Dear Critter Corner: Our new puppy is going to require grooming throughout their lifetime. We would like to get a head start on handling, so that he is comfortable with the process in the future. Do you have any tips you can give us?
It is great to hear that you are getting a head start on acclimating your pup to the entire grooming process! There are a few simple steps you can take to help your pup get the head start you are looking for.
Teaching them to rest their chin in your open hand is great for dogs that will need to have their faces groomed or eyes cleaned. You can start by holding your cupped hand out by your dog’s face and placing a treat on the other side for them to lean over to get. You can reinforce the behavior once your pup has placed their head over your hand and possibly resting in your open hand.
Teaching a treatment station is another great way to help your dog have choice in the process. Start by placing a towel or having a specific spot you will be doing the work at. A movable station is preferred so that you can bring it to the vet’s if needed. Start building the foundation so that when they are on the spot, good things happen, and if they step off, everything stops and does not start until they are on the spot again. Once your pup is eagerly getting on to the station when it is presented, you can then start to introduce an activity they may find unpleasant, such as brushing. You would introduce the brush, do one or two strokes, and then reinforce with a treat. Repeat the process until the dog either steps off the spot or you have completed the training session or task. Over time, they will understand that they have a choice and that the process is not as scary as they may have initially thought.
If your pup is struggling with a particular exercise, try to break it down into easier steps, or cut the sessions down to ones that your pup is willing to be a part of.
Tasha Suda is the Lead Dog Trainer for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Behavior Department. For more information, please visit www.phs-spca.org, call 650-340-7022 x314 or email tsuda@phs-spca.org.