't pull on the fur as I run it across gently. Just make sure you don't comb/brush through matts with it and it's shouldn't pull.
 
karol said:
Yes, that's how my rake looks. This looks very similar just in a comb form. Mine didn't pull on the fur as I run it across gently. Just make sure you don't comb/brush through matts with it and it's shouldn't pull.
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Thanks.

Toby yelps even when I'm not trying to brush through matts. Doesn't matter how gentle I try to be with him. He's just a baby. :lol:
 
Hey Ontario Sheltie, I've been reading through your shedding threads on SN, I do hope grooming has gotten a little bit better on Toby! I know when I first got Precious, she was wicked scared of brushes and also cried during grooming. She would not just whimper but yelp (I was so taken back when she even tried to snarl and bite the brush aggressively out of total fear) when I tried stroking the brushes through her fur. I realized this happened more if I was closer to her neck, and trying to work out her fur behind her ears where its prone to get matted when they're older and have more fur. Best advise... I'd say try to take it slow and go back to the basics. Because from the sounds of it, it seems Toby too has associated the brushing with either fear, pain or dislike. If he seems uncomfortable even when you aren't brushing, in the slightest of anticipation, perhaps redirect your attention to rebuilding positive reinforcement with the grooming. Only do a few strokes, treat, walk away like nothing happened. come back, position him, stroke a few times and then break it off very happily, very excitedly with lots of praise. If he lets you atleast get his back area, try to focus on there for a few weeks and slowly work your way to extending to other areas. Dogs tend to be sensitive for groomign around the ears, legs, and bum (small areas) so try working on the back in a slow way. Took Precious a while, and she still isnt totally better and will let out a yelp once in a while if I get too close or stroke too fast (I'm not a bad groomer but... she just is VERY sensitive and have to take it a lot slower than regular speed). With that being said, I don't think its the brush that will make a difference on your dogs sensitivity to grooming, though I have heard the furminator (while it does an amazing job accordign to many) is a lot more harsher than slicker brushes. You may want to start there as they are softer and more spaced out. Though it takes out less hair and is not so much meant for the undercoat, this may help your dog slowly build more confidence with the brushing. Then work your way to using the rake. The rake is still something I havent used on my puppy (and dont want to incase I brush too hard, and also incase I damage her fur) but mmm take it slow :):) Toby will come around sooner or later :) Hope this message helps in some ways!
 
Thanks for the post PreciousSheltie. Toby in general is an anxious, sensitive guy and brushing is no exception. I don't think he's had any bad experiences.

He loves to be touched in general and is fine with grooming, so long as there is absolutely no pulling involved, which is impossible. I always try to be as gentle as possible and make grooming positive, but with Toby he tries to make it his way or no way.

I took my time brushing him last night (should have taken 10 minutes, instead took 30 minutes) and didn't give in when he tried to dictate when I was done brushing him. I managed to get out some of his undercoat using mainly a pin brush and slicker.

I'm going to have to invest in a few other deshedding tools to see what he tolerates best, since he hates the slicker. He loves the pin brush so we ended on a happy note with him just about drooling on the floor.
 
OntarioSheltie said:
He loves the pin brush so we ended on a happy note with him just about drooling on the floor.
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Hahahah sounds like it was better than nothing! Precious never had a bad experience with brushing either, just really hates the feel of them prickling her back I suppose. I try to groom my dogs standing but she always clamps up and like sticks to the floor frozen. Funny, I try to atleast get her to sit but after a minute I see her sloooowwwllllly desceennnddddinnng tooo the flooooor then boom, shes stomach down, frozen again hahaha Atleast she tolerates it until I give her the okay that we're done and then she's wagging her tail all happy afterwards. Still a working progress.

I didn't realize how easy I had it with my last sheltie. Not a barker. Not a puller. Not a growler. Not a shy-er???? hahahaha but with Precious, she's always scared of everything, crazy barker, crazy lunger, always doesnt like anyhinnng (BUT she loves dogs and people so its okay I guess hahaha). And again, not because of bad expereinces, she just never did right off the bat. Scared of garbage cans, ladders, boxes, bags, chairs, suitcases, umbrellas shes terrifed of, etc. So though she wasn't rescued and still a puppy, I definitely know what you mean and the same kinds of problems you're having with Toby. <3<3 Best of luck :)
 
PreciousSheltie said:
I try to groom my dogs standing but she always clamps up and like sticks to the floor frozen. Funny, I try to atleast get her to sit but after a minute I see her sloooowwwllllly desceennnddddinnng tooo the flooooor then boom, shes stomach down, frozen again hahaha Atleast she tolerates it until I give her the okay that we're done and then she's wagging her tail all happy afterwards. Still a working progress.
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I let my dogs lie down on the floor/couch- I brush one side, flip them over and then do the other side. When I'm being thorough, it can take a while so we might as well all be comfortable :wink2:
 
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