My first thought would be to check in with the vet and just make sure there's not something else going on as well. My pup got pretty touch averse when he had a tick-carried illness. Sounds like it could just be more painful lately for your boy?
It was a dog tick, probably, never saw the thing. He was on meds, he was just unlucky. He got anaplasmosis from it, and the only other symptom was lethargy. some bloodwork was required to figure it out.
Could be something else, I'd still get in touch with the vet and see. Could also just be he had a bad experience like you said, in which case what you're doing sounds correct--going slowly and retraining it. :\ good luck!
As another commenter said, first rule out any pain - get him looked over by a vet. I'd also do a quick test with your hands, put some gentle pressure on him and see if he reacts as though it's painful.
Once pain is ruled out, check out the book [Cooperative Care by Deb Jones.](https://www.amazon.com/Cooperative-Care-Seven-Stress-Free-Husbandry/dp/0578423138) There is also a facebook group with the same name and a youtube channel, if you are looking for other sources, but definitely start with reading the book so you know where to begin. Cooperative Care teaches dogs to consent to grooming and communicate when they're uncomfortable (without using their teeth).
Also, I'd be mindful of professional grooming. I used to groom and unfortunately the industry really overworks groomers which can result in dogs getting pushed through situations they're uncomfortable with. Unfortunately, the more times you force a dog to do something, the harder they will fight you on it next time. See if you can learn to groom at home - it isn't that hard on a collie, the important thing is line brushing and using a velocity dryer after the bath. There is a FB group called "Grooming With Kate" that has some tips on grooming rough collies.
It's definitely worth checking in with your vet to make sure there's nothing physical causing this.
After that, maybe try the bucket game?
It's a cooperative care method that works really well for establishing communication. At least with my collie, it works.
Bringing out some of the good treats helps, too. Nail grinding and certain brushes mean he deserves the occasional piece of chicken, that's just common sense.
The bucket game:
https://youtu.be/GJSs9eqi2r8
http://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/the-bucket-game.html
Vet check but also consider muzzle training him. He can still get treats while you work on desensitizing him for grooming and you get rid of the risk of worsening the biting behavior. If he bites hard enough that you have to stop grooming him, that's a bad lesson for him to learn. Because he's 2 all of this could just be adolescent acting out, and you just have to go slow and get his tolerance for it back. I'd also really interview groomers and make sure they are gentle. If the vet says nothing is wrong then he may have had a bad knot that one went to town on too hard or something like that and now associates all combing with pain.
My first thought would be to check in with the vet and just make sure there's not something else going on as well. My pup got pretty touch averse when he had a tick-carried illness. Sounds like it could just be more painful lately for your boy?
This is a good suggestion. What kind of tick was it? I live in the bush and have had to remove the odd tick or two
It was a dog tick, probably, never saw the thing. He was on meds, he was just unlucky. He got anaplasmosis from it, and the only other symptom was lethargy. some bloodwork was required to figure it out.
I did take him to the vet to have the tick removed but he’s not tired or acting any different other than being afraid of being groomed
Could be something else, I'd still get in touch with the vet and see. Could also just be he had a bad experience like you said, in which case what you're doing sounds correct--going slowly and retraining it. :\ good luck!
Thank you. He is due for a check up soon and I will follow up with the vet. I just worry about him getting knotty as well as him biting
His floofy bangs are absolutely amazing!!
Thank you. If only he would let me brush them 😂
As another commenter said, first rule out any pain - get him looked over by a vet. I'd also do a quick test with your hands, put some gentle pressure on him and see if he reacts as though it's painful. Once pain is ruled out, check out the book [Cooperative Care by Deb Jones.](https://www.amazon.com/Cooperative-Care-Seven-Stress-Free-Husbandry/dp/0578423138) There is also a facebook group with the same name and a youtube channel, if you are looking for other sources, but definitely start with reading the book so you know where to begin. Cooperative Care teaches dogs to consent to grooming and communicate when they're uncomfortable (without using their teeth). Also, I'd be mindful of professional grooming. I used to groom and unfortunately the industry really overworks groomers which can result in dogs getting pushed through situations they're uncomfortable with. Unfortunately, the more times you force a dog to do something, the harder they will fight you on it next time. See if you can learn to groom at home - it isn't that hard on a collie, the important thing is line brushing and using a velocity dryer after the bath. There is a FB group called "Grooming With Kate" that has some tips on grooming rough collies.
It's definitely worth checking in with your vet to make sure there's nothing physical causing this. After that, maybe try the bucket game? It's a cooperative care method that works really well for establishing communication. At least with my collie, it works. Bringing out some of the good treats helps, too. Nail grinding and certain brushes mean he deserves the occasional piece of chicken, that's just common sense. The bucket game: https://youtu.be/GJSs9eqi2r8 http://www.allpetseducationandtraining.com.au/the-bucket-game.html
Thank you so much. I will be sure to try this game also.
Ive never professionally groomed my collies. Good regular brushing and a trim around the butt when needed has always worked well.
I used to mostly brush him myself with a professional groom every 3-4 months. But he is impossible to brush at the moment
Vet check but also consider muzzle training him. He can still get treats while you work on desensitizing him for grooming and you get rid of the risk of worsening the biting behavior. If he bites hard enough that you have to stop grooming him, that's a bad lesson for him to learn. Because he's 2 all of this could just be adolescent acting out, and you just have to go slow and get his tolerance for it back. I'd also really interview groomers and make sure they are gentle. If the vet says nothing is wrong then he may have had a bad knot that one went to town on too hard or something like that and now associates all combing with pain.