How to Groom a Dog without Being Bitten
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Introduction
Does the idea of grooming your dog cause you to tremble in fear because he likes to bite anyone who even thinks about brushing him or trimming his nails? Often, this difficulty starts off with a single bad experience. Maybe the person trying to brush him was being too rough and it hurt (creating that "hated" brush in your pup's mind). Maybe someone trimmed his nails too short and they bled. No matter the cause, things like this tend to stick in your pup's mind and make him afraid the next time.
Dog's Perspective
Your dog probably learned to hate being groomed through a single incident such as those above. The mere idea of being groomed sends him into a state of fear and anxiety. He really isn't mad at you, he is mostly just scared and trying to tell you in the only way he knows how. The good news is that with a little time, effort, and patience, you can reach the point at which your pup will let you groom him while he patiently waits for you to make him look his best.
The Acclimation Method
The Redirect Method
Caution & Considerations
- You should be aware that while fear and anxiety are among the most common reasons why dogs will bite while they are being groomed, this is not the only reason.
- Dogs who are in pain, have a skin condition, or are suffering from hip dysplasia may bite when you touch the painful areas with a brush.
- It cannot be stressed enough that you need to take your time acclimating your dog to being groomed once he has started biting during the process.
- It can take weeks or months before your pup is ready to comfortably submit to being groomed. Be sure to give him lots of praise and treats along the way. Make it fun and he will learn to enjoy the experience.
Conclusion
Bear in mind it can take a lot of hard work and patience to calm Captain Bite-tastic and get him to stop trying to chew your face off each time you go to brush him. But remember, you can make the entire event fun for both of you, and always have plenty of treats on hand.
Success Stories and Grooming Questions
Grooming Questions & Answers
Molly is a rescue and quite aggressive with grooming/brushing etc. We manage to brush her gently on main parts but at the sides of her back legs she is really prone to matting. We use conditioner spray which helps but wonder what else we can do. A year ago she had a thorough groom who clipped her short but she was set right back by that so we don’t want her clipped again, and to do it at home where she is happier. She tolerates a bath well but is fearful of anything else. Thanks for helpful suggestions on how we should look after that dry area of her coat
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Thank you for the question about cute little Molly. There are a few things you can try; I have provided links to a few guides on our site. If she tolerates baths, can someone distract Molly while another person trims some of the mats out of the back area? Trim a bit at a time and once you get the mats cut out, don't worry about brushing it right away because if she cooperates when having that done, that's a good thing. It could be that she is aggressive when brushed because the process hurts and pulls. I always think that in these cases, having the dog mat-free is more important than having the fur looked perfectly shaped. A little bit at a time goes a long way and comfort is more important than looks. Keep using the conditioner to soften the fur, too. https://wagwalking.com/grooming/brush-matted-dog-hair https://wagwalking.com/grooming/wash-a-dog-with-matted-hair https://wagwalking.com/grooming/prevent-dog-hair-from-matting Good luck and enjoy your dog!
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Grooming Success Stories
She loves being groomed and never bites
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