by Erin Bessey
besseyspositivepaws.com
I’m writing this month’s column based on what’s happening in my own home. My dog, Tripp, recently had a small lump removed from his front leg. Now he has to wear a bandage for three days, and it has to stay dry. That might not sound too hard until you remember that his favorite bathroom spot is in snow, the deeper the better.
There are lots of ways to keep a bandage dry, but all I had on hand was plastic wrap and a sock. And let me tell you, you don’t realize how many times a day you take your dog outside until you’re wrapping and unwrapping a leg over and over again. Luckily, Tripp is very patient and cooperative or this would get old fast.
Being able to handle your dog isn’t about using strength or forcing him to stay still. When I talk about “handling,” I mean things like trimming nails, cleaning ears, brushing, removing a tick, holding him gently when needed, and taking care of everyday grooming and also being prepared for unexpected situations.
A good habit to build is doing short, regular practice sessions with your dog. Touch the ears, pretend to put in ear drops, count toes without clipping nails, and ask him to hold still for just a moment. These tiny exercises help the dog learn that being handled is normal and safe.
Many clients tell me, “Oh, I touch his feet or ears while he’s sleeping. He’s fine with it.” And that’s great—but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve carried my sleeping child from the car to the bed, and the child never even knew it happened. Dogs are the same way. Touching them while they’re asleep may feel helpful, but it doesn’t teach them what it really feels like to have their nails trimmed or their ears cleaned while they’re awake. Short, calm practice sessions while your dog is alert will help him feel more comfortable when it really counts.
Just putting your hands on your dog and going through the motions isn’t enough. We want our dogs to enjoy being handled, not just tolerate it. The best way to make that happen is to pair the touch with something pleasant, like food.
If your dog is already unsure about being touched, start by giving the dog a treat at the exact same moment you touch the area he’s worried about. Pay close attention to how your dog feels. The goal is for him to stay comfortable and relaxed. Always move at the pace your dog can handle.
For example, when working on handling feet, you might begin by gently running your hand from your dog’s elbow down to his wrist, then giving a treat. Do that two or three times. If your dog stays calm, you can try lightly touching the foot for just one second, then reward again.
It may feel slow, but the slower you go, the faster your dog will truly learn to enjoy the handling.
Don’t forget to practice touching the areas that aren’t a problem, too. Every time you do this, it’s like putting a deposit into a bank account. You’re building a “reward history,” which means your dog learns that your hands on his body usually predict good things.
This becomes really important if something goes wrong someday. Maybe you trim a nail too short and hit the quick (the soft inner part of the nail that can bleed) or the groomer does. If you’ve built up lots of positive experiences, that little mistake is only a small withdrawal from the “bank.” You’re still in the green, and your dog is less likely to give you a hard time in the future.
But when we take a dog’s good behavior for granted and don’t practice handling, one accident, like hitting the quick, can put us in the red. Now we have to undo a bad experience and fixing that can take much longer than being proactive in the first place.
Whether you trim your dog’s nails and do his grooming yourself or rely on a professional, these small practice sessions will make a big difference. They help your dog feel more comfortable and confident at the vet, with the groomer, and even at home with you. And that comfort builds trust, which strengthens your relationship in everyday life.