Puppy thinks biting is the best solution - questions

[brendon]

Hey Everyone!

Onyx is doing much better since my first post a few months back. He is in puppy school and learning more and more. We have an issue with grooming tools mainly. He is in this phase where biting is the solution. I can take the nail clippers and rub them all over and he doesn't mind them. If I get close to his face he bites. If I grab a paw and get close he isn't too bad but the second I cut he whines or barks and runs and hides. I don't get the quick but he just doesn't like it. The brush he just bites. I have tried to tie "Leave It" and the tools together but he still often just bites. I am going to try one of those peti-paw tools and keep at the leave it with the brush but what are some tricks to get him to enjoy being groomed? I do notice that trying to massage him at the end of a day is difficult too. He likes to roll around or just not lay still and be massaged. He is still very much a puppy and I am assuming that is mainly why he does this but it is good to check around.

Edit: He is 15 months old currently.

Thanks!

[BigBrownDog]

Lots of dogs dislike nail clippers. I don't even bother clipping my own dogs nails, the vet does it. You can also go to a groomer for this. But a different tool may help (like the peti paw you mention). A brush is a different story. Do you have a sit/stay you can enforce with him? Have you been to an obedience class? Most dogs like being brushed. What are you using for a brush, maybe it's too harsh?

And - if he is balking at a daily massage, why are you doing it? Hardly necessary.