What are handling exercises, and why might they be useful?
Handling exercises are training lessons designed to help puppies relax and cooperate when being touched and handled. Your puppy will need to be handled for medical care as well as basic day-to-day care at home. Handling exercises help ensure your puppy will be comfortable when receiving this necessary care.
Handling sessions can be designed to acclimate your puppy to a wide range of anticipated manipulations, including being brushed, bathed, and examined by a veterinarian. During these sessions, puppies develop a positive association with being handled as these manipulations are paired with tasty treats.
Handling sessions should be short and fun. Limit the number of repetitions in a session and be sure your puppy is eagerly but calmly eating treats as you practice.
Do not proceed with any handling if you notice your puppy is frightened. It is essential to be able to identify subtle signs of distress. If your puppy demonstrates any of the following behaviors, it’s a sign they are not comfortable with the level of training:
- Squirms or struggles to get away
- Cowers or shows the whites of the eyes
- Whines or cries
- Mouths, nips, or tries to bite
- Leans away, turns away, or moves away
- Takes treats roughly or excitedly
- Stops taking treats
- Moves away or tries to hide when approached for a handling session (e.g., when he sees equipment like a harness or brush)
The structure of a handling program is as follows:
- Create a handling goal for each session.
- Break the goal into many small steps that are easy to introduce.
- Adjust your pace so your puppy does not feel afraid or anxious.
- Pair each baby step of the handling plan with something your puppy loves, such as treats and attention. Learn what your puppy loves!
- Eventually, reach the goal of your puppy or even looking forward to the handling experience.
For example, to help a puppy enjoy being brushed, first let your puppy nibble some snacks, and then touch him with the soft (back) side of the brush. Repeat two to three times, then end the session. You can have another short session later that day. If your puppy tolerates the back side of the brush well, and continues to eat happily, you can try touching him with the bristled side of the brush.
However, if your puppy stops eating treats, take a break, play with your puppy, and then either upgrade to better treats or practice with something softer than a brush, such as a mitten or soft cloth. Always end on a positive note, with your puppy eating the snacks. A sign that you are progressing at a good pace is if your puppy runs to you when you take out the brush — this tells you he is eager to participate.
While the basic process is the same for all, the amount of time needed for each step varies. Each puppy needs a personalized approach. Take your time. If your puppy struggles or shows signs of distress, make the manipulation easier.
Should I practice handling exercises in a specific location?
It can be helpful to set up a workstation for handling exercises. Using a specific location allows your puppy to predict that you plan to do some manipulation (brushing, checking for ticks, applying topical medication) and that he can expect a reward for calm cooperation. Be sure to use a surface that provides traction for your puppy. A rubber-topped grooming table is an ideal handling station, but you can also use a non-slip mat or yoga mat.
What other equipment do I need for handling exercises?
You will need tasty treats. It can be helpful to use treats that can be licked so they last longer (e.g., baby food, canned puppy food). These soft treats can be placed on a spoon or lick mat or put into a Kong or squeeze tube for easy dispensing. It is also helpful to have an assistant for handling exercises. One person can feed the puppy while the other does the handling.
What is the first type of handling to practice?
Many manipulations require a puppy to remain still, so it is helpful to teach a puppy to tolerate gentle restraint. Though puppies can eventually be taught to stand still to earn treats, there may be an occasion where a person, such as a veterinary assistant, will need to gently hug your puppy or place a hand on your puppy’s collar to prevent him from moving away.
To get started, lure your puppy onto the workstation. If you use a grooming table, you must lift your puppy onto the table and begin to feed some treats. If you don’t have a helper, present your puppy with the soft food and let your puppy start licking. At that point, you should immediately begin treating your puppy, without adding any other handling. Your puppy will quickly learn that the workstation is a place to get snacks.
When your puppy consistently and immediately relaxes and takes treats when placed on the table, you can move on to the next step. While your puppy is busy eating, gently place one arm around her to prevent her from walking away. Squeeze very gently, then as soon as you end the brief hug, withdraw the treats. If you have a helper, ask them to stop feeding.
