Ten Step Touch: The Easy Puppy Habit That Builds Trust (and Calm!) for Life

Apr 9

Why is it that pups love ear scratches, but hate the vet looking at their teeth?
Why do they melt when you rub their belly—but squirm like a worm when the groomer touches their nails?

It’s not because they’re dramatic (well… maybe a little). It’s because most dogs haven’t been taught that all kinds of touch—not just the cuddly ones—can be safe, predictable, and even enjoyable.

That’s where Ten Step Touch comes in.

It’s a simple, gentle habit that helps your pup feel comfortable being handled from head to toe—so they’re just as relaxed when the vet checks their ears as they are when you’re snuggling on the couch.

And the best part? When this kind of gentle handling starts early and continues at home, it helps set pups up for a lifetime of trust and calm.

What Is Ten Step Touch?

Ten Step Touch is just what it sounds like—an easy, progressive way to get your pup used to being touched in different places on their body.

Instead of springing a nail trim or vet visit on them and hoping for the best, this exercise builds predictability and trust so that your pup knows, “I’ve felt this before. It’s okay.”

At Olive Branch, we start practicing this when our pups are about three weeks old—when their eyes and ears have just opened, and they’re beginning to explore the world. And by the time they come home to you? Touch is already familiar.

But here’s the thing: You have to keep it up. That’s how the desensitization sticks. And that’s how your bond keeps getting stronger.

Why It Matters (and Why It’s Worth It)

Touch builds trust. And trust builds calm.

We’ve had pups curl up and literally fall asleep during vet exams—as if it were just another nap in the living room. That kind of calm doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from early, gentle handling and consistent reinforcement from the very beginning.

Here’s what Ten Step Touch helps with:

Getting your pup ready for vet visits and grooming
Making everyday care (like brushing or ear cleaning) a breeze
Creating a positive association with your hands—instead of fear or stress
Reinforcing your relationship and helping your pup settle down faster in new situations

How to Do Ten Step Touch at Home

The best part? It’s super easy to do—especially if your pup’s already cuddled up next to you.

Here’s how to get started. Make sure you wait for a calm moment—like when you’re winding down together or settling in to watch TV:

Cover their eyes
Boop their nose
Open their mouth
Gently tug on both ears
Pat their back and run your hand both directions over their fur
Tug on and gently twist their tail
Gently squeeze each paw
Tap on their nails
Gently tug on their collar
Gently turn them onto their back, cradling them in your arms, and rub their belly in a slow, circular motion

That’s it!

If your pup starts to get squirmy or nervous, don’t worry—just go back a few steps and slow down. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s consistency and calm.

What Makes Olive Branch Puppies Different

Ten Step Touch isn’t the only thing we do to help our pups grow up calm and confident. From the very first week, our pups go through a set of handling exercises called ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation)—tiny stressors that help with neurological development, resilience, and stress recovery.

But Ten Step Touch is where we see the magic start to take hold.

By three weeks, the pups are getting used to all kinds of gentle handling. By six weeks, it’s just part of their routine. And by eight weeks, they’ve had positive experiences with touch from multiple people—and that calm, handled feeling comes with them when they go home.

This isn’t something we do just for show. It’s because we want your pup to be able to live fully and confidently—not just tolerate care, but trust it. And that starts in our nursery and continues with you.

Make It a Habit (Not a Homework Assignment)

You don’t need a clicker, a stopwatch, or a bag of fancy training treats.

Just start including Ten Step Touch during your regular cuddle time.

Every time you gently touch their ears or check their paws or give them a little chin rub, you’re reinforcing, “This is safe. You’re safe.” And that kind of reinforcement pays off for life.