To check you can touch and brush your dog all over
Do you hate going to the dentist?
I do.
It’s not as if anything too awful has happened to me there. I just hate the feeling of my mouth being stretched open and someone else fiddling around doing things which are unpleasant. I’m not in control and I don’t like that. Even though I know it’s good for me, it doesn’t help my dislike and, yes, fear.
Most dogs feel like that about visits to the vet.
Let’s face it, most dogs only go once a year. They have a needle stuck in their neck, are fiddled with, touched and pulled by an unknown person, and have strange looking instruments pressed against or near their bodies.
And we can’t explain to them that it’s good for them.
It’s the same with a lot of dogs and groomers.
So training your dog to be happy to be touched and handed all over, including being brushed and combed and having nails clipped, is really important for their mental health.
For today’s challenge, go back and read your Perfect Pet course manual and revise the handling games.
Make sure you can:
– grab and pull at your dog’s collar
– check his ears, eyes, and mouth
– feel all over his body
– lift each leg and check each paw, including between the toes
– check your dog’s genital area and tail
Can you also:
– lift the fold of skin at his neck and poke it
– use a hand held object like a mobile phone to pass around his neck and shoulder area
– lift his head and touch his nose
– restrain him by holding his body tightly against you?
Can you do all these things AND your dog remains relaxed and happy? That’s the aim.
If one or some of these things make him worried or unhappy, then take your time to train him slowly and carefully to cope.
We’re not expecting brilliance in everything, but we do except you to have a plan to help your dog cope better with vet and groomer visits in future.
Keep training,
Carol