If he's biting when he's being brushed, then it's likely because he doesn't enjoy brushing, he's fearful of the brush, or he's been abused before. Though there could be other reasons your dog is upset and bites during brushing, you can retrain him to be tolerant and well-mannered during brushing.
If your dog is biting while being brushed, it may be because they don't enjoy brushing, they're scared, or have been abused. It's also possible that your beloved pup may have had a bad grooming experience before.
Use a gentle brushing technique.
You never want to pull at mats or tangles in their fur, because this can tug on the root, pull at their skin, and cause them pain. Train your dog to enjoy brushing by offering praise and treats when he sits still to let you brush him.
Many dogs simply tolerate patting but don't enjoy it, and many dogs find human touch to be scary or awful. And when something is scary or awful, the polite canine way for a dog to make this clear to the world is by a growl, a snarl, a snap, or an inhibited bite. Yes, you read that right.
Begin by gently touching the dog with the brush, while giving them praise and lots of treats. Don't hold your dog or force them to keep still. Make sure to allow them to walk away if they feel uncomfortable. The first touches should be calm, short and on a non-sensitive area of the body.
Focus your brushing on small areas, one area at a time. Use one hand to brush and the other hand to treat your dog while brushing. For instance, brush down your dog's neck with one hand while giving him a treat with the other hand. Watch both hands so your dog does not bite.
If your little dog bites or snaps at your or the brush, you'll need to redirect his behavior. Avoid yelling or being too stern as this will be counterproductive. Give him a short break and a treat then let him sniff the brush again. Be sure to keep his puzzle toy filled and engaging.
Is It Playful Mouthing or Aggressive Behavior? Most mouthing is normal dog behavior. But some dogs bite out of fear or frustration, and this type of biting can indicate problems with aggression. It's sometimes difficult to tell the difference between normal play mouthing and mouthing that precedes aggressive behavior.
“If your pet is play-biting (or pulling at you for attention), then he'll do it because he's having fun with you, and it's a sign of affection,” explains Dr. Nelson. “He will look happy, bite gently, and may even be lying down.” If you see these 11 behaviors, your dog might need obedience training.
1. Calmly remove your dog from the situation. No scolding, no yelling, and no physical punishment. Gently take hold of her collar, lead her to a quiet room away from the action, and leave her there with a bowl of water and a chew toy.
Gradually introduce a soft bristled doggy-friendly toothbrush. Use the toothbrush for only a few moments then give a treat, and intersperse with using finger and gauze. As your dog begins to accept the toothbrush, switch to using the brush more and more and add doggy toothpaste.
Regular grooming relaxes the dog who's used to it, and it becomes a special time that you can both share. A coat free of mats, burrs and tangles and skin free of fleas and ticks are as comfortable to your dog as fresh, clean clothes are to you. It makes you feel good, and the effect is the same for your pet.
Dogs have long memories for things that have hurt them or scared them in the past, and if they associate those feelings with the shape of a brush, they know to stay away. For some reason they are feeling fear, anxiety or stress connected to the experience of being brushed.
Use positive reinforcements:
If your dog becomes reactive when you brush his coat, for example, try to start by pulling the brush out and showing it to your dog without approaching him. If he stays calm, great! Praise and reward him. If the mere sight of the brush triggers reactive behavior, backtrack.
Nearly all nipping is your puppy's way of getting your attention and trying to engage you in play. If you ever watch puppies or dogs play, you'll notice that most of them naturally “play fight.” They chase, tackle, wrestle, and chew on each other.
But although it may seem like your dog is biting you aggressively or showing other aggressive behaviors out of the blue, most dogs only exhibit aggressive behavior for one of five basic reasons: Your dog is ill, frightened, possessive, showing dominance, or frustrated.
Don't use too much pressure so that it hurts your dog's skin; instead, apply firm strokes that will help remove dead hairs. Then use a shedding blade to grab dead hairs all over the coat. Shedding blades are an excellent way to help reduce shedding and prevent mats.
You should brush your dog every couple of days no matter the length of his coat. Sometimes your brushing can have a specific purpose, such as removing hair mats or helping your dog shed his seasonal coat, but most often you'll be doing general-purpose brushing or combing. Choose the right brush.
DON'T brush damp fur
Because brushing your dog when his hair is wet can be quite painful, while also creating more tangles and knots. That's why you should always brush dogs before you bathe them and then just let it all dry naturally afterward.
Stop brushing when you can no longer pinch out a tuft of hair, says Bird. Avoid brush burn. Your precious pooch and feline friend need gentle care. Don't press the bristles of any brush hard against your pet's tender skin or tug at knots or tangles.
Removes Dead Skin and Dirt
If you don't groom your dog, dead skin and dirt are going to pile up on their coat. When you brush your dog, you're not only helping keep their coat healthy and glossy, you're also helping remove dead skin and dirt as well as dead fur and dandruff.