Testing Times

[Gunner]

Hello All 

Gunner has in the last few days started snapping and really growling when we touch his back legs and groom him  he's never been great at grooming just a bit fidgety but he's never growled before, he was castrated 29th April and had his stitches out yesterday so he has had a bit of a traumatic time of late he's just over 6 mths so maybe he's starting to test us to see how far he can go......

I'm just wondering what I do when he growls and snaps while I'm grooming him and wether there is something I can do to get him used to having his back legs touched without him turning round to chew your hand off especially as we have 2 young children...

Thanks
Charlotte & Gunner  xx

[Cob-Web]

I'm not sure I'd link this to adolecence and testing you, tbh - he was only operated on a few weeks ago so I expect he is still a bit sore and bruised back there  Stitch removal hurts too, so after yesterday, he was probably just telling you he was fed up with being fiddled with back there, thankyou-very-much 

I always expect mine to be a bit scissor-shy after a trip to the vets for any procedure; they seem to form very strong associations between stainless steel and pain and it takes a while to undo that experience 

Stick with little and often and make grooming fun 

[Gunner]

I don't trim him myself (not brave enough) I ment just brushing him the groomer is coming on Wednesday I shall tell her that he's not been happy about being brushed lately I think we are going to get him clipped as he has a bad reaction to Ticks and the bite mark gets infected (although he's now on Advantix) but we'll be able to see them better if they are on him....I am a worrier 

Another thing when he has toy's/food and you try to take them off him to play he growles how do I get him used to giving thing up to play fetch?? with the food side of it I shut him in the utility for his dinners and if he gets a treat (pigs ear etc) I tend to put him in his crate or give it to him when the kids arn't around or should I get him used to us taking and touching his food bowl when he's eating (does that make sence)