Posted on 01/09/2009 2:39:14 PM PST by grellis
My Newfie/Lab cross will not allow me to trim her nails. She has tried to bite two groomers now, and the only success my vet had was with sedation--not cheap, when it has to be done every two months. I have tried every trimmer on the market, including the new battery powered models--nothing works. I've had Moxie since she was a puppy, and she has never been comfortable with anyone handling her toes. I'm at my wit's end! ANY suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Have you considered using a muzzle and somebody to help you hold the dog?
I wish I could help. My cairn terrier was banned from Petsmart twice........we had changed her name the 2nd time lol. I think her photo is on the wall now. Have to take her to the vets to get them trimmed.
What about a muzzle or a shock collar. Maybe you can borrow the collar from a trainer once in a while. Otherwise you might try dental removal.
Is it possible to have someone hold her down while wearing oven mitts while you cut her nails?
This is what I have to do with someone’s cat. I put on oven mitts and hold the cat down while the other person cuts the cat’s claws.
Mind the tolerance of your dog, and be sure to take breaks, if necessary. If your dog is not used to having his nails trimmed, start slowly, and gradually work up to simply holding his toes firmly for 15 - 30 seconds. Do not let him mouth or bite at you.
It can take daily handling for a week or more to get some dogs used to this. When your dog tolerates having his feet held, clip just one nail, and if he is good, praise him and give him a tiny treat. Wait, and then at another time, do another nail. Continue until all nails have been trimmed. Slowly, you will be able to cut several nails in one sitting, and finally all the nails in one session.
I was hoping for serious answers. I hope you were joking. If not, I hope you don’t have any pets.
My son in law is built like a linebacker and he got bit trying to hold her. If a dog doesn’t want something done to them, it’s not going to happen. At least my dog.... 14 pounds and it took the vet, 3 techs and a blanket to draw blood.
Let it run around outside.
Problem is she’s 105 pounds and incredibly strong—it would take a very big guy to hold her down, and she would be so traumatized I think it would make matters worse.
Buy one of those rotary grinders on TV and then have someone feed the dog peanut butter, cheese, etc. at the exact same moment you grab the paw and start the grinding......it’s worth a try.
Sidewalk trimming works great May through October. The rest of the year all signs of cement are under several inches of snow.
A concrete floor in a dog run will wear them down, especially if she likes to dig.
Running on the pavement works wonders for keeping the nails trimmed down.
Lay her down on her side, give her a good rub/massage with a hand over the eyes.
When she's nice and relaxed, cut a nail.
It takes two people but it will work.
You have to get them to associate affection and feeling good with whatever you want them to do that is abhorrent to them.
Two words: horse feed.
Post # 6 was the best advice, forcing a dog is not the way.
Gradual tolerance is the best...pretty soon she won’t mind at all....
This is what I have been doing, and it has just stalled out at the nail. She lets me hold any of her paws, she lets me stretch out her webs (Newfie duck toes), but the moment I touch a nail she freaks out.
This is where I think a muzzle is a darn good idea. They do not hurt the dog, nor to they prevent the dog from breathing freely or drinking. They do prevent biting.
Another poster suggested a shock collar: not a dumb idea if you want to correct this behavior in your dog. Again, they do not injure your dog, but they do provide an uncomfortable zap. I’ve been zapped by them many times during the course of my dog work, and aside from making me jump a bit they caused no damage.
That same poster suggested removing teeth. Don’t do that.
I think a combination of a muzzle, a large beach towel an your linebacker son-in-law you should be good to go. Don’t make a big hairy deal out of it, be casual not timid, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Alternatively, it may be something you need a Dog Behavioralist like Caesar Milan to give you some guidance on. It sounds like your dog decides what it is and is not going to do. That is a behavior issue, definitely.
Anyrate those are my suggestions. Hope they help.
I’ve had the same problem with the lady I’m married to, except it involves laundry, dishes, staying out all night with loose women half my age, drinking, drugs and heavy metal. I wonder if there are any similarities in this situation...?
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