Why won’t my dog let me brush it?

If your dog won’t allow you to brush it, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you a number of possible reasons why your dog has been doing it and what you can do about them.

So, why won’t my dog let me brush it? Common reasons why your dog won’t let you brush it are not being used to being brushed, you behave unusually and it confuses your dog, being full of energy, or the brush being painful.

There are a number of possible reasons why your dog might be doing it and it might even be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things to consider when figuring out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it.

Reasons why your dog won’t let you brush it

Below are a number of possible causes and what would make each of them more likely.

It is not used to you doing it

If you have only recently started trying to brush it, the cause could be that it is not used to you brushing it. This would be less likely if your dog has stopped letting you brush it suddenly. In this case, it could help to try distracting it while you brush it and to reward it when it shows signs of letting you brush it.

You’re acting unusually

It could also be the case that it is your behavior that is causing it to become reactive. If you are loud or make large movements when you try to brush your dog, it will likely cause your dog to get worried. Instead, it would help to try to be calm when you brush it.

It’s full of energy

Another possible causes is that it is full of energy and it is not in the mood to stay still. This would be more likely if your dog does let you brush it sometimes. In this case, it could help to try brushing it after giving it exercise.

The brush might be painful

Another possible cause could be that it finds the brush painful. This would be more likely if your dog has stopped letting you brush it since you started using a new brush.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your dog has been doing it.

If your dog has always not wanted to be brushed

If your dog has not always stopped you from brushing it, it would help to consider what else happened when it first stopped letting you do it. If it stopped doing it suddenly, it might be because you changed the brush or because it got a rash on its skin.

If it does let you do it sometimes

If your dog does let you do it sometimes, it would also help to consider what is different when it does let you do it. For example, if it does let you do it when it has just gotten exercise or when it is sleepy, it might be the case that it does not let you do it when it is feeling energetic.

What to do about your dog not letting you brush it

Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.

Exercise it first

It could help to give your dog exercise before you try to brush it. By giving it exercise first, it will be more likely to be willing to stay in one spot for a while.

Give it something to lick or be distracted by while you’re brushing it

Another option would be to give it something to be distracted by while you brush it. Things to give it might include a toy or something that it can lick.

Positive reinforcement training

Positive reinforcement training is where you encourage your dog to behave in a certain way by rewarding it when it shows signs of behaving that way. To use it to get your dog to let you brush it, you could reward it, with a treat, whenever it shows signs of allowing you to brush it and avoid rewarding it when it does not.