Help Needed! Growling and Biting

[My Otis]

I am worried and need help with Elmo. He will be 6mo. old this month. When my husband and I try to clean his butt, or his eyes he growls and tries to bite us, I Love My Elmo So-oo-oo Very Much. What is going on with him doing this, My husband and I are so gentle with Elmo, I give him plenty of Time and Love. What can we do about his trying to bite us, and all of this growing, and snarling at us?? Please Help Me, I do not know what to do. Susan Moore

 

[minavag]

I had the same reaction with Bully ,my 4 months old bulldog ,since 3 weeks ago.I now do his facial cleaning and also his paws after every pee walk .He seems to be relaxed and he used to it very easy.

 

[dolphin]

I would try treats. If you make him think that when he's going to get cleaned that he's going to get treats it may make a difference. Good luck!

 

[2BullyMama]

I am worried and need help with Elmo. He will be 6mo. old this month. When my husband and I try to clean his butt, or his eyes he growls and tries to bite us, I Love My Elmo So-oo-oo Very Much. What is going on with him doing this, My husband and I are so gentle with Elmo, I give him plenty of Time and Love. What can we do about his trying to bite us, and all of this growing, and snarling at us?? Please Help Me, I do not know what to do. Susan Moore

Are you nervous or apprehensive when doing he cleaning? If yes, that may play into his reaction.... as Phil suggested, distract him with treats and try to make it a very pleasant situation. also, get him use to you touching and doing as you want with him, he needs to know you are his boss/alpha.

read the thread here in training/behavior 'Noting in Life is Free' great training tool that is very easy to follow.

 

[Dana F]

We had the same problem with Stinky when trying to clean his tail pocket. I would hold a treat in one hand and try and clean with the other one. We ended up getting his tail removed. He had a inverted corkscrew tail. That's why we had trouble cleaning it. He was in pain. Now we just have to worry about his face.