How to Get a Dog to Let You Clip His Hair

Any dog can become used to electronic hair clippers -- even the most nervous or those who have had a bad experience in the past. The key elements are being willing to invest as much time as it takes, and proceeding at a pace that the dog is comfortable with. You may have to wait several days to get the initial clipping done, but once your dog has overcome his reluctance, future hair cuts will be a routine and stress-free experience for both of you.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog
  • Clippers
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase the healthiest dog treats you can find. Ensure that they are small so you are not over-feeding your dog during the training process. In order to create for your dog a connection between the clippers and the treats, you will have to give treats often. If you have regular-sized dog biscuits, take a few moments to break or cut them into smaller pieces.

    • 2

      Focus on rewarding behavior you want and ignoring behavior you don't want. Many dog owners try to console a fearful dog without understanding that they are encouraging fearful behavior by doing this. As you go forward remember to reward calm, compliant behavior and ignore resistant, cowering behavior.

    • 3

      Introduce your dog to the clippers without turning them on. Let him sniff them and reward him with a pat and a treat if he is calm an does not appear to be fearful. Your goal is to create a connection in his mind with the clippers and having a good experience. When he sees the clippers, you want him to remember that he will get a treat.

    • 4

      Once he shows that he is completely relaxed around the clippers, hold them away from him and turn them on. If he is calm, give him praise and a dog treat. If he shows fear, turn them off. Allow him to sniff the clippers while they are turned off, and treat and praise him only if he is calm. Remember to always remain calm yourself. Repeat as required, until he is calm and relaxed while the clippers buzz. This make take a few moments or several days, depending on your dog.

    • 5

      Proceed with clipping your dog's hair. Have a treat ready to reward him if he allows the clipping to be done without showing any fear or resistance. Continue to praise and reward this behavior as you are grooming him. If he shows fear or reluctance stop and calmly wait a few minutes before trying again, taking care to not praise the fearful behavior with attempts at reassurance. Use patience and strategic behavior responses, and your dog will eventually respond by allowing you to clip his hair.