🐾 Spartan Rottweilers

10-Step Puppy Handling Exercise

This hands-on routine helps your puppy become comfortable with various types of touch and handling. You can do the steps in any order — the goal is to build trust, not to rush.

If your puppy becomes wiggly, resistant, or agitated, pause the exercise until they settle, then gently resume. Always finish with calm praise, snuggles, and affection!

🐶 Step-by-Step:

1. Rub and gently tug on their ears
   Get them used to ear handling in case of future cleanings or vet checks.
2. Cover their eyes for 3–5 seconds
   Helps desensitize them to sudden hand movements or grooming.
3. Open their mouth
   Look at their teeth, rub their gums, and place a finger inside to build trust.
   (Bonus: Check for proper tooth eruption — occasionally, issues can arise here.)
4. Rub their belly and chest in wide circles
   This is a great calming exercise and builds confidence while lying on their back.
5. Ruffle their back fur
   Run your hand from tail to head to simulate “rough” contact. Also, try “heavy petting” — firmly pat their back like you're burping a baby.
6. Gently tug and twist their tail
   Slowly desensitizes them to accidental tail pulls (like from kids).
7. Massage between their paw pads
   A great prep for nail trimming and checking for debris.
8. Tap the tips of their nails
   Gets them ready for future nail trims and pressure on their feet.
9. Tug gently on their collar
   Practice slight restraint by applying pressure to their collar.
10. Touch their nose
    A simple but important step — helps reduce flinching during vet exams or nose wipes.