Can't trim Olive's nails!

[biowicks]

Originally Posted by mellie

What kind of resistance does she put up ? Squirmming or pulling her foot away ? Does she show teeth ? Have you tried putting her on her back and cradling her between your legs ? Or if you are doing that maybe on her side ? Or maybe while she standing ? I know you want to be able to do it so just do it. That's what happens when you take her to the vet/groomer...they just do it even if it's a struggle. I believe you can handle /treat her feet for a week or 2 then just trim 1 nail at a time each night after treating/handling and after 20 days she will be more acustomed to it...just throwing some ideas out there. Keep it short and sweet but you must win !!

My perference is to have her on her back between my legs, and when she was cooperating, that's what we always did. Now she pulls away, won't lay on her back, thrashes, and tries to run away. it's quite violent, but she doesn't show her teeth or bark; she just tries to get away. I've tried letting her stand, having her sit, every possible position, but as soon as I hold her paw and she sees the clippers, the struggle begins. I can't do even one nail without worry about cutting too deep. The groomer/vet has the advantage of not being me, I think.

[mellie]

Yea, I hear you...you may have to "reclaim" her feet gradually. How old is she ? a year yet ? Maybe it' s just a spooky growing up thing. I wouldn't give up yet. You will get her to trust you with her feet if you keep trying. Just touch / treat those toes and be patient. You will figure it out...

[biowicks]

Originally Posted by mellie

Yea, I hear you...you may have to "reclaim" her feet gradually. How old is she ? a year yet ? Maybe it' s just a spooky growing up thing. I wouldn't give up yet. You will get her to trust you with her feet if you keep trying. Just touch / treat those toes and be patient. You will figure it out...

Olive will be a year old this coming 11/13. I hope at that precise moment, she grows up!

[BarbV]

Originally Posted by biowicks

Actually, I tried the grinder first. I watched several youtube videos about desensitizing the dog to the Dremel before actually trying to use it on the nails. I could never get to the point that I could use it to actually grind the nail. In the beginning, she thought it was a game when I touched the not turned on Dremel to her nails, but once she discovered it made a noise I couldn't get near her with it whether it was turned on or off. I am hoping that when she gets older, I can try again and perhaps be successful. I really think the Dremel does the best job, but not when it turns the dog into a whirling dervish!

A couple of things....

Someone made the point about "reclaiming" the feet (Mellie?). I think that's a really important point and goes with any aspect of grooming. When its time to groom, no matter the body part, the dog has to know that you are the one in control. And yes, you'll help him feel better about it with treats and praise, but you are still the boss.

As for the dremmel, I got the dogs used to the sound long before the dremmel even touched their bodies.

I started with showing them the dremmel and letting them sniff it. Touching it to them. Then with it behind my back, I turned the dremmel on and praised the dog for lying still. Eventually I moved the dremmel in front of me, but still not touching the dog. Then I held it against the body, using my hand as shield but so they could feel the vibration. Then I touched each nail briefly, and so on before I started to do full grinds.

Remember with the dremmel, it heats up fast so you don't want to spend more than 5 seconds or so per nail. It usually takes me 3 rounds per paw to finish the nails.

But when I do start, it is non-negotiable with the dogs.