grooming 13 year old

Question
Hi Patti,
I have a 13 year old collie, I've had her since she was 7 weeks old.  For the last few months she will not let me comb her at all.  When I try she snaps at my hands.  I asked someone to hold her so she couldn't snap and then she struggles so much I'm afraid she'll have a heart attack.  When she was younger she stood perfectly still while I combed her. Her beautiful fur is getting so many knots in it now, and I don't know what to do. She's been to the vet for her checkups and he said she's fine.  Any tips on grooming her would be greatly appriciated, thanks.
Karen  

Answer
Hi Karen,

How odd that after 13 years of trouble free grooming your dog should suddenly get so fussy when being brushed. Perhaps by not brushing her out as often, it's now painful for her to be brushed. Here are a couple of suggestions to try:

I don't know what kind of brush or comb you've been using, but maybe you should try another kind. If you've been using a wire toothed comb or a "pin brush",  try switching to a soft bristle brush.

Try re-training your dog to accept being groomed.
Choose a time when you're relaxed and in a good mood. Your dog should be relaxed and in a good mood, too. An ideal time is after your dog has had a meal and has settled down for a nap. Sit next to your dog and stroke her body. Talk softly to her while you gently massage her all over. Encourage her to stretch out flat on her side. Rub her belly, scratch her ears, the base of his tail, all her favorite places. Most dogs enjoy this and relax almost completely.
Give your dog a massage for a few minutes every day. It won't take long for her to look forward to this time with you. After a few of these massages, introduce a brush. At first, brush only for a few moments and don't try to make any real grooming progress. Your goal is to get her used to the sensation and to associate it with the pleasant massage process. Each day, brush him a few minutes longer, spending time on different parts of his body. Again, praise her for lying quietly and tell her how wonderful she looks.
Although your dog is sure to enjoy her massage and this exclusive attention, after a little while she may decide that enough is enough and try to get up. You'll feel her body tense as she prepares to rise. Before she's actually lifted her head, place the flat of your hand along the side of her neck, just behind her ears and gently but firmly, push her head back to floor, telling her "No, be still." Praise her and rub her tummy as she settles back down. Brush her a little while longer you should be the one to decide when the session is over. Increase the length of the session a little at a time until she'll lie there as long as you want.

If there spots where the hair is hopelessly matted, cut them the mats off, rather than subjecting your dog to needless hair pulling.

Benedryl makes some dogs sleepy and it might work for mild sedation to help make grooming easier. Speak to your vet to get the proper dosage, be sure to ask if there would be any drug interactions with medication which your dog might already be taking.

If all else fails, then you need to take your dog to a professional groomer. The fee you pay is worth having a neatly groomed dog. Your dog will be more comfortable for it.

I hope I've been a help. Best of luck,

Patti