What to Do if Your Dog Hates Being Brushed

For some pet parents, brushing their dog is a bonding ritual. For others, it feels like a wrestling match. If your dog hates brushing, you’re not alone. Brushing anxiety is surprisingly common, especially in dogs that are sensitive, rescue-adopted, or unfamiliar with grooming routines.

But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can turn brushing from a battle into a calming experience. In this guide, we’ll explore why dogs develop brushing anxiety, and how to make grooming more comfortable—while also protecting their skin microbiome with microbiome-friendly products.

🐕 Why Some Dogs Dislike Brushing

Before jumping into solutions, it’s helpful to understand the “why” behind brushing resistance. Common reasons include:

• Negative past experiences (like painful mats being pulled)

• Sensitivity to touch in certain areas (like belly, tail, or paws)

• Fear of grooming tools or unfamiliar sensations

• Skin irritation or allergies that make brushing uncomfortable

• Lack of positive associations with grooming sessions

🧘♂️ How to Reduce Brushing Anxiety in Dogs

1. Start Slow & Keep Sessions Short

If your dog hates brushing, don’t go for full-body sessions right away. Start with 2–5 minute sessions in calm areas like the back or shoulders.

• Use treats during and after brushing.

• Stop before your dog gets too agitated.

• Gradually build up duration over time.

2. Desensitize with Positive Associations

Let your dog sniff and inspect the brush when you’re not grooming. Leave it near their bed or feeding area. Pair it with rewards or affection.

• You can also use counterconditioning: brush one stroke, then treat. Over time, brushing becomes associated with rewards—not stress.

3. Use the Right Brush for the Coat Type

Sometimes the problem lies in the wrong grooming tool. A brush that’s too harsh can pull at tangles or irritate sensitive skin.

🧴 Brushing Products That Help Reduce Discomfort

Brushing shouldn’t just be about detangling—it should nourish the skin too. Using a leave-in dog conditioner or detangling spray can reduce tugging and discomfort, especially in dogs with long or curly coats.

Look for products that:

• Are free from harsh chemicals

• Contain prebiotics and probiotics to support the skin microbiome

• Include natural oils like coconut or jojoba for slip and hydration

Our microbiome-friendly Dog Conditioner is specially formulated to keep your dog’s coat soft, shiny, and easy to brush—without irritating their skin.

🌿 Protecting the Skin Microbiome While Brushing

When your dog is anxious during grooming, they may scratch or lick excessively afterward. Harsh brushing can damage the skin barrier and disrupt the natural microbiome—leading to itching, inflammation, or infections.

Using prebiotic grooming products helps restore and protect this microbiome by nourishing the “good” bacteria that defend against harmful microbes.

🧠 Mental Tricks: Make Grooming Fun

• Turn it into a game: Hide treats under a towel and brush in between “find it” sessions.

• Use lick mats during brushing, especially if your dog is food-motivated.

• Brush after walks when your dog is more relaxed.

🚫 What NOT to Do If Your Dog Hates Brushing

• Don’t force your dog into it—it only builds more fear.

• Don’t brush mats aggressively—this causes pain and long-term aversion.

• Don’t use human brushes—they’re not designed for pet coats or skin.

• Avoid strong synthetic scents in grooming products—they can irritate sensitive noses and skin.

🐾 The Long-Term Payoff of Gentle Grooming

By investing a bit more time and patience upfront, brushing can go from anxiety-inducing to enjoyable. And when paired with wagwonders prebiotic dog care products, your grooming routine will do more than just detangle—it will actively strengthen your dog’s skin health from the outside in.