Does Your Dog Hate Being Brushed? How to Turn It Around
You pick up the brush… and your dog disappears. Suddenly, they’re under the table, behind the sofa, or just out of reach, with a worried look.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many dogs resist grooming—not because they’re being difficult, but because it doesn’t feel good or doesn’t make sense to them yet.
Dogs need control over their bodies. Brushing can feel restrictive, especially if it comes out of nowhere or goes on too long. If there’s been a bad experience in the past—pulling through a tangle, for example—they remember that. For long-haired dogs in particular, it’s easy to accidentally teach them that brushing hurts.
So the goal shifts. You’re not trying to “get through a brushing session.” You’re showing your dog that this is something they can tolerate, and eventually relax into.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many dogs resist grooming—not because they’re being difficult, but because it doesn’t feel good or doesn’t make sense to them yet.
Dogs need control over their bodies. Brushing can feel restrictive, especially if it comes out of nowhere or goes on too long. If there’s been a bad experience in the past—pulling through a tangle, for example—they remember that. For long-haired dogs in particular, it’s easy to accidentally teach them that brushing hurts.
So the goal shifts. You’re not trying to “get through a brushing session.” You’re showing your dog that this is something they can tolerate, and eventually relax into.
Start with a Yes
If your dog enjoys being petted, that’s your opening. Grooming gloves work well here because they don’t feel like a tool—they feel like touch.
The ones with five fingers are especially useful. You can use your whole hand for a broad stroke, or just one or two fingers for smaller areas like behind the ears. That flexibility matters more than it seems.
The ones with five fingers are especially useful. You can use your whole hand for a broad stroke, or just one or two fingers for smaller areas like behind the ears. That flexibility matters more than it seems.
Keep it light, keep it brief
Before you use the gloves, make them familiar. Rub them on your dog’s blanket or bed so they smells right, then put one on and let your dog check it out.
Some dogs will sniff and move on. Others will lean in. Either response is fine.
When you start, use the back of your hand first—the smooth side of the glove. No nubs yet. Just a few seconds of contact, then stop. It should feel like a normal interaction, not the start of a procedure.
Slow helps. Light helps. Brief helps more than anything.
Some dogs will sniff and move on. Others will lean in. Either response is fine.
When you start, use the back of your hand first—the smooth side of the glove. No nubs yet. Just a few seconds of contact, then stop. It should feel like a normal interaction, not the start of a procedure.
Slow helps. Light helps. Brief helps more than anything.
End early, win later
Treats do a lot of work here. Give one before you start, a few during, and one at the end.
Then stop.
That’s the part people tend to skip, but it’s what makes the next session easier. If the dog is still comfortable when you finish, they’re less likely to avoid you next time.
Come back to it the next day and do the same thing. Short, predictable, uneventful.
One dog I’ve cared for over the years is Marco. He’s not a fan of being brushed—and he’s pretty clear about that. But he’s also made an important connection: brushing means treats.
So Marco makes a deal. He’ll stand there and tolerate it, because he knows there’ll be a tasty payoff.
Then stop.
That’s the part people tend to skip, but it’s what makes the next session easier. If the dog is still comfortable when you finish, they’re less likely to avoid you next time.
Come back to it the next day and do the same thing. Short, predictable, uneventful.
One dog I’ve cared for over the years is Marco. He’s not a fan of being brushed—and he’s pretty clear about that. But he’s also made an important connection: brushing means treats.
So Marco makes a deal. He’ll stand there and tolerate it, because he knows there’ll be a tasty payoff.
Make it easy to stay
Timing matters. A lot.
Pick a quiet moment when nothing else is going on. Sit in a chair and let your dog stand next to you instead of holding them in place. That way they can leave if they want to.
Counterintuitively, that freedom often makes them stay. When a dog doesn’t feel cornered, they’re more willing to participate.
If you have another pet who enjoys grooming, let your dog watch a session or two. Dogs understand these things. A calm example, plus a few treats, can go a long way.
Pick a quiet moment when nothing else is going on. Sit in a chair and let your dog stand next to you instead of holding them in place. That way they can leave if they want to.
Counterintuitively, that freedom often makes them stay. When a dog doesn’t feel cornered, they’re more willing to participate.
If you have another pet who enjoys grooming, let your dog watch a session or two. Dogs understand these things. A calm example, plus a few treats, can go a long way.
Untangling the problem
Mats change the equation. A tight tangle pulls on the skin, so even gentle grooming can feel sharp.
If you run into that, work around it at first.
You can come back to the tangle later, or use your fingers to slowly loosen it in very short sessions. If your dog has a longer coat, my step-by-step guide to brushing a long-haired dog can help you handle these areas more easily.
For heavier matting, a professional groomer is usually the better option. It’s quicker, and often kinder.
If you run into that, work around it at first.
You can come back to the tangle later, or use your fingers to slowly loosen it in very short sessions. If your dog has a longer coat, my step-by-step guide to brushing a long-haired dog can help you handle these areas more easily.
For heavier matting, a professional groomer is usually the better option. It’s quicker, and often kinder.
Don’t rush the brush
Once the gloves are accepted, you can start introducing a brush. Not all at once.
Rub it on your dog's blanket or bed, then let your dog see it and sniff it. You can even hold it while using a glove so it becomes part of the picture without doing anything yet.
When you do use it, keep it minimal. One or two strokes, then back to the glove or your hand. You’re layering it in, not switching over.
Rub it on your dog's blanket or bed, then let your dog see it and sniff it. You can even hold it while using a glove so it becomes part of the picture without doing anything yet.
When you do use it, keep it minimal. One or two strokes, then back to the glove or your hand. You’re layering it in, not switching over.
Two sides, gentle first
A good beginner brush has two sides: soft bristles and wire bristles. The image above shows one.
Start with the soft side to gently remove loose fur and help your dog get used to the feeling.
Once your dog is comfortable with the soft side, try the wire side—one stroke to start, then go back to the soft side. Gradually add a couple more wire strokes each session. Move slowly and watch your dog’s reactions.
Start with the soft side to gently remove loose fur and help your dog get used to the feeling.
Once your dog is comfortable with the soft side, try the wire side—one stroke to start, then go back to the soft side. Gradually add a couple more wire strokes each session. Move slowly and watch your dog’s reactions.
Make the next Yes easier
A long session doesn’t help if the dog dreads the next one.
Short sessions that end well—that’s what adds up. Over time, the dog stops avoiding, then starts tolerating, and sometimes even leans into it.
That’s the shift you’re looking for. Good pup.
Short sessions that end well—that’s what adds up. Over time, the dog stops avoiding, then starts tolerating, and sometimes even leans into it.
That’s the shift you’re looking for. Good pup.
