How to Brush a Dog That Hates Being Brushed
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Introduction
Having a challenging dog not only brings some frustration to your day-to-day life, but also to things you know must be done, such as brushing your dog. Brushing a dog who hates to be brushed will take a lot of time and patience on your part.
Consider doing the things you hate doing, such as going to the dentist or washing dishes. Your dog feels the same way about being brushed. You know it needs to be done. Your dog knows it needs to be done. But that doesn't make the task any easier. Focus your dog on the rewards they can have during brushing rather than the act itself that they hate.
Dog's Perspective
You know your dog hates being brushed. So, go into the brushing with empathy and understanding — and lots of treats. Take a slow and gentle approach, and don't expect too much until you've had plenty of time to convince your pup brushing is not as horrible as they might think.
If your dog is reluctant to be groomed, keeping them looking their best can be a stressful experience. So if you want to let someone else do all the hard work, book a Grooming service with a Pet Caregiver near you today.
The Brush, Treat, Brush Method
The Puzzle Toy Method
Caution & Considerations
- One thing to remember with your dog who hates being brushed is that they can't always communicate to you how they feel, such as why they hate to be brushed.
- The best way to approach a dog who hates being brushed is with love and understanding. This means food for many dogs and patience for others.
- Bring lots of treats to your brushing session.
- For the first several times you brush your dog who hates to be brushed, brush in small sections at a time.
- If your dog is matted, work on only the knots and mats until they are all out before you brush your dog from head to tail. Cutting large mats with scissors is faster than brushing. The impatient dog who hates brushing might find cutting mats easier until they're willing to allow regular grooming.
- Working in sections means your dog doesn't have to sit still and be miserable for an entire brushing all at one time.
- Don't hesitate to give your dog a reward for tolerating a brush in their fur for even just a few seconds at a time. The first several times you commit to brushing your dog, you should plan to go through a lot of treats.
- Be patient with your dog. They're doing something they do not enjoy. Showing frustration and anger will upset your pup and set you both back.
Conclusion
Brushing can put you in the doghouse with your pooch. But keep your brushing sessions light and rewarding with fun treats or toys filled with high-value treats. Keeping your dog engaged with rewards rather than focused on the act of brushing will keep them looking fur-tastic.
Sick and tired of grooming a reluctant dog? Book a Grooming service with a Pet Caregiver near you today and let someone else do all the hard work.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
welley
he won't let me brush him
How can I get Lola to cooperate with brushing her beard, as it gets pretty matted? She hates being brushed in general, but I can usually get her to gingerly cooperate using treats, for the rest of her body, but when it comes to her beard and around eyes, she absolutely refuses, throws a major fit, won’t let me anywhere near it with any tool, literally trying to climb over me to jump down. I have to wear socks over my arms to pry from her claws as she struggles.
She will not let us brush her. As soon as we get a brush out she runs away. We tried to put her on the kitchen island where she couldn’t have traction, but she still freaked out as soon as the brush touched her fur. We gave her a lot treats and praise while attempting to brush her, but with no luck.
We just adopted this 3 1/2 year old female. She is a sweetheart; gentle as a lamb. BUT when I try to brush her she growls and tries to nip me. She HATES it and won't let me brush her. What can I do? I'm afraid I can't even bring her to a groomer!
0 Dog owners recommended
Hi Lauren, congratulations on your adoption of little Riggins (love the name!). She may have had a bad grooming experience before you came along in her life. I would suggest on an evening after a long walk, to let her relax on the couch with you and try a short brushing session. Praise her, then stop. Each night, just give her a few brushes. If you discover an area where she does not seem to mind it, keep practicing there. Another family member can distract her with a treat, perhaps at the same time. Research a groomer that is used to working with dogs that express fear and aggression. They will probably recommend a few short visits to start. Lastly, make sure that Riggins has a vet checkup to rule out arthritis or another issue that may cause her pain while being brushed. Good luck!
I'm not sure what type of brush to use on my corgi puppy. Since she sheds so much and hates being brushed, I wanted to find a brush that was effective. All her puppy fur is grown out. Which type of brush would work best for her corgi fur?
