..try a huge scratching post
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!
Our Corgi was that way...my wife showed him the treat he would get if he allowed the trimming...it eventually worked with him, but, as a corgi, he has an eating disorder. “Dinner is the best 20 seconds of the day” to quote a friend and fellow corgi person.
Is that an anagram? I don’t get it, but I’m intrigued.
Previously, it took 2-3 people to trim her nails, sometimes using a muzzle and wrapping her in a blanket.
I was serious about the shock collar. The muzzle is obvious. As far as the dental thing there is nothing wrong with a little humor.
You might think of putting a lot of concrete in your yard. When I was a kid growing up we had a pointer who had problem nails, but when we moved into a house where the yard was mostly pool deck, he ran around out there and wore them down himself. I also took him on a lot of walks on sidewalks.
Btw, best of luck to you. I know what you’re going through.
My Eskie despises nail clippings too. I got a Pedi Paws and it takes two of us to use it and lots of anguish. I have my vet do it rather than deal with the hassle. Most vets perform this service on a routine basis for about 15 bucks. They know how to handle aggressive dogs and will muzzle her and have two techs hold her. Best way IMHO.
..try a huge scratching post
LOL—I really should have put it in the intro. All concrete in Michigan is buried under snow, except for on freeways. It’s only the snowy six months of the year when she needs the trimming.
I saw this on an episode of Caesar Milan - the Dog Whisperer.
What he did was this
Muzzle on the dog
Someone else holding the dog’s back legs
The owner was told to do the dominating guesture with holding the dog (lightly) at the neck, pinning him to the ground.
Every time the dog tried to get up, the owner was told to tell the dog “DOWN” and continue to pin him
After 3 minutes or so, he pulled out the clippers and the dog started to struggle, so he continued to dominate, he didn’t hide the clippers
It took a few efforts of “DOWN” and finally the front claws got clipped
You might want to google the show and see if you can find the episode for help
Good luck
Yikes! You mean you're able to get that close to his bowl while he's eating? If so that's amazing. I'd be pulling back two bloody stumps if I tried that.
Outside is good.
Daily walks on concrete will help trim the nails and take off excess weight, your’s included.
We had a similar problem and found the walks got us out of a rut, gave us fresh air and some exercise.
Seriously, though, a muzzle is probably the best option. Sounds like it's a big dog, so someone should probably hold him/her in place while the nails are being trimmed. We had to do that with our last dog, so take comfort in the fact that it CAN be done. :)
That is a very big dog, at 105 lbs. You are right to be concerned about having big guys wrestle with your dog: it could traumatize her, definitely. It could also injure her, because big dogs do injure quite easily despite their size.
Post #6 had some great suggestions on acclimatizing, well worth a try. On a dog that size I would still be trying a muzzle, if for no other reason than if it bites it is going to draw blood and possibly crush bones. Who needs that?
Failing those suggestions, what does your Vet say?
I don’t know if this will work, but you can try it, I do this with my puppies.
I start out just holding the foot (where ever she’s comfortable, on the floor, or even with you sitting in a chair—I put puppies in my lap but I don’t think that’s going to work with your big girl!)
Give a treat and then that’s it, done.
Next time (you can do this several times during the day, as often as time allows and the dog is going along with it) see if you can just put your fingers on her nails, LIGHTLY.
Progress to gently squeezing the nail. Every time the dog allows you to do it (even if she’s wants to pull away but you don’t let her) give her a treat. Eventually, hopefully you can squeeze the nail fairly hard (I don’t mean for you to hurt her, but put pressure she can feel).
EVERY TIME you have success, give her a treat. BTW for a treat find something she REALLY likes. For some dogs you have to up the ante from dog biscuits to something great like hot dogs. Very tiny pieces, a taste is enough.
If you get her to where you can squeeze the nails, THEN you can try clipping ONE nail. If you are successful with that, give her a treat and you’re done for that session.
The whole point is to retrain her that getting her nails doen is no big deal and there’s a reward in ti for her. You’re going to have to be VERY careful not to quick her, as that will put you right back where you started.
Some dogs tolerate the noise of a dremmel, and you might go that direction, but I would wait until she is comfortable having her feet and hails handled.
And remember, even tho she’s 105 lbs, she’s NEVER in charge. Not ever. And if you think she will bite you get a pro to help you with this problem. It’s not worth getting bitten over.
let her drink a good stout beer they love it she should be pretty mellow in about 20 minutes or so then have at it then let her go out and pee
We’ve had our challenges during the puppy period regarding food guarding. What I’ve done is to stand next to the bowl and praise and drop treats as they were eating. It’s amazing how willing they are to allow me to be near them during feeding time when they’re being rewarded. :)
It must cost a fortune to heat your pool during those months.
Grell,
No, its not an anagram. There was no vanity tag on this post, so it goes into my slush pile as a ripe picking when I see posts of this sort. Old and / or troublesome horses are referred to as “dog meat”, hence...
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