My Advice as Your Breeder: Teach Your Puppy to Enjoy Being Handled

Those adorable little paws will eventually need a nail trim—and your puppy may have a few thoughts about that.

When you bring your puppy home, you’ll have plenty to think about: house-training, learning their name, meeting new people, exploring the world, and keeping your tiny bundle of joy from turning the living room into a crime scene.

But there’s one important lesson I encourage every new puppy owner to begin early: teach your puppy to feel comfortable being handled.

It may not seem as exciting as teaching a puppy to sit or come when called, but it is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them. Throughout their life, your dog will need their ears checked, teeth examined, paws cleaned, nails trimmed, coat brushed, and body examined by a veterinarian. The more positively you introduce these experiences now, the easier they can become later.

Believe me, teaching a puppy to accept a paw inspection is considerably easier than negotiating with a strong adult dog who has decided that feet are strictly off-limits.

1. First, discover what your puppy enjoys

Before you begin checking ears and counting toes, take time to learn how your puppy likes to be touched.

Some puppies love a gentle chest rub. Others prefer a shoulder scratch or a slow massage along their back. Many enjoy a good rump scratch but regard a hand reaching over their head as a suspicious human manoeuvre.

Just like us, dogs have preferences. And while we humans may consider enthusiastic patting an expression of affection, our puppies may have a different opinion.

Watch your puppy’s body language. Do they lean into your hand, relax, or come back for more? Or do they turn away, stiffen, pull back, or try to leave?

Start with slow, gentle, predictable strokes. If your puppy moves away, give them space. We want them to learn that your hands bring comfort and good things—not that they need to escape before the cuddling begins.

I also encourage you to show family members and visitors how your puppy enjoys being touched. A little guidance now can help everyone build a positive relationship with your new family member.

And remember: being irresistibly cute does not mean your puppy needs to be picked up 47 times a day. Allow them to approach you when possible, and make being lifted a calm, positive experience. Some puppies need a little time to discover that being in human arms is actually quite pleasant.

2. Make handling a relaxing daily routine

Once you know what your puppy enjoys, begin introducing new types of touch during a quiet, relaxed moment.

Perhaps your puppy is getting sleepy beside you in the evening. Start with their favourite massage or gentle petting. Once they are comfortable, briefly touch an ear, then return to the familiar massage.

That’s it. One little ear touch. No need to inspect the entire puppy before the next commercial break.

If your puppy remains relaxed, gradually increase the duration over several sessions. Eventually, you can work towards gently lifting the ear flap and taking a quick look.

Use the same gradual approach with paws, toes, nails, the mouth, teeth, and the area around the eyes.

The important thing is to introduce just a little new handling at a time, surrounded by experiences your puppy already enjoys.

If your puppy pulls away, freezes, turns their head, or tries to leave, make the next attempt easier or take a break. You are not trying to complete a full veterinary examination before bedtime. You are helping your puppy learn that these unfamiliar human activities are safe and predictable.

Here are a few places to begin:

• Paws: Start by gently touching a leg, then briefly touch a paw. Gradually work towards holding it, touching individual toes, and examining the pads and nails.

• Ears: Begin with a gentle touch to the outside of the ear. Later, practise lifting the ear flap for a quick look. Never put anything into the ear canal unless your veterinarian instructs you to do so.

• Mouth and teeth: Start by touching the side of the muzzle, then gradually practise lifting the lip and looking at a few teeth. Keep it gentle—your puppy is not auditioning for a dental X-ray.

• Eyes and face: Gently touch near the cheek and around the eye area without pressing on the eye itself.

Take your time. A few calm seconds of practice are far more valuable than a lengthy session your puppy finds overwhelming.

3. If your puppy is unsure, bring out the treats

Some puppies are naturally relaxed about being handled. Others have a particularly sensitive spot. If your puppy repeatedly pulls their paw away when you touch it, don’t turn the exercise into a battle of wills.

This is where I introduce a little positive reinforcement.

I don’t necessarily begin every handling exercise with food, because some puppies become so excited about treats that it makes relaxation difficult. But when I need a little extra help, a tiny piece of cheese can be an excellent assistant.

I also like to use calm, reassuring words to help puppies anticipate what is about to happen.

