5 Grooming Commands That Make Home Care So Much Easier

The difference between a dog who tolerates grooming and one who fights it often comes down to a few basic commands. Dogs aren’t born knowing how to behave during grooming—they need to learn what’s expected.

Teaching these five commands makes every grooming task easier, from daily brushing to nail trims to vet visits.

The Foundation: Why Commands Help

Grooming commands work because they:

• Give your dog a job — Dogs are calmer when they know what’s expected
• Create predictability — Commands signal what’s coming next
• Build cooperation — Dog becomes a participant, not a victim
• Reduce stress — For both of you

These aren’t complicated obedience exercises. They’re simple cues that make grooming safer and more pleasant.

Command 1: “Stand”

What it means: Stand still with all four feet on the ground.

When you’ll use it: Brushing, body inspections, drying, professional grooming.

How to Train

1. Start with your dog sitting.
2. Hold a treat at their nose level and slowly move it forward (away from them).
3. As they rise to follow the treat, say “Stand.”
4. The moment all four feet are on the ground, mark (“Yes!”) and treat.
5. Gradually increase duration before treating—start with 2 seconds, build to 30+ seconds.
6. Add distractions: touch their sides, move around them, pick up a brush.

Pro Tips

• Don’t push down on their hindquarters if they sit—just reset and try again
• Practice on a non-slip surface (dogs stand better when not sliding)
• Keep early sessions short (30 seconds to 2 minutes)

Command 2: “Paw” / “Give Paw”

What it means: Offer your paw for handling.

When you’ll use it: Nail trims, paw inspections, cleaning between toes, checking pads.

How to Train

1. Have your dog sit or stand.
2. Hold a treat in a closed fist near their paw.
3. Most dogs will paw at your hand to get the treat—capture this moment with “Paw” and reward.
4. If they don’t paw naturally, gently lift their paw while saying the command, then reward.
5. Gradually increase how long you hold the paw before rewarding.
6. Practice extending individual toes and touching nails (always reward).

Pro Tips

• Train all four paws—dogs often prefer one side
• Work up to holding each paw for 10-15 seconds
• Make touching nails highly rewarding (best treats reserved for this)

Command 3: “Chin” or “Head Down”

What it means: Rest your chin on my hand/a surface.

When you’ll use it: Face grooming, eye cleaning, ear checks, dental care.

How to Train

1. Hold a treat in your closed fist, palm up.
2. Let your dog investigate—when their chin touches your palm, mark and reward.
3. Add the cue “Chin” as they’re lowering their head.
4. Gradually require longer chin contact before rewarding.
5. Practice with chin on different surfaces (your hand, a table, the grooming surface).
6. Add gentle face touches while they hold position.

Pro Tips

• This command is especially useful for anxious dogs—it’s a calming position
• Start touching away from sensitive areas (forehead) before moving to eyes and ears
• Use this during tear stain cleaning and eye wiping

Command 4: “Settle” or “Relax”

What it means: Lie down and stay calm.

When you’ll use it: Extended brushing sessions, mat removal, professional grooming, vet exams.

How to Train

1. Ask for a down position.
2. Reward calmness—slow breathing, relaxed body, head lowering.
3. Add the cue “Settle” during calm moments.
4. Practice gentle handling while they’re settled.
5. Build duration gradually (5 seconds → 30 seconds → 2 minutes).
6. Work up to full grooming activities during settle.

Pro Tips

• This isn’t just “down”—you’re rewarding relaxation, not just position
• Watch for signs of relaxation: soft eyes, slow breathing, relaxed ears
• If they tense up, pause grooming, wait for relaxation, then continue

Command 5: “Touch” / “Target”

What it means: Touch your nose to my hand or an object.

When you’ll use it: Positioning for grooming, moving into bathtub, standing on scales, redirecting attention.

How to Train

1. Hold your flat palm a few inches from your dog’s nose.
2. Most dogs will investigate—the moment their nose touches your palm, mark and reward.
3. Add the cue “Touch” as they move toward your hand.
4. Practice in different positions: left side, right side, up high, down low.
5. Transfer to objects: ask them to touch a target stick, the bathtub, the grooming table.

Pro Tips

• Touch is incredibly versatile—use it to guide your dog anywhere
• Dogs who know touch can be guided onto grooming tables, into tubs, onto scales
• It’s also great for redirecting anxious dogs during grooming

General Training Tips

Keep Sessions Short

5 minutes of focused training beats 20 minutes of frustration. End on a success.

Use High-Value Rewards

Grooming training deserves the good stuff—cheese, meat, whatever your dog loves most. Dry biscuits won’t cut it for challenging exercises.

Separate Training from Grooming (Initially)

First teach the command in low-pressure situations. Once solid, gradually add grooming context.

Be Patient with Setbacks

A dog who knows “paw” might still struggle when clippers come out. That’s normal. Go slower, use better treats, rebuild the association.

Practice When You Don’t Need To

Run through commands even when no grooming is planned. This keeps skills sharp and prevents commands from predicting “something unpleasant is coming.”

Putting It All Together

Here’s how these commands flow in a typical grooming session:

1. “Stand” — Position your dog on the grooming surface
2. Brush body — Reward frequently for holding position
3. “Settle” — For longer detangling or mat work
4. “Chin” — For face grooming and ear checks
5. “Paw” — For each paw inspection and nail trim
6. “Touch” — Guide to bathtub or next position as needed

With practice, grooming becomes a predictable routine your dog understands and cooperates with.

Troubleshooting

“My dog won’t hold still”
Increase reward frequency. Some dogs need treats every 2-3 seconds initially. Gradually space out rewards as they improve.

“Commands fall apart when I actually groom”
You’ve added too much too fast. Go back a step—practice commands near grooming tools without using them, then with brief tool contact, then actual grooming.

“My dog knows these commands but still hates grooming”
Commands make grooming easier, but they don’t fix underlying fear. If your dog has genuine grooming anxiety, see our guide on training dogs to enjoy brushing for counterconditioning techniques.

“We can’t even get to commands—my dog panics”
Stop and work on general handling first. Some dogs need desensitisation to touch before commands are relevant. Consider working with a professional trainer.

The Bottom Line

These five commands—Stand, Paw, Chin, Settle, and Touch—transform grooming from a battle into teamwork. They’re not difficult to teach, and they make a real difference in daily care.

Start with whichever command is most relevant to your current grooming challenges. Once one is solid, add the next. Within a few weeks, you’ll have a dog who actually cooperates during grooming—and that benefits everyone.

Ready to tackle specific grooming challenges? Check out our guides on nail trimming, bathing, and keeping dogs calm during grooming.

Related Reading

Continue exploring our grooming guides:

• Poochon Grooming Guide: Expert Coat Care
• Irish Doodle Grooming Guide: Expert Coat Care
• Yorkipoo Grooming Guide: Expert Coat Care Tips

Ready to book a professional grooming session? Book your appointment or view our services.