Tips please for combing my 9 week old miniature poodle

[Thesummeriwas16]

Just that please. I have a metal comb and she absolutely hates me combing her - growls, struggles, bites me! Does it get easier - feeling a bit of a failure at the moment! 😥

Licky pad to distract with cream cheese on it?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mat%EF%BC%8CPerfect-Washing-Distraction-Grooming-Suction/dp/B07KPT737F/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=lickimat%2Bwith%2Bsuction%2Bpad%2Bfor%2Bdogs&qid=1704579100&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Plus my dog groomer told me to get a basic battery operated toothbrush and use that on paws etc to get them used to the noise/sensation of the grooming clippers

Do a bit at a time and feed treats while doing it.

Thank you both, I've been getting my DH to hold a wooden spoon with peanut butter on it to distract her but very difficult. Feel I'm going to be spending my whole time trying to groom her - really didn't expect it to be so difficult!

She's 9 weeks old -- everything is difficult, everything is new, and everything is up for chewing! Panic not. She'll get used to it all.

@CarAccident the electric toothbrush is a really good idea !

I have lightly perforated fingers from our 12 week old puppy (no malice, just needle sharp nibbliness) so I feel your pain. At least ours isn't curly!

Thank you @GuppytheCat, I am panicking I know!

Is a metal comb not going to be really pully on poodle coat and actually be a bit painful for her ?
Maybe just a really soft brush to get her used to the whole idea , plus toothbrush a great idea for getting used to grooming noise . There's an app you can get on your phone for getting horses used to clipper noise, don't know if there is a dog one !
Lots of groomers do a puppy groom, no trimming just a nice experience, might be a good time for you to chat with them about maintenance and brushes etc.

Very slowly. She’s still young and probably doesn’t need much grooming yet.

Get her used to the smell of the tools. Then just get used to combing without switching on. Daily, several times daily.

Our dog can’t be combed, his fur is so thick… he can only be done at the groomer.

Aw, @GuppytheCat what breed is yours? She's my third puppy, had terriers before but was seduced by the threads on here about poodles.

Do some research on brushes for poodle coats. A metal comb isn't suitable. And it might be better to send her for a few professional puppy grooms to get used to it, even if you then plan to groom yourself.

@3smallpups You're right, I can see it is painful for her. I've got one of those zoom groom things that I use on my cat - I'll have a go with that for a while. Thank you 😊

@aliasname Thank you, think I've got myself in a bit of a state! On her health check the vet went on and on about how I've chosen a high maintenance dog and how I need to get her used now to everything like grooming, cleaning her teeth and checking her ears and paws az it will be impossible when she's older.

We have a miniature poodle. We do all her grooming and clipping. We used lots of treats, lots of good dog encouragement noises and kept sessions very short to start with. Don’t use a comb, use a soft brush. Our breeder told us to use clippers around her bum from the start, as it’s very important to keep that area clean.

We brush her every day and clean her teeth. We clip her using clippers and scissors, every six weeks. Be very patient, it will all be fine.

@tootrueblue Yes. I've done loads of research and they all say a metal comb and a slicker brush - I bought both and she hates the slicker brush even more. I did want to try and groom her myself but I think you're right a professional would be best even if just for now

@Manyandyoucanwalkover Really, you brush yours with a soft brush and that keeps her mat-free?

Some people are commenting that a comb isn't the appropriate tool, but that isn't quite right. I agree a slicker brush makes the job easier, but until you can comb to the skin (called line brushing) you can't be sure there aren't any mats.

OP, I really like Leading Edge Dog Show Academy. As the same says, it is geared towards show dogs, but the basic maintenance is the same. Here's the poodle specific playlist: Just skip the ones about top knots and rosettes.

I would also recommend scheduling a bath with a groomer once your poodle's vaccines are done. Like your vet said, poodles demand quite a lot of maintenance, and plenty of it is done by groomers. You don't want your pup's first experience with a groomer to be when older, as it will take more time and stress - best to get used to it as a puppy, and especially before the coat change.

Yes, she gets brushed every single day and we clip her every six weeks. We keep her coat quite short. We’re meticulous in checking for knots and if we do find one, we deal with it immediately.

I start with a Chris Christensen Dog Brush then use a small comb, the brush gets a lot out then the comb finishes it off.

@InTropicalTrumpsLand Thank you for all the information - that's really helpful! 😊

@Manyandyoucanwalkover That sounds really encouraging! I'm going to get her a soft brush today

@ACynicalDad I'm going to look that up right now - thank you!

Mine prefers a human hairbrush with the plastic flexi bristles, rather than the dog combs.

I don’t groom them daily. Probably once a week when they are on my lap on the sofa.

They have a professional groom every 4 weeks and I keep their body hair close clipped.

They have no mats or tangles.

@sickbucket67 Thank you, that's encouraging!

I’d get a Chris Christensen pin brush. They’re expensive but great quality & very gentle, a comb is too tuggy on the matts & will be hurting her. I have a couple of Maltese, not curly like a poodle but very fine hair that is prone to matting if not brushed every day. A detangling spray would help too, lots of makes, I use both Chris Christensen & The Stuff.