i took him to get groomed as a baby and he seemed fine, after that we tried taking him again and they called to tell us that 3 people were trying to hold him but all they could do was shave his body and not his facial hair. he looked like a little bobble head.now we cut it sometimes, and are usually bitten in the process. his hair looks really bad, he doesn't even let us brush his it that much, let alone clean his eyes (he's a maltese).obviously he is traumatized at getting his hair cut or anyone getting near his face, but what can i do? i try to let him smell the scissors or talk in a soothing voice when we're cutting his hair with no luck. he's getting neutered soon and i'm going to get him fully groomed when he's under, but after that? i'm sure the neutering will calm him down, but it won't take away his fear of haircuts. oh and he also yelps when we cut his hair as if we're hurting him even though we're cutting hair only and we make sure it isn't pulling his skin...

First of all, you should probably talk to the vet about this. As Cesar Milan says, it's not the dog being traumatized, it's how the humans react to the situation. There could actually be something wrong, otherwise talk to some different groomers. Each groomer does things just a little differently. My dog won't let me or the vet near him with a q-tip, stick (for smearing on meds), or gloves. However, a cottonball with cleaner for his ears doesn't bother him. So different reactions to different objects. Maybe you can try kids safety scissors that are rounded and gently cut. You can try a towel that is bigger or smaller depending on the reaction, to wash his face. Don't be above bribery. When my little dog is getting his shots at the vet and ears looked at, i hold the treat as he's trying to eat it, while the vet looks in his ears or gives him his shots.

Your dog was obviously hurt & traumatized when last groomed, do NOT use the same groomer or company- for a dog that size 3 people holding him is going to stress him out & make things worse and They Should Have Known That.To nicely reintroduce your dog to grooming start with finger brushing him - use your fingers as you would a brush (don't just pet) get him used to the sensation that doesn't hurt.Then a soft bristled brush (if not available at supply store use a people brush), have your dog in a location comfortable for him (my Dal/Lab cross was only comfortable if I cut his nails on the back deck, anywhere else made his nervous - don't know why) have a treat in your pocket, make him aware it's there but don't tease, start slowly & softly on his back (usually less sensitive) only do it for a short period of time 1 or 2 strokes to start with. If he starts to notice or get anxious take the treat out & hold it in front of his nose when you brush once or twice then give it to him. He will slowly learn it is okay. Talk to him while you are doing this tell him he's good/brave etc. I have found telling them "That wasn't so bad, was it?" (nice tone of voice) after your done helps =)Make sure the area you start with dosen't have any mats.Try this while sitting on the floor, putting him up on a table/counter may remind him of the groomers - dogs have long memories.Don't make him sit or lie down unless he is comfortable this is to be enjoyable not doggy punishment =}.Yelping is probably because he was cut the last time or they came very close to it, maybe pulled too hard. Dogs sometimes react to the possiblity something is going to hurt even if it doesn't and this is also their way of telling you it's too close.Leave the scissors until he is comfortable with the brush you don't want to overwhelm him with too much.Eye cleaning start with a wadded up slightly damp tissue gently hold his chin, make quick light strokes with the tissue, if you don't get it all at once you can try again a few hours later. If you stay too long with grooming a fearful dog it just makes them more nervous. You need to learn how to read the body language your dog is displaying, then you know when he's had enough.

[lil mutt]

Your dog isnt used to be groomed on the first place which will make it very hard to groom your dog.