The goal is to associate manipulation with something positive. In this case, the start of the touch is the on-switch for treats, and the stop of touch is the off-switch for treats. Repeat this exercise several times until the puppy starts to look for food when you reach toward them, which means they anticipate something nice when you reach toward them — a good thing for handling.
Gradually increase the pressure of your hug, perhaps add a second arm to stabilize the puppy further, and even practice lifting the pup slightly off the ground. Keep the treats within easy reach of the puppy’s nose, so he stays in one place. The treats need to follow the puppy’s nose up if you lift the puppy.
Note: If your puppy stops eating when you touch him, or if he snarls or growls, do not continue. Instead, consult with a professional such as a veterinary behaviorist, as you will need to use a modified strategy.
What other kinds of handling should my puppy learn to accept?
Consider the types of situations your puppy might encounter as an adult dog. Ideally, every puppy should be exposed to handling that prepares them for the following situations:
- Basic husbandry. Your puppy can learn to tolerate a brush, a towel wipe, teeth brushing, and nail trimming.
- Home medical care. Your puppy can learn to receive oral medication and eye and ear drops.
- Veterinary examinations and injections. It can be helpful to teach your puppy to wear a basket muzzle and an Elizabethan collar (E-collar), as these devices are sometimes needed.
- Clothing and gear. Your puppy can learn to wear collars, harnesses, and protective gear like coats and boots.
- Grooming. Your puppy can learn to be calm and enjoy visiting a professional groomer.
When should I start puppy handling exercises?
You can introduce handling exercises as soon as your puppy is comfortable in your home. In fact, you will probably begin teaching your puppy that some handling is safe and yields rewards even without trying. You probably already taught your puppy that standing still to have a leash or harness applied will bring an opportunity to get outside to play.
Choose a time when your puppy is interested but calm. After a meal or after a nap may be a good time to work with your puppy. Avoid practicing handling exercises when your puppy is feeling super active or wants a big game of vigorous play. Trying to do calm handling exercises with a highly excited puppy will frustrate everyone involved.
What if my puppy is wiggly?
Remember: Dogs do what works. If puppies learn early that wiggling means you let go, you may accidentally teach them to be very wiggly instead of being still. If your puppy is showing some minor wiggling, start by waiting three to five seconds without moving your hands away. When your puppy stops wiggling, loosen your hands.
If your puppy doesn’t calm down after three to five seconds, and instead is more wiggly or distressed, end the session and try again later with a lower intensity style of handling before working up to more snug handling and restraint. If your puppy shows significant signs of stress, they need a more detailed handling plan from an expert. Seek professional guidance as soon as possible to help your puppy become more comfortable with handling.
What if my puppy stands like a statue and won’t take treats?
If your puppy is normally active and loves treats but stands like a statue and will not eat treats while you’re doing handling exercises, it is a sign your puppy is stressed. First, try making the handling a little easier. If your puppy still will not eat, end the session and consult with a professional who can design a modified training plan.
What if my puppy yelps, growls, nips, or hides?
Hiding, yelping, growling, and nipping are signs of extreme distress. Handling lessons should be discontinued as puppies in extreme distress are at risk of developing a permanent fear of being handled. Seek guidance from an experienced professional to help you get your puppy more comfortable with the needed handling exercises. Never punish or scold your puppy for this behavior.
What about scary things like nail trimming?
Nail trims are scary for many dogs. The nails are a sensitive body part. In addition, many people are worried that they might cut a nail too short and cause pain or bleeding. A nail grinder is an option to consider. A puppy needs many skills to quietly accept nail care. Your puppy can learn to:
- Hold still
- Form a positive association with the sight of the nail clippers or grinder
- Accept having a paw and nail held still
- Accept the sound of the clippers or grinder
- Accept having a nail touched by the equipment without the sound
- Accept all these things put together
Break down the nail care process into these small parts and practice each part until the dog is ready to do the entire sequence. This process usually takes a few weeks or even months to achieve. Don’t rush it. Observe your puppy’s body language to determine when your puppy is ready to advance to a more difficult step.
