The nail battle is on!

I have read the threads I've found on nail trimming and am going to go ahead and throw this out. Bear was a rescue at the age of one. When we got him he wasn't happy to have his nails trimmed but he tolerated it. Now after a year he's moved backward to the point we're able to get his front nails trimmed with lots of patience and treats. However, all games are off when it comes to his back paws. His claws are getting way too long and I'm getting very concerned.

We've worked on our own and as a pair. He's not terribly food driven though that's how I got his front claws trimmed this weekend. We've gotten a dremmel. He allows us to use it on his front claws, but again, no go on the back. I've tried the peanut butter jar trick. No go, even though he loves peanut butter.

Does anyone have additional ideas or experiences that might help? It's stressing us all out and I feel like I'm neglecting my child!

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on November 14, 2011 at 1:01am

See the FAQ. Do it weekly, cut only a little. The more it happens, the more routine it gets. Put it on the calendar, check it off. Or just fake it, to get the dog used to it.

Al used to scream like I was amputating his nose. I NEEDED assistance, to distract him (Gwynnie once touchingly crawled into my lap, across him, to protect him). Now, I can do it solo.

Whenever the feet are wet is a good time; wet claws are much softer. I cut front-->back, dorsal --> ventral, opposite the direction the cutter's guard suggests, seems more "with the grain".

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Permalink Reply by Joelle Soupe on November 17, 2011 at 2:53pm

My boyfriend and I started Charlie with a dremmel early on, but he still hates it, so I don't think they ever grow to tolerate it! My boyfriend always holds him in his lap (with Charlie on his back), one arm holding his body/legs down, the other arm under Charlie's chin so he won't see or wriggle loose. Try that (mostly the arm under head thing). We also trim once a week so it's about 1 minute for the whole thing (the shorter the time the better!).

Distractions didn't work for us also; Charlie may love treats, but not enough to not notice the dremmel!

Good luck!