The Modern Guide to Grooming and Handling
Calm brushing, nails, baths and vet visits
Every dog needs to be brushed, checked, bathed and examined at some point, and for many dogs those moments are a struggle. They wriggle at the brush, hide from the clippers or have to be held down at the vet. It doesn't have to be like that. With slow, kind practice at home, most dogs can learn to be calm about handling, and even enjoy it.
This guide explains cooperative care, the approach good vets, groomers and zoos use, and shows you how to read your dog, set up for success and make touch feel good. It teaches your dog a start signal, like a chin rest, so they can tell you when they're ready, then takes you step by step through brushing, nails, ears, eyes, teeth, baths, the groomer and the vet, with help for puppies, older dogs and nervous dogs.
I've been training dogs for over 30 years, and I wrote this the way I'd explain it if we were sat at your kitchen table together.
What's inside
A "What's the problem?" finder that points you to the right chapter
Why handling matters, and why holding a dog down backfires
Reading your dog: relaxed signs, early worry signs, stop signs and the consent test
Setting up: a calm space, a grooming mat, the right time and introducing tools
First touches: touch then treat, a body map, paws, ears, mouth and gentle restraint
Giving your dog a say with the chin rest and other start signals
Brushing and coat care for every coat type, including mats and moulting
Nail care: clippers, grinders, the quick, one nail a day and the scratch board
Ears, eyes and teeth, plus giving tablets and drops
Baths, drying, the groomer, the vet, muzzle training and medication
Help for puppies, older dogs, nervous and rescue dogs, and a weekly routine
Pages to print and keep
A handling tracker for every part of the body
A weekly grooming plan
A body check record to show your vet
A quick-reference page with the rules
Why this guide is different
It gives your dog a say, so they don't need to struggle to be heard
It never uses holding down, telling off or punishing a growl
It builds up through the body first, so tricky jobs like nails get easier
It has realistic options, like one nail a day and the scratch board
It's built on games plus structure, with reward-based training and no punishment
Who it's for
Families with a puppy who's new to handling, a dog who struggles with grooming, nail trims or vet visits, an older dog who needs gentler care, or a nervous rescue. It works for any breed and any coat.
What you get
A 60-page PDF and an EPUB in one ZIP file, emailed to you straight after checkout. Read it on your phone, tablet, e-reader or computer, and print the pages at the back.
