Sensitive Skin

[surfchic63]

I just had a quick question about grooming my rott. She has sensitive skin on her back, and doesn't much like to be groomed at all. I was wondering if anybody had a suggestion as to a more gentle type of brush I could use on her that won't hurt. Thanks!

[majicka]

you can find ones that have softer boar hair or nylon type bristles rather than pin type ones. That should be softer on her.

[Judi W]

Are you sure she is not uncomfortable with the handling more than sensitive skin? Have you checked this possibility out by using our hands in a grooming fashion and not a brush? Most of these dogs even rather relish the shedding blade and pin brushes.

[surfchic63]

Yes, I've done that with my hands, and she loves that. She loves being rubbed and scratched all over. But since day one she hasn't liked the brush, even the rubber ones. We got her from the shelter when she was a year and a half, so I don't really know for sure if she's been this way all her life. She'll tolerate being brushed for only a couple minutes before she tries squirming and yipping trying to get away from it. Sometimes she'll swing her head around and try to bite it. It's strange, because as soon as she sees the brush she tries to hide. Even when I do it super gently. The vet said she had sensitive skin, so I thought that was why.

[JeanT]

Try adding a regular people comb to the use of your hands finger scratching.