Isn’t This The Groomer Or The Vet’s Problem?

Handling and grooming is just as important at home as it is at the clinic or salon, you need to touch your dog too! In order for your puppy/dog to accept being handled by your groomer or veterinary staff; they need to be comfortable being handled by you first.

The popularity of poodle crosses and long-coated breeds means more and more of us are sharing their lives with dogs that require regular, often complex grooming. But regardless of breed and coat type; all dogs need to feel safe being touched, examined, and cared for.

No dog is born knowing how to accept handling although some temperaments are more accepting than others. From the moment they’re born, puppies are poked, prodded, and touched in ways they don’t understand. Without understanding how they communicate, and without gentle and positive associations; these experiences can become overwhelming and frightening leading to intense struggling and sometimes even aggression.

In some cases, dogs become so distressed by handling that they need medication just to visit the groomer or vet. Sadly, the outdated belief that dogs must “just tolerate” handling can lead to forceful techniques that break down trust. There’s a better way.

Everyday Handling: What Your Dog May Need To Accept In Future:

When we think about “handling,” we often imagine brushing or bathing, but the reality is that dogs are likely to need a wide range of care throughout their lives. Teaching them to feel comfortable being touched and examined isn’t just about grooming; it’s essential for their overall health and wellbeing.

Here’s a list of common procedures and situations your dog may experience:

 🐾 Bottom wiping

 🐾 Paw washing

 🐾 Health checks, including temperature taking

 🐾 Eye and ear drops

🐾 Ear cleaning and eye bathing

 🐾 Teeth brushing

🐾 Being picked up or standing on grooming/vet tables

 🐾 Applying flea or tick treatments

🐾 Wearing collars, harnesses, coats, muzzles or cones

🐾 Nail clipping and filing

🐾 Removing thorns, burrs, or grass seeds

🐾 Brushing and combing

🐾 Bathing, towel drying, and blow-drying

🐾 Clipping or trimming fur

 🐾 Receiving vaccinations or microchips

🐾 Managing injuries and wound care

Most of these experiences involve unfamiliar equipment, strange sensations, or unusual handling positions. Sometimes they may involve being touched and handled by someone they do not know, in a stressful environment or while they are feeling unwell/in pain. Without preparation, even the most patient dog can become anxious or reactive to being handled.

By gradually and positively introducing your dog to these situations, you’ll reduce stress and increase their ability to cope calmly when it matters most; whether that’s during a vet visit, a grooming session, or a simple walk in muddy weather where they’ll need cleaning up when you get home.

Start Early, But Know It's Never Too Late

Puppies are easier to teach than adults but they’re not blank slates; certain behavioural tendencies are passed on in their genetics and even from their early experiences in the womb. The first 8weeks of a puppy’s life (typically spent with the breeder) are incredibly important. The best breeders begin handling puppies very early, when they are only a few days old; not just cuddling!

Puppies also need good socialisation and habituation between3–14 weeks of age, before natural fear responses begin to kick in. The majority of people collect their puppies at 8-10 weeks of age, so those first few weeks in their new home are crucial for introducing positive learning experiences

Grooming and handling can become much more difficult for puppies going through the adolescent phase (from around 5-6months or age) and you can read more about this in the previous blog "What has happened to your puppy? Five things you need to know about living with a teenage dog"

If your dog missed out on this early handling, don’t worry. It’s never too late to build trust and teach handling skills with the right approach.

We need to teach our puppies and dogs that they can trust the process, and to teach them that by co-operating they will have a pleasant experience rather than be forced.

How To Teach Your Puppy To Enjoy Being Handled

Handling isn’t the same as cuddling; it involves gentle restraint, touching all parts of the body, and mild manipulation. Keep sessions short, frequent, and at your puppy’s pace to avoid stress.

Do:

 ✔️ Practice daily, continuing into adulthood.

✔ Choose your moments wisely! There’s no point trying to teach your puppy how to be calmly handled and groomed while they are having a crazy half hour.

