Why Enrichment Grooming Matters: Working With a Dog’s Instincts Instead of Against Them

Grooming shouldn’t feel like a wrestling match. And yet, for so many dogs, that’s exactly what it is—because we’re out here expecting them to sit perfectly still while we buzz, brush, and bathe like they’ve spent their whole lives training for it.

I don’t know about you, but if someone came at me with scissors and a high-velocity dryer while demanding I “just stay still,” I’d probably react poorly too.

So why do we expect dogs to just deal with it without helping them through the process?

This is where enrichment grooming comes in. It’s not about turning every groom into a doggy spa day (though, let’s be real, some dogs deserve it). It’s about understanding what makes a dog tick and working with it instead of fighting against it—because if a dog isn’t panicking, they’re not thrashing, biting, or flinging themselves off the table, and guess what? That makes life easier for everyone.

What If We Stopped Fighting a Dog’s Natural Instincts?

Dogs weren’t bred to sit still while a human hovers over them with sharp objects. They were bred to herd, chase, dig, retrieve, protect, sniff out bad guys, and generally be their chaotic little selves.

So when we ignore their instincts and expect them to handle grooming like a sedated show dog, we’re setting them (and ourselves) up for failure.

Instead of forcing compliance, what if we worked with what their brain is naturally wired to do?

Let’s Talk Breed Instincts & Grooming Struggles

Herding Breeds (Border Collies, Aussies, Corgis)

• Natural Instincts: Go-go-go, hyper-awareness, touch- sensitive, must have a job at all times. 

• Common Grooming Struggles: Can’t stand still, startle at clippers, react to air movement like it’s a personal attack. 

🔹 How to Work With Them:

• Give them a “task” (hold a toy, target a spot, stand on a mat).

• Let them move a little instead of demanding statue-level stillness.

• Use low-vibration tools and quieter dryers if they’re sound-sensitive.

Terriers (Westies, Scotties, Schnauzers)

• Natural Instincts: Independent. Stubborn. Expects to be in charge. 

• Common Grooming Struggles: Resists handling, refuses to be told what to do, acts like you’ve personally offended them.

How to Work With Them:

• Let them feel in control—show them tools before using them.

• Keep a predictable routine. If they know what’s coming, they’re less likely to fight it.

• Keep sessions short—terriers have a low tolerance for nonsense.

Sporting Breeds (Labs, Goldens, Spaniels)

• Natural Instincts: Work hard, play harder. Touch-motivated. Constantly wiggling. 

• Common Grooming Struggles: Cannot sit still to save their life. Will throw their entire body at you for attention. 

How to Work With Them:

• Start with petting and hands-on contact before introducing tools.

• Give praise. Lots of it. Possibly too much of it.

• Let them “get the wiggles out” before expecting them to focus.

Guard Breeds (Dobermans, Rottweilers, Shepherds)

Natural Instincts: Protect their people. Assess threats. Do not trust easily. 

Common Grooming Struggles: New people = suspicious. Handling = suspicious. Pretty much everything = suspicious. 

How to Work With Them:

• Trust first, grooming second. Slow introductions matter.

• Move with intention—no sudden surprises. They’re watching your every move.

• Stay calm and confident—if you’re nervous, they’ll know.

Small Adjustments, Big Payoff

The reality is, most of us were taught to make dogs comply rather than help them feel comfortable. But when we actually take a second to understand why they’re reacting a certain way, we can tweak what we do to make grooming less stressful for them and less exhausting for us.

• Instead of forcing stillness, allow controlled movement where possible. 

• Instead of power-struggling, guide them into cooperation. 

• Instead of pushing through their fear, take a second to let them process what’s happening.

When dogs feel like they have some control, they stop fighting. When they feel safe, they stop panicking. And when we stop treating grooming like an assembly line process, the whole thing runs smoother, faster, and with fewer bite attempts.

Final Thoughts: Stop Fighting Dogs & Start Understanding Them

Enrichment grooming isn’t about being extra—it’s about understanding the dog in front of you and making small changes that make a huge impact.

Dogs aren’t born knowing how to handle clippers buzzing around their face. They were bred to work, move, hunt, chase, protect.

So instead of treating grooming like a battle of wills, we can make it something better—an experience that works with their instincts instead of fighting against them.

And honestly? That makes life easier for everyone.

How do you work with a dog’s instincts in grooming? Drop your experiences in the comments!