For example, say, “It’s OK, I’m going to touch your paw,” gently touch the paw for a moment, and immediately offer a small treat.

At first, your puppy won’t know what those words mean. With repetition, however, they can learn that your familiar phrase predicts a brief touch followed by something pleasant.

You can use the same idea for ears, teeth, or other handling exercises. Keep your words calm and consistent, and make sure the touch itself remains gentle and brief.

The goal is for your puppy to become comfortable with the experience—not to distract them while you do something they are frightened of.

With patience, what once seemed like a suspicious paw inspection may eventually become a little game your puppy is happy to participate in.

4. Introduce grooming tools before you need them

We humans have rather high expectations when it comes to keeping our dogs clean, brushed, and beautifully presented.

Unfortunately, puppies do not arrive with an appreciation for grooming equipment.

A brush, nail clipper, or blow dryer may be completely unfamiliar to them. If the first time they encounter these things is during a full grooming session, they may find the experience overwhelming.

So, introduce the equipment gradually.

Let your puppy see and sniff the brush. Reward calm curiosity. Once they are comfortable, briefly touch the brush to their coat, then offer a treat or return to their favourite gentle petting.

Over time, work towards a few soft brush strokes. Follow the same approach with nail clippers or other grooming tools your puppy will need to become familiar with.

Great puppy training is not always exciting. Sometimes it involves showing the same brush to the same puppy for the fifth day in a row. Repetition may not make for thrilling entertainment, but it can make a tremendous difference.

If you plan to use a professional groomer, look for someone who understands the importance of a puppy’s first experiences. A groomer who suggests a short, friendly visit before the first full appointment is showing you that they care about building confidence.

That is exactly the kind of person I would want handling my puppy.

5. Prepare your puppy for veterinary visits

Once your puppy is comfortable with everyday handling, you can begin introducing brief, pretend veterinary examinations at home.

Keep these sessions short and cheerful. Practise a gentle body check, briefly looking at the ears, lifting a lip, and handling a paw. You can also gradually introduce the feeling of being supported or gently held, always making sure your puppy remains comfortable and secure.

Use the same approach as before: introduce one unfamiliar experience, then return to a familiar touch, a treat, or a little play.

You might say, “I’m just going to check your ears,” followed by a brief ear check and a happy celebration. Another day, practise looking at a tooth or holding a paw for a moment.

Over time, your puppy can become familiar with the kinds of handling they may experience during a veterinary appointment.

You are not trying to replace your veterinarian or practise medical procedures at home. You are simply helping your puppy become more comfortable with the ordinary handling that makes professional care easier.

For puppies who need additional support, you can also ask your veterinarian about cooperative care training, which helps dogs participate more comfortably in their own care.

6. Above all, protect your puppy’s trust

This is the most important part of my advice.

It can be tempting to get carried away once your puppy accepts a few touches. Suddenly, you’re checking every toe, inspecting every tooth, and wondering whether you can fit in a pretend veterinary appointment before dinner.

Please resist the urge.

Your puppy’s trust matters more than completing the exercise.

Keep sessions short. Spend most of the time doing things your puppy already enjoys, and introduce only a small amount of something new.

If your puppy becomes uncomfortable, stop or make the exercise easier. Never punish growling or other signs of discomfort. These are important ways your puppy communicates that something needs to change.

If handling consistently causes distress, or your puppy suddenly becomes sensitive to being touched, speak with your veterinarian. Pain or another medical issue may be involved.

Remember, we are not trying to raise a dog who tolerates absolutely anything. We are trying to raise a dog who trusts us enough to feel safe when we need to help them.

A little patience today makes life easier tomorrow

As your breeder, I want your puppy to grow into a confident, happy dog who feels safe with the people caring for them.

Body handling may not be the most glamorous part of puppy training, but it is a small daily investment that can pay off for years. A puppy who learns that gentle handling predicts comfort, rewards, and respect is better prepared for grooming, veterinary care, and everyday tasks such as cleaning muddy paws or checking an ear.

Start slowly. Keep it positive. Let your puppy have a say.

And if you find yourself spending an entire evening practising a one-second paw touch, remember: you are not wasting time. You are building the kind of trust that will make caring for your dog easier throughout their life.

Your future self—and your future groomer—will thank you.