The cockerpoo pup is nearly six months old. I brush him every other day with a slicker brush, just to get him used to it. He was at the groomer's 3 weeks ago as his coat was already 4 inches long 
, and she agreed that he has a poodle coat. He doesn't shed at all (just picks up ginger hairs from the spaniel 
). Anyway, he will let me brush his back, sides, head and ears, but has a real aversion to me brushing his legs and tail. I am going slowly, offering treats and very gently just about tickling those areas with the brush, but he really doesn't like it. His adult coat hasn't started to grow in yet, but I know that when it does he will get matts and they will need to be groomed out in between grooming appointments. Any advice on getting him used to having these areas groomed? Strangely, he likes having his paws massaged and has no issue with me touching his feet or nails.
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Help needed with grooming
LesserSpottedNeckSnake · 28/08/2013 19:41
Just keep doing little & often in the areas he doesn't like, accompanied by lots of silly, encouraging, praising noises, brushing the bits he doesn't mind in between. Alternate a minute at a time, happy place, objected to area. It takes time but you usually get so they will put up with it though probably won't ever like it.
I've never had a dog yet, & I've owned lots over the years, that don't have one spot that they hate having brushed.
Amongst my bunch at the moment one hates her legs & tail done, like yours, one hates his chest being brushed while another doesn't mind which bit I brush, just as long as I keep doing the same bit. As soon as I move to another bit he keeps turning round so the side already done gets more 
Bit of a pain seeing as they're all really long, silky coated show dogs 
Can you massage his legs as well as feet?
One of our boys used to get whacked with the grooming tools if he didn't stand still. Often across his tender legs because it hurt more, sorry 'quickly got his attention' 
. Not here I hasten to add.
Moving from hands and comb to a slicker was a step he couldn't get over initially. We used a finger toothbrush, then palm pad (well more than one, we cut them down to almost nothing) and started with that, so it's mostly hands, soft and not scary. Keeping the slicker use to non sensitive areas with lots of reward. Habituating him to it's presence around legs etc. We also got him to fetch and carry the slicker (an old one we sandpapered so he couldn't accidentally hurt himself)- trying to generalise the slicker for him outside of grooming which was stressful, it was always positive.
Slower but effective, it got around his immediate 'nope that hurts me' and trying to eat anything that went near him, so the touching/grooming was removed from the slicker issue into two smaller issues it was easier for him to cope with. He had to be groomed, didn't have to be with a slicker iyswim. I admit we aren't necessarily conventional though.
Also loads of conditioner on his legs to try and prevent knots and avoid any pain as much as we could from accidental snags if he moved unexpectedly. He looked greasy for a while we used so much but did the trick. You can 'groom' him with anything now - Hoover, broom, my hairbrush (thanks DH).
Your pup sounds very cute!
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