Won't let me comb her face

[lillismom]

I have my first Maltese, bought her home a week ago. Sheis 13 weeks and isn't too bad when I brush and comb her except for her face and the top of her head. She keeps trying to bite the comb/brush. I don't want to hold her head because I don't want her to hate being groomed but I do need to get her face done. Any suggestions on how to approach her? Thanks.

[mia's mom]

I have my first Maltese, bought her home a week ago. Sheis 13 weeks and isn't too bad when I brush and comb her except for her face and the top of her head. She keeps trying to bite the comb/brush. I don't want to hold her head because I don't want her to hate being groomed but I do need to get her face done. Any suggestions on how to approach her? Thanks.



LOL....I don't think 1 person here that has gotten a dog as a puppy hasn't had this problem. You can start with giving treats and praise as you groom. Mia now lays her head down when I comb her head...she will bite the comb if I take too long or snag a mat. Cody HATES to be combed anywhere near his head. It has been a battle but I am winning it. I now hold his beard when he squiggles to much.....all I have to say is patience patience patience and praise praise praise.

[bek74]

I suggest treats, but be firm, these babies are very smart. I would hold her head so she learns this is what is expected of her, when your finished offer her treats and praise her, she will then learn to behave

[I Found Nemo]

I don't have really any advice:( Nemo never has given me a problem I comb out the hair near his eyes every couple of days he knows when I am done he is getting a treat..He is so good, I forget sometimes how lucky I am:p :hearter:
ANDREA

[lillismom]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a best way to hold her head? From the back or underneath? Her head is so little I feel like I have her in a head lock. She does great for the rest of the brushing, even lets me brush her feet and belly. I tried with her on my lap last night after she had been playing and was tired but ideally I want her on the grooming table.

On another note, my table has a noose, (I hate that term), but I don't use it. My groomer says that when she puts it on my yorkie she settles down and knows it is time to be still but I don't have the same luck. I'm sure I am using it wrong, does anyone else use this?

[bek74]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a best way to hold her head? From the back or underneath? Her head is so little I feel like I have her in a head lock. She does great for the rest of the brushing, even lets me brush her feet and belly. I tried with her on my lap last night after she had been playing and was tired but ideally I want her on the grooming table.

On another note, my table has a noose, (I hate that term), but I don't use it. My groomer says that when she puts it on my yorkie she settles down and knows it is time to be still but I don't have the same luck. I'm sure I am using it wrong, does anyone else use this?

I use my dinning table and a special mat goes on it. Just hold her head which ever way you feel comfortable. Hold her firm, she my struggle but once she realizes your not giving in she will settle, and make sure you talk to her and tell her how wonderful she is and give lots of treats when your done. She will get the hang of it.
This is important to do now, incase something is ever wrong with her, like her eye and you need her to sit still to look or apply drops etc etc.
You should also start brushing her teeth, to get her used to you opening up her mouth and putting your finger in, that is good for her teeth and incase she has something in her mouth that she shouldn't.
Good luck, all will be fine.

[victoria]

I had the same problem combing face hair too. I started out holding my puppy's head at first because he didn't like it. He got used to it quickly though because I have to wash his face daily so it doesn't stain. My vet told me all puppies just hate everything at first so maybe even if your puppy doesn't like getting groomed she'll get used to it with treats and praise anyway.

[LittleDogLVR]

Just gave Lizzie Rose her first bath tonight, how do you clean around their faces ? I dont think its tear staining but just slightly discolored.

We are using John Paul / Paul Mitchell for puppies, its a tearless gentle shampoo and the oatmeal conditioning rinse but not around the face or eyes.

John

[I Found Nemo]

I use this to comb around the eyes , gently though. Nemo sometimes has "GUNK" and this takes it right out!! 4677
Well actually I use the small one.

[MalteseJane]

Mine is very good at taking a shower. I put shampoo around his face and rub around the eyes with my fingers and then let the water run over him to rinse out. He does not care a bit. But I DO REALIZE not all dogs will accept that.

