How to Brush a Dog That Bites

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How to Brush a Dog That Bites

Medium

10 - 30 Minutes

1 Weeks

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Introduction

Brushing a dog that bites can be quite scary. If you have a dog who bites you may not have a groomer who is willing to touch your dog. This might mean you're stuck brushing your dog all the time and you could potentially be bitten.

Outside of the obvious muzzle you can put on your dog to keep him from biting, one thing you can do is retrain your dog to not bite. If he's biting when he's being brushed, then it's likely because he doesn't enjoy brushing, he's fearful of the brush, or he's been abused before. Though there could be other reasons your dog is upset and bites during brushing, you can retrain him to be tolerant and well-mannered during brushing.

Dog's Perspective

If your dog bites, he probably bites for a reason. Typically this is for protection or out of fear. Either way, he's your little guy and spending some extra time showing him he is safe with nothing to worry about will go a long way. Also, rewards for good behavior, even if they are short bouts of good behavior, will go a long way in retraining your dog.

The Treat Toys Method

Effective

0 Votes

Slicker Brush

Pin Brush

Step

Plan

Set up a comfortable place for your dog to lie while brushing him. You will want to be as close to him as possible while still maintaining a safe distance in the event he bites.

Step

Prepare

Fill a Kong or a puzzle toy with treats for your dog to chew on, instead of you, while you are brushing him. Giving your dog a distraction won’t work for very long, so plan small sections to brush while offering him different treats as you move along.

Step

Toy

Offer your dog the puzzle toy or Kong filled with treats or peanut butter. Watch as he plays and give him verbal praise. Pet your pup while he’s playing but avoid touching his toy. This will help build trust with him. If he’s territorial, touching his treat toy will cause anxiety.

Step

Brush

As your dog is preoccupied with the puzzle toy, begin brushing him in one small area. Use slow strokes with a light pressure so the dog is not feeling rushed or anxious with your force or speed. Set the tone with verbal praise for staying focused on the toy.

Step

Redirect

If your dog growls or bites at your hand, show him the brush and let him sniff it. He shouldn’t be as interested in the brush because it does not have a treat on it as the toy does. If he takes his attention away from the treat toy, show it to him again. Do not hesitate to refill it to keep his attention longer.

Step

Move

If your dog has allowed you to brush small sections without biting and you need to move him to reach other sections, take an opportunity to take a break. When you come back to re-position him, get him to sit or lie on the opposite side and repeat the steps above.

Step

Patience

Try not to be surprised if your biting dog will not allow a full brushing the first few times you brush him. Focus at first on getting some brushing done without any biting before worrying about brushing him in full.

The Short and Rewarding Method

Effective

1 Vote

Slicker Brush

Pin Brush

Step

Prepare

Pick one brush that will work through your dog’s fur quickly. A pin brush or a slicker brush will be good for longer fur and undercoat. A rake or slicker brush will pull undercoat fur without causing pain. A slicker brush is good for fur that easily tangles. A bristle brush or rubber brush is good for short fur. Gather lots of treats and a toy as well to prepare for brushing. Plan a soft bed for comfort as well.

Step

Sit

Sit with your dog and begin by talking with him and give him a treat or two. This will set the tone and mood for your dog.

Step

Brush

Let your dog sniff the brush you’ve chosen. Remember, only bring one tool to these first few sessions. Your goal will be to train your biting dog to tolerate a brushing without biting. Avoid overwhelming him with too many tools.

Step

Small areas

Focus your brushing on small areas, one area at a time. Use one hand to brush and the other hand to treat your dog while brushing. For instance, brush down your dog’s neck with one hand while giving him a treat with the other hand. Watch both hands so your dog does not bite.

Step

Redirect

If your dog growls or snaps at you, pull both hands away and start again with a treat. Plan to spend a lot of time redirecting and treating your dog. You want him to associate the brush and the act of brushing with the value of treats and rewards.

Step

Try again

Let your dog sniff the brush and offer a treat again. Begin brushing with one hand and treating with the other. Keep doing this for each section you are brushing, offering more treats as you move along.

Step

Reposition

You may need to reposition your dog to get to other areas, or you may need to give your dog a break. For the first few sessions, don’t worry about brushing your entire dog. Focus more on rewarding him for what he allows you to brush without biting.

Step

Patience

Be patient with your dog and show him empathy and love with a soft, gentle voice and treats to redirect his anxiety. Avoid using a harsh tone or getting angry with your dog. If he bites, correct with a firm “No!” but otherwise, keep your tone quiet and calm.

Caution & Considerations

If your dog needs a break, give it to him. He's more likely to get frustrated if you are not offering breaks every so often.
Try to remember a treat goes a long way. Even your large dog will work hard for a small treat.
Pay attention to when your dog becomes aggressive while you're brushing him.
At first, only brush areas your dog will let you brush, such as his neck or just his back.
Build trust with your dog by brushing areas he's comfortable with and then slowly moving to other areas with lots of rewards and empathy.
Pay attention to how your dog reacts to certain motions. For instance, if you have a rescue dog there is always a chance he will flinch when you raise your hand or a brush over his head.
Bring the brush to your dog's fur from a different direction if your dog flinches every time you bring it to his fur from the same direction. This is especially true which dogs who have a past you are unaware of.
Get your dog involved in the brushing process and have him sniff the brush before you brush his fur.
Even if you are frustrated because your dog has bitten you or attempted to bite you, try to remain calm and keep your voice calm. Any anxiety you have will project onto your dog, making him all the more anxious.

Conclusion

Just because you have a Brutus doesn't mean your pup needs to be brutal. Biting while brushing is not acceptable behavior. But don't avoid pampering your pup just because he doesn't understand the expectations. Train him to be accepting of a brush and a good grooming and make him beautiful from paw to tail.

Success Stories and Grooming Questions

Grooming Questions & Answers

Question

Oreo

Maltipoo

5 Months

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Oreo

Maltipoo

5 Months

Hi, I have a 5 month old puppy, who becomes aggressive and starts growling whenever we try to brush him. We have tried giving him treats, distracting him, as well as only brushing small sections of his fur at a time, however he just does not let. He had his first grooming almost a month ago, and the groomer couldn't attend to his face, because he started becoming extremely aggressive and nipping her. Could you suggest some other possible alternatives? Also initially should we keep brushing him despite him growling. I've read online, and it indicates that it could be a display of his dominance?

3 years, 5 months ago

Oreo's Owner

Darlene Stott

Dog Trainer and Groomer

0 Dog owners recommended

Hello, if you have not started training Oreo with his obedience, I'd suggest that right away. But first, talk to the vet and have a check up done to rule out a medical reason for the behavior. While at the vet, you can verify that Oreo's vaccines are up to date so you can enroll him in puppy classes. It's great for socialization, which your little Maltipoo will need. It's also a good way to perfect commands for grooming, such as sit and stay. But even more important, yes, Oreo needs to learn that you are the leader - and that grooming is okay! I would continue with the grooming of small sections at a time, followed by a game of tug or fetch. Start with one minute grooming sessions, with lots of praise afterward. When cuddling, spend lots of time patting the ears, the feet, and the face. Work with a groomer used to aggressive dogs, and see if you can bring Oreo there for mini-sessions to start, building up to longer ones as he becomes tolerant. Good luck!

3 years, 5 months ago