I Need help!

[SparklyVampire]

I have a 1 year old dog and her fur is a mess, it's completely matted and she refuses to let us go anywhere near her with a brush let alone scissors.
It happened after our dog groomer nipped her skin while cutting her fur, and now shes traumatised. We have tried everything we can think of, we took her to the vet too who recommended trying a dog groomer who was experienced with difficult dogs.

Long story short it didnt work and she's worse than ever, can anyone please reccomend anything

[FiveHoursSleep]

What breed is she? Would you consider having her sedated by the vet and getting her coat clipped completely off?
While it's growing back you can work towards gradually acclimatising her to a soft brush with out the extra pressure of actually having to brush her.

[SparklyVampire]

Thank you for the reply, She's a "yorkie-poo" (yorkshire terrier, poodle cross). And thats our problem really she doesn't have fur she has hair that grows a lot!. Im beginning to think sedation is our only answer although my vet was very reluctant to consider this

[Wolfiefan]

Had a cat who had a similar reaction. Used brush to scratch her head (which she loved) and went from there. Could you stroke him and then gently run brush over? Brush and then treat? What else does vet suggest?

[FiveHoursSleep]

I think a well managed sedation and clip will be the least traumatic option for everyone. If she's a young, healthy dog it shouldn't cause any problems. If your vet is that worried maybe find another one!

[RedwingWinter]

When we first got Dog2, he had had very matted fur, hated to be touched in various places, and wouldn't let anyone go near him with a brush. The rescue had him groomed by an experienced groomer (who used a lot of dog appeasing pheromones) so he came to us all nice and silky, but we had to gradually get him used to being groomed. We did it very gradually - started by showing the brush and giving a treat, then began to move the brush over him (without actually touching him) and giving treats, then brushing very gently in places where he didn't mind so much, and so on. It took several months but over time it worked. Now if he sees me grooming our other dog, he comes up and asks for his turn.

It's a slow process and I think you will need to go through all of that, but of course you also have to decide what to do right now about the matted fur. I would suggest an experienced groomer who will use lots of treats and dog appeasing pheromones (you can get these on a collar or as a spray - I think it's called adaptil). Sedation would only be a really last resort. Maybe the vet can help with shaving the worst of the mats, without needing sedation?

[SparklyVampire]

Im deffinatly going to try some of your suggestions, i really think sedation will be the way to go to get her mat free then we can work from there. I don't honestly think we will be able to cut the dogs fur without sedating her at the moment, the last time the dog groomer tried the dog went for her and started frothing at the mouth. Thank you all very much for your replies