[starry]

Thanks for the advice. Is there a best way to hold her head? From the back or underneath? Her head is so little I feel like I have her in a head lock. She does great for the rest of the brushing, even lets me brush her feet and belly. I tried with her on my lap last night after she had been playing and was tired but ideally I want her on the grooming table.

On another note, my table has a noose, (I hate that term), but I don't use it. My groomer says that when she puts it on my yorkie she settles down and knows it is time to be still but I don't have the same luck. I'm sure I am using it wrong, does anyone else use this?

My groomer told me to hold the scruf of their chin to work with the face.
I am not effecient or fast but a little bit of combing is better than none and each time I seem to get her to hold still a bit longer.
Please be careful if your not noosing her. Good Luck!

[I Found Nemo]

Just gave Lizzie Rose her first bath tonight, how do you clean around their faces ? I dont think its tear staining but just slightly discolored.

We are using John Paul / Paul Mitchell for puppies, its a tearless gentle shampoo and the oatmeal conditioning rinse but not around the face or eyes.

John

Thats supposed to be a great shampoo, what do you think about it??
ANDREA

[mia's mom]

Just gave Lizzie Rose her first bath tonight, how do you clean around their faces ? I dont think its tear staining but just slightly discolored.

We are using John Paul / Paul Mitchell for puppies, its a tearless gentle shampoo and the oatmeal conditioning rinse but not around the face or eyes.

John

Do you mean you don't shampoo her face? I wash both of them with tearless shampoo on their faces and I go a step futher I have a toothbrush especially for their faces. I brush right under their eyes and between their eyes with tearless shampoo (softly of course). When you rinse just make sure you wipe the water away from their eyes and try not to get that much water in their ears.:)

[LittleDogLVR]

Do you mean you don't shampoo her face? I wash both of them with tearless shampoo on their faces and I go a step futher I have a toothbrush especially for their faces. I brush right under their eyes and between their eyes with tearless shampoo (softly of course). When you rinse just make sure you wipe the water away from their eyes and try not to get that much water in their ears.:)


Yes I was trying not to get it into her eyes ....1st time with her she is sooo small .
Oh and Thank you for the toothbrush tip....:)


Andrea
Just used it for the first time....smells good and Lizzie didnt mind it

John

[jazzysmom]

I hold mine by the beard they wiggled some in the beginning but they know now what it is all about and stay still knowing it will be over soon then they get treats. This may sound weird but if I am sitting on the couch and brushing them when I get to their face I will rest their chin on my chest (it works well for us) & I comb their face and do the topknot.

[starry]

Do you mean you don't shampoo her face? I wash both of them with tearless shampoo on their faces and I go a step futher I have a toothbrush especially for their faces. I brush right under their eyes and between their eyes with tearless shampoo (softly of course). When you rinse just make sure you wipe the water away from their eyes and try not to get that much water in their ears.:)

I feel like Im drowning Holly when I wash her face off, or I don't get all the shampoo off.:(
Am I overreacting or overrinsing?
I just don't want to make the bath scene a bad experience.
Also do you "wash"thier face everyday? Or just wipe it?

[I Found Nemo]

I feel like Im drowning Holly when I wash her face off, or I don't get all the shampoo off.:(
Am I overreacting or overrinsing?
I just don't want to make the bath scene a bad experience.
Also do you "wash"thier face everyday? Or just wipe it?

Hey Lisa,
No I dont wash his face everyday, but I use the little buttercomb to get the gunk out.Nemo doesn't stain so it's really not a problem, but he does get that gunk..
:D

[mia's mom]

I feel like Im drowning Holly when I wash her face off, or I don't get all the shampoo off.:(
Am I overreacting or overrinsing?
I just don't want to make the bath scene a bad experience.
Also do you "wash"thier face everyday? Or just wipe it?

LOL....the way Cody acts you think I was drowning him too. I brush out the gunk then I clean them with a wet one (a baby wipe).

[Morkie4]

Getting them use to grooming is a necessity. I do Kallie's face every day by using a little shampoo (tearfree) and then use a leave-in conditioner by coat handler. She still gets gunk in the corner of her eyes which I simply remove but it is not the red staining gunk anymore. A clean face makes the maltese a joy to gaze at. I do comb the muzzle hair to keep it flat and mat free.