Some dogs are perfectly happy to be held, have their nails clipped, be brushed or even visit the vet, while other dogs became stressed, uncomfortable or frightened.
A dogs behaviour is made up of many factors, including genetics, temperament, socialisation and previous experiences. For example, as a puppy, a harsh brush that scratched the skin was used or a nail was clipped too short causing it to bleed. These can be very painful experiences for puppies and often stay with the dog into adulthood often making future grooming or handling difficult.
Not all dogs are fearful because of a past experience. Some dogs simply don’t like being held still, having certain areas touched, like their paws, ears or face, or they may not like the feeling or sound of the brush or equipment being used.
Even if your dog is scared of certain grooming procedures or handling you can teach help them to become more comfortable through cooperative care training. This involves gradually building positive experiences and teaching your dog that they have some choice and control over hat happens to them, which then helps reduce fear, anxiety and stress.
Read our article on Cooperative Care, to learn more about how it can help your dog.