Brushes For Sensitive Dogs
Jun 12, 2023
Do you have a touch-sensitive dog who needs to be brushed, but hates it? Or maybe you're just starting to think about training your dog to be comfortable being brushed. Either way, you'll want to choose which brushes you use carefully.
Here are four implements that you can use in your training to slowly introduce brushing to your dog.
Brush #1: Your Hand
Practice stroking your dog with your hand, the way that you plan to brush them. If your dog can't tolerate being petted everywhere you need to brush them, they're not ready for you to use a brush on them. Instead, work on training your dog to be comfortable with touch. Check out these blogs on training for dogs who don't like hands reaching overhead, and dogs who don't yet tolerate much if any touch at all.
Brush #2: Grooming Glove
If you can pet your dog everywhere you need to brush them, then an easy first brush to try could be a grooming glove. These are gloves that have little rubber bristles on the palm. It might not be a very effective grooming tool depending on your dog's fur type, but it is a way to introduce just a little bit of the feel of brushing.
If your dog's hair is longer and likely to tangle on the little rubber bristles, consider using just a regular winter glove instead. It will still feel and look differently than your hand.
Brush #3: The Smooth Back Of A Brush
Part of what can be scary about being brushed for dogs is that you're trying to touch them with an object you're holding. "Brushing" them with a smooth surface, like the back of a brush, can be a good introduction to touching them with an implement.
Brush #4: A Brush With Short Soft Bristles
Finally, you're ready to try actual brushing! Don't ruin all of your careful training by jumping right to using to a brush with stiff, prickly bristles. There are many brushes you can try that have very soft bristles- even rubber bristles. My dogs like the Zoom Groom. Choose something that isn't likely to tangle and pull your dog's hair.
If you found these tips helpful, or if you have important pointers that have helped you, we'd like to hear from you! You can comment below this blog, shoot us an email ([email protected]), or message us on Facebook or Instagram.
