How to Groom an Intelligent Dog

Grooming a dog presents its fair share of challenges, but when you have an intelligent dog like Rosy, things can suddenly get very interesting. The thing is, Rosy has always been a dog that learned new commands and tricks quickly and never hesitates to obey. Yet, now that it is time for you to introduce her to being groomed, she starts to act a little off kilter for her normal behavior. In fact, she is darn near recalcitrant. The good news is that true to her nature, Rosy will quickly learn that grooming is going to become an important part of her life and to relax and enjoy it. 

Yours might be the kind of dog that learns new things quickly and responds to your commands quite quickly. But when it comes to being groomed, the whole process can be a bit scary. Mostly, it’s the tools of the trade that scare most dogs, but with time and a little hard work, you can teach your smarty pants pup to enjoy it. 

• Remember, a tired dog is always going to be much easier to work with than a wired one.
  
• Go slowly with the brush. If you encounter any mats, use shears to cut them out. Trying to brush them out won't work, it will only cause her pain.
  
• Be sure the shears you use have a sharp blade.
  
• Be patient and let your dog set the pace – never punish her for fussing, it will only make things worse.
  
• Toys are a good way to keep your dog distracted, as are chew bones.
  
• The younger your pup is when you start working on grooming, the easier it will be for her to get used to it. 
  

For the most part, a dog like Rosy is a real jewel. She responds quickly and easily to new training and will quickly adapt to being groomed. Take all the time your dog needs, be patient, and make the whole experience fun for both of you.