How to Brush a Dog That Bites
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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
The Short and Rewarding Method
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
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
Oreo
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?
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!
