top of page

Body Handling

Help your puppy prepare for being touched at vet visits & for grooming

hand-2599052_1920_edited.jpg

About Body Handling

Puppies aren't born with the love of handling and restraint, so it's our responsibility to get them comfortable to prepare them for different types of handling by people, veterinarians and groomers. The exercises below will help your puppy learn that being handled, examined and groomed predict good things.

You will use treats in all of these exercises. The order of handling relative to when beginning and ending the flow of treats is important:

Puppy Graphic
handling order

If your puppy seems frightened at any time, back off and try something easier. If your puppy isn't improving or is getting worse - please call right away.

9.png

With treats hidden, begin handling

10.png

Then, bring out treats & start feeding

11.png

Stop handling, then stop feeding treats

Paws, Toes & Nails

  • Pick up your puppy’s paws, & look between toes as if checking for foxtails; don’t forget the back paws

  • Hold you puppy’s paw & touch the nail clipper or nail file to his toenails

  • Clip or file toenails; give a treat after each nail

Ears

  • Look inside each of your puppy’s ears & gently clean each with a tissue

  • Use a small bottle to pretend to put medicine into your puppy’s ears (leave the cap on)

Mouth & Teeth

  • Place a hand over your puppy’s muzzle & briefly lift your puppy’s lips to look at his teeth

  • Rub your finger along your puppy’s teeth and gum line

  • Start short bouts of toothbrushing (2-3 seconds) using pet tooth paste, followed by a special treat

Hugging & Restraint

  • Hold your puppy against you gently for 2-3s, then start feeding treats

  • Restrain more firmly & for slowly increasing periods, as long as your puppy is comfortable

Bathing & Grooming

  • Put your puppy in the (dry) bathtub, on a towel or mat; have a treat party or play with favorite toys in the tub

  • Add a little water to the tub & let your puppy explore

  • Slowly introduce you puppy to bathing by pouring small amounts of water over him, followed by treats

  • Brush your puppy, giving treats every few brush strokes

Chihuahua Bath

Following handling with treats isn’t just for puppies. To keep you dog happy with invasive handling as an adult, make sure grooming & veterinary procedures are always followed by treats.

Content adapted from: Kelly Lee's DogKind, a fellow graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers in Davis, California.

bottom of page