Toenail Clipping
I'm writing this with throbbing fingers (from being chewed on) and an extremely frustrated state of mind. The first two or three times I ever clipped Hannah's nails were a breeze. She didn't fight me at all and seemed interested in the whole process. However, it's been nothing but a huge struggle and a major hassle since then. Mind you, I never accidentally clipped any nails too short or anything else that would cause such a change in behavior. However, when I try to do it now, it's a nightmare. She will sometimes let me grasp her paw without struggle, but the minute the clippers touch her nail, all hell breaks loose. She doesn't snap at me, but she does try to chew my fingers off my hand in the process.
Even enlisting the help of a third party has done no good. I touch her feet all the time. I let her see the clippers, smell them, and lick them when we aren't actually using them. I've tried using really awesome treats during clippings. I just don't understand. I really don't want to shell out $15 to get her nails clipped regularly, but it seems like it's come to that. Even then, I'm worried about how she will behave at the vet's office. At this rate, though, I'm lucky if I can even get 4 nails done over 2 days time.
I'm open to any additional advice here. I'm out of ideas.
Even enlisting the help of a third party has done no good. I touch her feet all the time. I let her see the clippers, smell them, and lick them when we aren't actually using them. I've tried using really awesome treats during clippings. I just don't understand. I really don't want to shell out $15 to get her nails clipped regularly, but it seems like it's come to that. Even then, I'm worried about how she will behave at the vet's office. At this rate, though, I'm lucky if I can even get 4 nails done over 2 days time.
I'm open to any additional advice here. I'm out of ideas.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Corgi lover! (Misty) on
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I have the same problem with Chesney!! The first time I clipped her nails she did ok until I accidentally got too close to the quick now she freaks!! I take her to the groomer now. She still freaks though. She scratched the poor girl from wrist to elbow last time! I felt so bad! Chesney is another one that doesn't like to be hugged so it's hard to hold her down and I get so upset seeing her panic. I take her in and they give her a bath, clean her ears and anal glands and clip her nails and then call me when she's done! I hope she does better next time!! LOL Sorry I don't have any advice beyond taking her to the groomer!
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Permalink Reply by Mel K on
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I have never had an issue with Caleb but I attribute that to my no nonsense approach since he was first here. I've taught many puppies to have their nails trimmed and to stand for the vet so I don't really accept anything other then a 'can do' attitude with it.
I start out having them learn to be still. Press them to my chest starting out for ten seconds and just as long as they were quiet they were let go. I keep that up until I say still and they stay still.
For the feet I started handling them the first day, I wait until they're sleepy then I flip them over and in thirty seconds all nails are clipped.
Caleb has tried occasionally getting mouthy with my hands but a firm 'No' causes him to stop and heave a big sigh.
I have only ever had one pup who tried the 'panic' mode on me and she just got to do the above more often but in shorter sessions with a lot more treats but I did not give in to her.
At about six months old it seemed to hit her that she was going to have this done regardless and that by being good it was over quickly. Never another sound out of her and no struggles but by golly she DEMANDED her treat when it was over. She sure wasn't going to do that garbage for 'free' :)
This is not meant as a snide remark towards anyone in this conversation but I really believe it is our job to make sure our dogs behave well for groomers and veterinarians. The harder we make their jobs the less they have time to care on a personal level for our pets and it can show. By passing off our pets issues to an outside individual it does nothing to remedy the problem and many dogs get worse.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Oh, no, I don't take it as a snide remark and I know I should have handled it differently when he was a puppy! But my god did he scream and writhe! I just lacked the confidence to trust that I was doing the right thing. The longer I would hold him still the harder he would fight and there seemed no point where he would stay still in sight. Honestly I was afraid I'd ruin his otherwise excellent disposition.
If I had to do it over, I would hold him still for a very brief (fraction of a second) at a time and gradually increase the time, rather than trying to wait him out. Now he's older and knows his obedience commands I can use an "ah-ah" or long sttaaaayy to quiet him a bit. Luckily he's never needed his nails clipped so I have time to improve his behavior. You can see the quick almost to the tip of his nail.
Still, I think some are impossible. The co-breeder we got Jack from said she had one once that she never could do its nails, and she raised dozens of puppies who were trained to be handled for show.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Just like us people I think dogs can have fears and some are easier to conquer than others...and how we approach things matter somewhat too...but I know when Wynn goes to the vet (he loves to go there) but for whatever reason he hates the table and will fight,squirm and sound like we're pulling his teeth out but I go in with him and hold him tightly and we get done what needs to be done with me beside him...I don't believe he will change and this will be the protocol for him on vet visits. If he were to ever have a serious issue he would need a sedative!
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My old female Siberian started out easy to clip. Then, when she got about 8 years old she'd scream like a banshee when you went to clip her nails. And I purposely don't stress them anymore then I have to (though I'm sure it sounds otherwise) so I'd sit on the floor with her and barely have to move her paws in case it was arthritis. If you didn't have nail clippers you could do anything you wanted to her feet.
I know she was never clipped too close because I've always done all my dogs myself but somehow she developed the crazies over it when she got older.
For the rest of her days she had a loud fit every month when it was clippy time but she never fought, just screamed and gave me 'the look'.
She was also my first obedience dog, I miss her.
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So sorry for your loss Melissa...I know how that feels!
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She lived to the ripe old age of 13 before having to be helped across the 'bridge' due to consecutive strokes. I stayed with her and she'd had a good life and knew she was loved. I have many great memories with her so it's good. :) That's my only complaint with animals that we take into our lives...they don't stay around long enough! :)
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Permalink Reply by Lou Ann Lemaster on
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My first corgi was no problem getting her nails done. She would stand and let you pick up each foot, clip the nail and never move an inch. I don't know if being with the litter a month longer than Duncan was with his has anything to do with it or not. I also was over all the time when she was a puppy (my neighbors had the litter and gave me her as a birthday pesent....LUCKY ME at 16), playing with her and the rest of the litter. Maybe that had something to do with it. She was a great little dog.
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Permalink Reply by Jamie on
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I just wanted to say thank you for all the great advice as I don't have the time to respond to everyone's posts! I think I will try a bit longer with the treat and helper technique to see if there's any improvement. If that doesn't work, I'm going to invest in a muzzle and go from there. I have been very tempted to have her nails clipped at the vet, but A) I really do not want to spend extra money on something that I know I am capable of doing myself if I just keep working at it, and B) I do not want to see her stressed out in the hands of someone else. With all these great suggestions, I'm positive I can find something that will work with a little time and patience!
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Good Luck and remember "change may be slow"!
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Yep, baby steps. Watch for even the slightest hint that you're making progress and reward it like crazy.
Good luck!
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Permalink Reply by Chad Rummel on
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Hi, my Luna started doing the same thing. I think she picked it up from her brother who won't let anyone touch his paws. But, what my fiancee and I started doing is clipping her nails late at night. Especially, after a long walk or a full day of playing. That way shes wore out and less likely to struggle. Then I just hold her and talk calmly to her, tell she a good dog etc. etc and it seems to be working. But, I think the big key is to do it just before bed time when she's really tired. Good luck!
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