✔️ Use calm, slow movements and plenty of treats.
✔️ Start with less sensitive areas(chest, back, sides) before working up to paws, tail, mouth, and undercarriage.
✔️ Pair each touch with a treat after the touch to create a positive association. I call this method “touch & treat” and this classical conditioning is explained in a previous blog post "What is classical conditioning and why do you need to understand it?"
✔️ Watch your puppy’s body language for signs of discomfort. Avoid your puppy having a negative learning experience!

✔️ Keep these sessions very short, just a minute is fine to begin with or maybe shorter if needed. If your puppy gets overwhelmed it’s better to end the session and make it easier next time.

Introducing Grooming Equipment

All dogs need to be brushed, so start by desensitising your puppy to the brush:

🐾 Let them sniff it.

🐾 Touch their body lightly with the brush, then treat.

 🐾 Keep sessions short, pressure-free, and separate from real grooming sessions to begin with.

 🐾 Gradually build up, at your puppy’s pace, the amount of grooming.

Tip: Use a lick mat as a distraction if you need to get grooming done; this is particularly important in the case of long haired breeds that can get matted, or those that need a nail clip. Sometimes distracting a puppy is an easy way to get something done. But in the long run they do need to learn how to be handled without distraction; this is where your short training sessions come in!

Avoid:

❌ Turning handling into play (eg. letting your puppy bite the brush or towel). Simply move the item out of their reach if they try to bite it. Also be aware that many puppies will bite the item because they feel unsure about being touched by it; it’s not always play!
❌ Surprising your puppy with loud dryers or hoses. We have an understanding of what a hair dryer and a shower hose is. Our puppies do not, so introduce these gradually and at a distance, while turned off to begin with.
❌ Forcing your puppy through fear; this erodes their trust in the process, and their trust in you.

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Teaching Puppies To Be Picked Up

Had you considered that puppies should be taught this?

Puppies and small dogs are often picked up, which can feel scary or unpredictable. Teach a cue like “up” before lifting, and always support the chest and rump. Ever been in a lift and had that sinking tummy feeling? I’m sure dogs must get that too if they are lifted up too fast! Lift slowly, and have a helper give treats while your puppy is in your arms to create a positive association.

If your puppy rolls onto their back or cowers away; give them a few moments; this is them communicating they are uncomfortable with what’s going on. By listening to their body language you help them to trust you. Try calling your puppy to you rather than reaching over the top of them which can be scary and cause them to back off.

It’s also important to avoid picking up puppies unnecessarily, while it’s helpful with small dogs in some situations, many are overhandled. Puppies very quickly learn to avoid being picked up if it’s a common tactic for stopping them from doing something they find fun.

Grooming Salons And Vet Visits: Early Experiences Matter

If your dog will need professional grooming, begin salon visits early; as soon as they are fully vaccinated, don’t wait until they need a full groom! Start with short, positive visits to meet the groomer and explore the environment. Look for a groomer who understands canine body language and is willing to build up your puppy’s confidence gradually.

It’s helpful to take along some treats that your puppy likes, and some positive items they enjoy at home such as a snuffle mat. This way, you can chat to your groomer while your puppy calmly explores and has something positive to do.

It may cost you a little more money but this should be factored into your puppy’s early education. It’s much better for your puppy’s well-being to have a few short and positive visits to the groomer, building up the grooming process gradually, than to have a longer session which overwhelms them.

Ask your groomer to be honest with you and to stop the process if your puppy becomes stressed, you can always try again on the next appointment.

Learn To "Speak Dog"

Understanding your dog’s body language is key to knowing when to stop and give them space.

Signals like lip licking, yawning, looking away, or freezing are all signs your dog may be overwhelmed. But some dogs and especially puppies will also do something called the ‘fool around’ response which can just look like excitement but it’s a form of stress. Ignoring these signals in favour of using restraint can lead to growling, snapping, or biting.

Final Thoughts

With patience, positive reinforcement and by understanding how your puppy/dog communicates with you, they can learn to feel safe during grooming and handling. I believe that we need to give our dogs the same consideration and respect we would give to ourselves in a similar situation.  Educating for our puppies and dogs helps everyone in the long run; you, your groomer, your veterinary staff and most importantly; your dog.

Blog written by Claire Mcknespiey of Educating Paws