Nail trimming

[wrottdog]

I have always done my own dogs' nails, but Chanci (5 yrs old) really overreacts to attempts to clip them. When she was younger, she wasn't happy about trimming, but would settle down. Somehow I have let her get the upper hand on this issue and I don't know how to get it back. The last time they were done, the vet tech and I held her (wearing a muzzle) and the vet did the cutting :( . This is not a good situation for Chanci or anyone else. She is cooperative on other issues. Somehow I've gone wrong with the nails. Any suggestions?

[Carina43]

Hi there - first, there are lots of nail trimming discussions, you can do a search & probably come up with plenty. :) I know many people swear by Dremel tools for doing nails.

I use the regular guillotine type. One of my dogs was a very snotty adult about having his nails done when we got him. It took two of us - one holding and correcting for snarly behaviour (and administering hot dogs for good behaviour!) and the other clipping. We started out with just one nail at a time.

I tried conveying the following two messages to Dutch:
a: Whether you like it or not, dude - I AM doing your nails and I don't appreciate snarling. :p
b: Aaaand, Ta-da!! - each nail I clip without you trying to take my face off earns you a quick hug and a hot dog treat! :D

YMMV, this method works here.

[KateG]

Bribery and corruption is definately the way to go.

My old boy Calvin hated having his nails done...my fault, his nails grew straight out and it took me a while to figure out how to tell where the quick was, so I hurt him a couple of times during the learning process. Poor fellow.

After a few frustrating tries at wrestling him with my husbands aid, we decided to change tactics. My husband stood in front of him with a bowl of small yummy treats. A treat was held in front of his nose to distract him (like twitching a horse only kinder), and as soon as a toe was clipped he'd get to eat it. In time, we could treat after every two toes, and then after every foot (but still praise after every toe). Eventually I could do it alone. I'd show him a pig's ear, and start to cut praising all the while. If he got restless, I'd show him again. When we were done, he'd get the treat.

Fortunately Abby's toes are properly curved, so it's easy to tell where to cut, and she's totally blase about having her feet handled. But I still treat and praise to keep it that way.

[tugger5000]

Agree with all the above.

We had the same problem with ours... It would be me holding her with my arm around her neck and controlling her head with the gentle leader (not an easy chore...)

However, it took a few weeks for us to "figure it out". Our Rott is learning by clicker training, so I sat her in front of me with the clicker and touched her feet, clicking her for non-reaction or positive behavior. The next couple of weeks (every few days or so) I would take the clippers (closed) and drag them under her each of her toenails. Again, a click and treat for a non-reaction.

When it came time to clip her nails, we applied the gentle leader (head control) and clipped her nails, clicking and treating after each nail. She only tried to pull her feet back once or twice per foot, but she never tried to retaliate, growl or show any other underdesirable behavior (other than that sad look of "I know I'm being a good girl, but it doesn't mean I have to like it")...

[wrottdog]

Thank you all for the replies. I'll get busy.

[ScoobyJames]

Out of interest how do you tell where the `quick` ends? Nail curvature was mentioned above?

We have an adult rescue with VERY long nails. Cut once allready but back to the quick. How long does it take for the quick to die back afer trimming?

Cheers!

[alexav]

You will need to dremel them every 2-3 days to get the quick to recede. It's hard to describe on the internet, but I will go try to find the Dobe site that shows pictures...

[alexav]

Here's the site: It is EXCELLENT!!!
Dober Dawn

[ScoobyJames]

Top site - thanks!