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello, you will want to use a brush that can work its way through all of her thick fur. Either a slicker brush or pin brush should do the trick. The pin brush may be a tad more effective, but make sure the brush is not sharp. To get Reya used to being brushed, brush her just 2 minutes a day, going over a different section each time. Then the length of time is short and not much for her to handle. As she gets used to it, you can add a few minutes each time. Finish brushing sessions with praise and a special treat, and soon she'll associate a good thing with the brushing. All the best!
My dog hates being brushed; She barks, growls, pulls, and tries to run away if I touch her with a brush. She starts getting riled up if she even sees the brush. She is also a pretty big dog, so I don't want to force her into doing something that causes her so much stress. I've tried treats, but her hatred of the brush outweighs her want for them. She is shedding SO MUCH, and really needs to be brushed, as her fur is literally clumping together in giant tufts. I don't know how to help her! She's a really sweet dog, and she's even gentle enough to play with my 3yo, she just hates brushing! (she's also a sort of short-haired husky if that makes any difference.)
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I agree this can be a problem! Have you tried a metal comb? It may look less daunting than a brush. Or even better, try a grooming glove. The glove fits on your hand and has soft rubber nubs that are quite effective in removing hair. Then, Rio may be more cooperative as she may think she is getting patted instead of brushed. Try giving her a bath in a kiddie pool outside if it's warm enough where you live. The bath may help remove fur as well. Good luck!
My 6 month old pup does not like to be brushed. He is a terrier mix with mostly short hair but a scattering of longer coarse hairs on his face sides. We have tried a slicker brush and a bristle brush. We introduced each of these slowly and with treats and rewarded sniffing and tolerating light brushing. He did okay until we hit the tangles and the brush made noise. When this happens he turns around and bites the brush (mouths on it). Even if I take the bush away or put it down he bites on it. This has been going on for each brushing session for a couple of months. Am I using the wrong brush? Does it hurt him? How can I make him more comfortable and stop mouthing the brush?
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello, try spraying a detangler on the areas not near the face. This may help make the brushing go more smoothly. If you are working on the face, apply some of the spray directly to the brush. If Fauci seems nervous of the spray, spray it on the brush in an area away from him, and then return to him to do the brushing. (This may require an assistant while you spray the brush on the other side of the room.) The brush type is fine in my opinion, but when brushing an area that is tangled, try to work through the tangles with a spray and your fingers. I don't think it will hurt Fauci, but the pulling on the tangles may be irritating and uncomfortable. Take a look at this guide for a few tips: https://wagwalking.com/grooming/brush-tangled-dog-hair. Keep up the grooming - it's best to persevere so he doesn't begin to be more difficult when being groomed. Good luck and all the best to Fauci!
I have a mini schnauzer who is just over a year old and is normally the sweetest angel, but when I try and brush him he basically turns into an evil, bitey, monster. His hair gets SO matted so easily and it has to be brushed practically daily, but he is an absolute nightmare to brush. I have tried a steel comb to work through the mats, I have tried a wire bristle brush, and a normal hairbrush too. None of them seem to work, and he just gets angry every time I attempt to brush him. I have tried slowly doing it every day to get him to be okay with it, with treats and toys and all, and he just isn't having it. I am tired of him having to be shaved every time he gets groomed because they can't brush him either since he is so mean about it.
0 Dog owners recommended
Hello, you may need to have a trainer come in to work with Beasley on this. You seem to be doing everything right! Can you try wiping him with pet wipes every couple of days to try and smooth out the tangles? Another option is to try a fur detangler that you spray on first, enabling the brush to move through the tangles more smoothly. Chances are Beasley gets angry because of the mats pulling on the skin as he's brushed and he's a bit sensitive about it. Try the Puzzle Treats Method described here step by step to see if that makes the process any better. (It mentions peanut butter - remember to make sure there is no xylitol in the peanut butter as it is extremely toxic to dogs!). Good luck and all the best to little Beasley!
