Hello,

Sometimes a dog's aversion to combing can be gotten over through a technique called Tellington Touch therapy and then introducing combing once the dog has gotten used to Tellington Touch. There are several books written by Linda Tellington Jones on the Tellington touch technique. It is easy to do and anyone can learn it. It builds trust on the dog's part of the human touching him. It also works on zoo or 'wild' animals and zookeepers also use the technique. And I think it might help with this dog.

However, if the matted fur is causing discomfort to the dog's skin, then touch will agravate him and upset him causing the dog to guard and protect his body. Combing a dog who is already suffering from pain and irritation of mats on his fur just isn't productive and could further damage the dog's trust of humans. So if the matting is severe and is causing the dog pain and discomfort, then the sedation and shaving solution would be the first step. (A pleasant appearance will help this dog get adopted).

Then, after the grooming has taken place, you can start Tellington touch work on the dog and it will help him to be calmer, more sociable, more trusting, and all of these things can help to get him adopted.

I got my first Tellington touch book from my local library and I tried the technique on dogs at a shelter where I sometimes volunteer and it does wonders for them. These techniques are easy and you can start implementing them immediately as you are reading through Ms. Tellington Jone's boook.

I also use this on my own 3 dogs and on my neighbor's horses. They all love it. My neighbor's horses get competitive over who I get to 'touch' first because they love it. They hear the sound of my footsteps on my walk over from my house, down the road to their corral and they come running to greet me because they all want 'Tellington touch". It always makes me smile and it makes them really happy too.

I am not related to Ms. Tellington-Jones and I do not personally or professionaly profit in any way from advocating her book or technique. I just know for myself that is has worked for me on countless animals and it probably couldn't hurt on this dog.

Perhaps you could look for her books through your library system or you could purchase one of her paperback books very reasonably through a bookstore or online.

Best regards,
Anna Lisa and her 3 dogs