How do you groom a dog with a double coat who hates stripping and can't tolerate clippers?

[EekArghEurgh]

Just that really. Ddog is nearly 10 but is increasing intolerant of hand stripping (by me or groomer) and absolutely hates clippers. I keep him tidy with as much stripping as he will tolerate, and trims with scissors, but he does get a bit matted. I don't care that he looks scruffy, but I don't want him to be uncomfortable and for a non shedding dog he sheds a lot.

I have looked up the coat care for the breed (Norfolk terrrier https://www.norfolkterrierclub.co.uk/coatcare), but he hates the stripping knife, the wire brush and hand stripping. I am also not bothered about breed standard grooming. - just less hair and more comfort - as the web page describes he does now look like "an animated hearth rug"!

Is there a magic tool or method any one knows of that could do this job without upsetting him too much? There are millions available online. - but would love to hear from someone with tools that actually work!

NB his double coat is similar to a Border Terrier rather than a husky - so wiry and tough not silky

I've seen a video of a Border Terrier, in the same position, getting a scissors over comb cut. It's a bit laborious, but gives a finish pretty close to hand stripping rather than straight clipping.

But doesn't the coat get very dense then? The dead hair still needs to come out?

I know nothing about dogs so this might be a dumb idea, but would hair dressers zigzag thinning scissors work? It won't get the dead hair out, but it will thin it out

You could ask your vet to prescribe some mild sedatives for grooming sessions if he gets very stressed? Very common.

My cocker spaniel hated being groomed and when he was younger he once came back from a groomer with one ear done and the other left as he was so unhappy (and badly behaved ) Funnily enough they were always too busy to take him again after that.

I now groom him every other morning during his breakfast...basically I sit his cup of food on top of the counter and he allows me to groom him for a bit in exchange for a few pieces of his kibble. Repeat several times in an approx 10 mins feeding session. Some days are dedicated just to his ears 😂.

I also have a 'roll over' instruction where he rolls onto his back and allows me to scissor away any developing matts on his belly / under his legs. Again, in exchange for something nice to eat. (One snip = 4 pieces of kibble, it's a very laborious process but it works)

But you may have to build up to his happiness with whatever tool you use, eg. giving him treats just for sniffing the tool, then treats for tolerating it resting against him, then treats for a single brush stroke etc etc. That's why I have to use my dog's entire dinner for grooming, if he had that separately he would be obese with the amount of treats I would get through!

I used to use a fulminator on my old Welsh Terrier. Seemed to reduce the undercoat.

You would still need to use a carding knife or similar to remove dead undercoat, but that shouldn't be as traumatic as stripping if done correctly. Lots of older BTs are clipped when they no longer tolerate stripping.

I do a similar thing for my rescue dog who doesn't appreciate being brushed. Luckily he's very greedy so it's brush, treat, brush, treat. He tolerates it as long as he can see the treat packet and it's a short session.

My border terrier hated being groomed and we only used to manage a small amount at a time , have you tried a stripping stone which seems to be a bit gentler

So, I found two things that he actually likes! One is a coat rake which in one session I have taken out a pile of undercoat the size of my head (he even let me do his chest) and the other is a grooming mitten thing which he has really enjoyed. I think the pinhead brushes and combs may have been too scratchy, but these definitely will keep the shedding down a bit. If I can just get him used to clippers we might be making some furry progress!