Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ginny and Diggory on September 10, 2009 at 5:03pm

Yeah, Ginny hates it too. Let's just say we go through lots of treats when we're clipping nails, but even then, sometimes it gets very frustrating. I just try to stay calm and praise her as I clip them. Sometimes it's helpful to have someone else help you to distract them while you're clipping. She doesn't really like me to touch feet even when I'm not clipping her nails.

Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on September 10, 2009 at 5:04pm

I have the vet do it. That is my advice!!

Permalink Reply by Cheryl Nickel on September 10, 2009 at 5:26pm

After months of practice, treating, tummy rubs, praising (& calm assertive behavior on my part), Maggie will come when called to do her nails. She will lie on her back in a nice, soft & cushy bean bag while I file her nails with the dremel. Unfortunately, I still can't get her to "shake". Oh well, I guess we can't have everything.

Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on September 10, 2009 at 5:34pm

Cute pic! I have some that are more touchy with their feet than others...Bella will lay there and let me trim her nails and you would think she was having a spa day, Wynn is touchy with his feet but I can clip his nails but he's protective of his feet at the same time.My others fall in between someplace. Does she ever sit by you if you're watching tv and could you take your fingers and gently rub between her toes??? I'm not saying this helps but it might desensitize(sp) her feet more...I do this alot and mine seem to like it and I'm not just handling their feet to clip nails. Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Beth on September 10, 2009 at 6:25pm

A helper with peanut butter on a spoon might do wonders. Jack is awful, but we walk a lot and his nails stay short.

You might also try the Dremmel pet nail contraption.

Permalink Reply by Sunni A. on September 11, 2009 at 2:35am

YES! I dunk a whole spoon in peanut butter and lay it on a towel across my lap while I trim his nails! Eddy doesn't even kick his legs or wiggle away when I'm squeezing his toes and detailing with the file. A whole spoon lasts for all 4 legs.

Permalink Reply by Allison Musick on September 10, 2009 at 7:10pm

Thanks so much! I will definitely try some of these things - the peanut butter spoon thing especially, LOL. I'd love for nail clipping to just be a one-person job, but like Cheryl said, Oh well, guess we can't have everything. :)

Does anyone else do the electric nail filing thing? I've thought about it, but doesn't it take even longer than clipping?

Permalink Reply by Cheryl Nickel on September 11, 2009 at 11:39am

Hello Allison! Dremel nail filing does take longer than clipping; however, I feel it is well worth the extra time knowing that by using the dremel I will never hurt my dog by clipping too close to the quick, nor does my dog ever experience any type of "trauma" by being held down or forced to have her nails clipped by strangers or the veterinary staff. When a dog's nail has been cut too close to the quick, it hurts & they never forget it!! Since they never forget it, they will avoid nail clippings even harder the next time. Chelsea is my English Setter & I have been filing her nails since we brought her home at 8 weeks. When I say, "Let's do your nails!" she runs over to the cushy bean bag, lays down & rolls over on her back! It's just too funny how anxious she is to get her nails done!!

Permalink Reply by Allison Musick on September 11, 2009 at 8:31pm

Great! I might have to try that! :)

Permalink Reply by Garrett, Katie, & Conan on September 10, 2009 at 7:52pm

If I had answers to the nail trimming, Conan wouldn't fight like a wild animal when we tried. We take him to the groomer for it. It's within walking distance and only $5.

As for the shake, have you tried marker training?

Permalink Reply by Stephanie on September 10, 2009 at 9:05pm

LOL we go to the groomer too! I always tip them because I'm sure it's a nightmare - they're always very polite and say something like, "try to spend a little more time touching his feet, so he'll get more used to it." LOL makes no difference!

Bear actually learned shake in about a half an hour one night, but now he has shake and sit mixed up. When you tell him to sit, he sits and puts his paw up automatically, we rarely get just a regular sit nowadays.

Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on September 10, 2009 at 9:17pm

Sparty knows a bunch of tricks. If I try to work with Izzy with him around he will do all his tricks while barking to try to get my attention. Picture a paw up, sit , roll over, and dead dog at high speed with lots of manic barking!

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