5 Simple Ways to Groom a Dog that Hates Being Brushed

Have a dog that goes berserk as soon as he sees a grooming brush? Here are some tips for single dog owners who are struggling to brush their dog or puppy.

1. Use a Pet Grooming Glove
Some dogs may have a fear of brushes due to a number of reasons, such as previously having a painful or uncomfortable brushing experience. One way to potentially get around this is to use a grooming glove instead. These gloves work decent for medium haired-dogs.

Grooming gloves, such as the DELOMO glove, are a win-win scenario because they give you an opportunity to “pet” your dog while their coat is being de-shedded. It’s also very easy to clear away the clump of dead hair once you are done massaging the dog’s coat.

2. Find the Right Grooming Brush
Not all dog brushes are the same. Your dog may hate being brushed due to the discomfort and pain your current brush creates. A dog brush should be picked based on the shape and size of the brush, and the type of coat your dog has. There are four general types.

Here are the most common types of dog grooming brushes you will come across in the pet store. Each type of brush can serve a unique grooming purpose.

3. Brush the Dog after a Long Walk
In some cases, the best opportunity to groom an uncooperative dog is after a long walk or a heavy playing session. The dogs, especially if they are puppies, won’t have as big of an urge to “attack” and play with the brush. Start brushing when they look like they are about to fall asleep.

4. Make Brushing a Positive Experience
This is a gradual process but works well for dogs that appear to have a fear of grooming brushes. The goal is to associate the brush with a positive experience by offering treats while they are being brushed. At a high-level, here is a step-by-step process of introducing a brush to the dog.

5. Treat Distraction Method
Similar to method #4 except you are distracting the dog by offering them a treat to lick while he is being brushed. You could offer something as simple as a peanut butter-coated spoon, or you could fill up a Kong toy with treats and let your dog have at it while he is being brushed.

Disclaimer: The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a veterinarian when in doubt.

Comments

  • Jane | 15/05/2019

    John, in a lot of occasions, it is not thought of how important the type of brush you use for pet grooming. I have found that the really good qualified dog groomers have a wide selection of brushes and use the one that suits that particular pet. Thanks for the article.

  • Ashley Johnson | 07/08/2019

    I liked that you said that one thing to consider when you need to keep up with the grooming of your pet is to make sure that they are comfortable with the use of a brush so that they will remain calm when getting their fur maintained. I have been thinking about getting a puppy but I have been worried that my puppy would have a difficult time getting groomed, resulting in a shaggy pet. I would be sure to introduce my puppy to a brush early on in their life so that the professional grooming process would go by smoothly.

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