Shorter sessions, a non-slip surface, and one person to hold rather than two hands doing everything — most fidgeting is insecurity about footing rather than objection to the tool.
Fidgeting has causes, and most are fixable.
Footing first
A dog on a slippery floor braces constantly. A rubber mat, or a table with a non-slip top, settles a surprising number of animals immediately.
Height
Grooming a large dog on the floor means you loom over it. Waist height changes the dynamic for both of you.
Sessions
Five minutes, ending well. Three of those beat one twenty-minute struggle, and the dog remembers the end.
A second person
Not to restrain — to reassure and to feed. Grooming with someone at the head end is a different job.
When it is pain
A dog that objects to one area specifically, or that has become worse suddenly, may be sore. That is a vet question rather than a training one.
Last reviewed 2026-08-17