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The best treats! The ones she absolutely goes bonkers over. Some love bits of hot dog but for Ladybug I gave her bits of shredded cheese each time she showed cooperation and told her in a squeaky voice "Good Girl" so she knew I liked any sign of good behavior a lot. Also gave her a chew stick to chew on while I brushed her in her first training sessions to keep her busy and happier. So lots of treats and praise. Keep sessions as short as you can at first too. Time and patience is what eventually showed good results as she matured. I know that can be tough when you just want to get the job done. So maybe when you don't have a dirty dog needing groomed you could do very short sessions in a more playful manner with the treats so she thinks of it as a fun game more over. Work in to it that way.

Great advice CelticLadee, I'm going to start using the them with Daisy and Rudy as they are little buggers when it comes to bath time too. Never thought about the treat aspect, works for training, why not with baths? Zoi will eventually get used to having her bath, my papillons hated baths at first, my female was always tentative but tolerated but my little male grew to love his bath and best of all blow drying. There is HOPE :)

Thanks finnkid. Ladybug is food motivated so it works good with her. But Cricket is not so much. Fortunately she is just more willing than Ladybug for the most part. As you know every dog has his/her own unique personality so you gotta work with them figuring out what works best. I admit I have never been mom to a dog that did the thing I asked (for the most part) 'just because he/she wanted to please me'. You know ... like Lassie. lol That must be wonderful.

As we all know puppies can be a bigger challenge as they are just learning everything and are a blank slate in a way. It took me over two years of patience, consistent love & treats to get Ladybug to allow me to hold her paws to do her nails. She would for a professional groomer but not me. She was one super stubborn scaredy cat. Tends to be her nature overall. She allows me now but reluctantly to grind her nails. Maybe she sensed my lack of confidence doing her nails. They read our emotions very easily it seems to me. So I often tell myself ... Keep it happy! Be confident. (we all are in training you see.) ;-)

Along with all the treats and love they need to know who is the leader of their pack so to speak. They look up to us and if we aren't in the leader role they will take it over. If you study Turid Rugaas books and DVD's on dog behavior it really gives you clarity reading dog body language... posture, facial expressions & movement so you know what your dog is saying & thinking. Important to understand not only to read your dog but to send them calming signals, etc. I find it fascinating to say the least. I'm still working on this but with time and as my Poms mature we have a greater understanding and mutual respect.

Hope you will have some break through with Daisy and Rudy as you work with them finnkid. I find it is satisfying to set goals and reach them. We are working on dinner manners with the Poms now. Making them sit or lay at least 6 feet away from the dinner table while we eat. That way if we drop anything they don't rush in and eat it. We have time to say "stop". hee hee.

Puff, I have noticed you are a very creative, smart mom. I am confident you will figure out how to motivate Zoi to get the desired behavior. Have you considered 'clicker' training? Some say it is very effective. JRT's are quick thinking/acting so it may be more effective to click then treat. My Poms are noise sensitive and didn't like it when they were younger. I started to experiment with it now to see what reactions I get. So many dog moms over the years have told me it is the greatest training tool. Does anyone here use it?

Next time I go to town and wally world I'll try to find a clicker. she was alot better today with the combing. did't fight the comb so much. It is bath day tomorrow and we'll see.

I use most of the above mentioned tactics plus just one more thing .
That is , get into the shower with my dogs and stay in there with them while we "get their bath"
It is sometimes"messy" and takes a few times until they dont mind it at all....but it works!
In fact ,when I shower myself, the two little ones beg to come in with me...LOL

I tried the shower with Zoi and she freaked big time. lol I had scratches on my legs.

I use puppy wipes on Smoke. This cleans him well enough to help with smell and cuts down on full baths. Also he like them and the brushing afterwards. Always give them a treat soon as your done.