Why Your Dog Hates Being Brushed (and 7 Ways to Help)

If your dog runs the second the brush comes out, you are not alone. Brushing is one of the most common grooming fights pet parents tell us about.

We started Freshly Bailey because keeping our doodle Bailey's coat healthy and free of mats was a real struggle. We learned that most brushing battles have a cause you can fix. Once you find it, brushing can go from a fight to something your dog barely notices, or even enjoys.

Why does my dog hate being brushed?

According to the American Kennel Club, most dogs that fight the brush are reacting to pain, fear or a bad memory. Here are the five most common reasons.

1. Mats and tangles hurt. When a brush catches on a knot, it pulls on the skin. After a few of those pulls, your dog learns that the brush means pain.
2. The brush is too harsh. Stiff or sharp bristles, or pressing down too hard, can scratch sensitive skin.
3. A bad past experience. Dogs remember things that scared or hurt them, like a rough grooming visit or a brush that pulled.
4. Too much, too soon. Long sessions are hard for young, high-energy or nervous dogs. They want to move, so they fight to get away.
5. Hidden pain. Sore joints, an ear infection or a skin problem can make brushing hurt in one spot, even with a gentle brush.

7 ways to help your dog like brushing

1. Work out mats first, gently

If your dog has mats, start there, because they are often the reason brushing hurts. Hold the fur at the base, close to the skin, so you are not pulling on your dog. Then use short, gentle strokes from the end of the mat toward the skin. The 9-tooth side of our Dematting Comb & Deshedding Tool is made for this. Work on one mat at a time, and stop if your dog is getting upset. You can finish another day.

If a mat is tight against the skin, do not try to force it out. Ask a groomer to cut it out safely.

2. Switch to a gentler brush

The right brush makes a big difference. A rubber brush feels like a massage, so it is a great place to start with a nervous dog. A slicker brush with coated tips is gentle on the skin and still removes loose hair and small tangles.

3. Mist with detangler spray before you brush

A light mist of detangling spray helps the brush glide instead of catch. Less pulling means less pain, and less reason for your dog to run. You can brush a dry coat or a damp one. Just never bathe a matted coat before you brush out the mats, because water makes mats tighter.

4. Keep sessions short

Start with a few strokes, then stop while your dog is still calm. A one-minute session that ends well does more than a 20-minute fight. Add a little more time every few days.

5. Use treats and a distraction

Give a small treat after a few strokes so your dog connects the brush with something good. A lick mat or a treat-filled puzzle toy can keep your dog busy while you brush.

6. Brush after a walk or play time

A tired dog sits still more easily. Try brushing after a long walk or a good game of fetch, not when your dog is full of energy.

7. Start with easy spots and go light

Begin where your dog likes to be touched, like the back and shoulders. Save the legs, belly, tail and ears for later sessions. Brush in the direction the hair grows, and let the brush do the work. You do not need to press down.

The tools we recommend for dogs that hate brushing

A quick note: we make these tools, so we are biased. Here is why we recommend each one for nervous dogs.

Pet Rubber Wet & Dry Brush

Soft rubber tips loosen shedding hair and feel like a massage, so it is the easiest brush to start with. It works on a dry coat and in the bath. It is best for short and medium coats.

"I have two small Boston terriers. One is chill and the other is skiddish about things and has not liked being brushed. This brush has weight to it, and the bristles are not sharp, making it a massage experience for my pups. Even the skittish one stays still and closes her eyes, enjoying the brushing."

Review by jtemcio

Self Cleaning Slicker Brush

This is our top pick for dogs that are new to brushing or do not like it. The coated pins are gentle on the skin and still reach loose hair and small tangles. It works best on short to medium coats. For thick, curly doodle coats, our long pin Slicker Brush for Goldendoodles reaches deeper.

Tip: press the cleaning button after you finish and away from your dog, so the click does not startle a nervous pup.

Doodle Detangler Spray

A leave-in conditioner made for curly coats. A light mist before brushing helps the brush slide through tangles instead of pulling.

Dematting Comb & Deshedding Tool

If mats are the reason your dog hates the brush, this is the tool that fixes the root problem. Use the 9-tooth side with short strokes to break up mats, and the 17-tooth side to remove loose undercoat.

A 5-minute brushing routine for nervous dogs

1. Pick a calm time, like after a walk. Put a towel or your dog's bed on the floor.
2. Let your dog sniff the brush, then give a treat.
3. Mist the coat lightly with detangler spray.
4. Brush the back and shoulders for a minute with gentle strokes. Treat every few strokes.
5. Check for mats with your fingers or a metal comb. Work on one small mat at most, then stop.
6. End on a good note with praise and one last treat. Try one new area next time.

When to call your vet or a trainer

If your dog growls, snaps or bites, or always flinches when you touch one spot, stop brushing that area. Ask your vet to check for pain, like sore joints, an ear infection or a skin problem. For fear or biting with no medical cause, a positive-reinforcement trainer or a groomer who works with fearful dogs can help.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I brush a dog that hates brushing?

Start with one to two minutes, or even a few strokes. Stop while your dog is still calm, and add a little time every few days.

Is a slicker brush bad for dogs that hate brushing?

Not if you use a gentle one and a light touch. A slicker with coated pins, like our Self Cleaning Slicker Brush, is gentle on the skin. Problems usually come from pressing too hard or brushing over mats.

Can I brush my dog when the coat is wet?

Yes. You can brush a wet or dry coat, and a light mist of detangler spray before brushing makes it easier. Just brush out mats before a bath, because water makes mats tighter.

My dog bites the brush. What should I do?

Give your dog something better to chew on, like a lick mat or a chew toy, while you brush. Keep sessions very short and reward calm behavior. If biting is aimed at you, talk to a trainer.

Will my dog ever like being brushed?

Many dogs do, once brushing stops hurting and starts coming with treats. Go slow, use a gentle tool, and keep every session short and positive.

Brushing does not have to be a fight. Fix what hurts, keep it short, and make it worth your dog's while. Small, calm sessions add up, and before long your dog may be the one asking for a brush.