Need advice for one of my puppy owners.

DLS · 02-24-2008, 12:05 PM

I know I read a thread somewhere here about re-training a dog to have its nails trimmed, but cannot find it. One of my pup owners contacted me, they have always used a dremel on Jinx's nails and had no problems until a while ago. They do not know what has changed Jinx's attitude towards the dremel but now they say that they almost have to sit on her to do her nails. Any ideas?

**dobermansrule** · 02-25-2008, 12:57 PM

sounds corny, but its all about attitude. Our breeder proved it to us, and she's not a young spring chicken. We were having fits dremeling. We seriously thought the neighbors were going to call animal control on us for dog abusive, Quincy's squealing was so loud and pitful. So we met up with the breeder, she popped out a grooming table, got the puppy and firmly placed him on it, held his paw, and literally five minutes she was done. Part of it was technique in knowing how to hold the pup so he can't squirm and he knows you are in control. So, then, we took the learnings and next time at home, I got my serious business look on my face, got teh pup and I dremeled him by myself for the first time. So letting the dog know it is time to the business, no shenanigans, and getting it done quickly will set the pattern for the rest of his life. I stress getting it done quickly - part of it was our fault for dinking around on each, overheating it, hitting the quick etc. So get your technique nailed down. get the dog in the mode that he knows its time and just be quiet and do it, and all will be well.

DobeGirl07 · 02-25-2008, 01:01 PM

Put her up on a grooming table and she won't really be able to move much. I do agree with the above poster about attitude.

DLS · 02-25-2008, 05:49 PM

Thanks guys, I will pass on your suggestions. I asked Jinx's owners to email me the exact routine they use when going about dremeling her nails. The problem is, she is now 1 1/2 years old, they have been dremeling her nails all along and she was great, no problems. Then a little while back something happened to change her attitude about the nail trimming. they said they have never grinded into her quick or anything like that. They have no idea why she hates it so much now.

Dobemom2b · 02-25-2008, 06:13 PM

It could be something the owner never tied to doing the nails. Someone knocks a pillow off the back of the couch while it is being drimmeled onto the dog, something startles it, did a strange dog enter with a friend etc. Have them think back to what may have happened or been going on in the background that was unusual the last time the dog did not protest. They may have dismissed something as not a big deal that struck the dog differently. It's hard in retrospect to remember the small details after the fact that we dismissed but it is worth thinking about.

link80reid · 02-25-2008, 06:17 PM

I would also have them make sure they are only doing each nail for a few seconds little by little. They get very hot very quickly. So it is possible that they were doing it right at first, but as the family got set in their ways of dremling, a different family member started doing it, or they just started getting the hang of it and taking less time (letting the nails heat up). My boy doesn't mind getting his dremeled one bit, but If I accidentally do one nail for too long and it gets hot, he definitely lets me know. Heating a dogs nail to the burning point will definitely throw all training or good manners right out the window.

**DreamDoby** · 02-25-2008, 06:40 PM

I changed Harmony's atttitude for the dremel with treats and good praises. I tried the attitude I am not in the mood and in charge before and that caused her to scoot in circles to get away. She would have hung herself trying to get off of the table she was that against the dremel.

I rained treats from the sky just for her being next to the dremel and having it run. Then I would touch a nail and give some treats with a lot of verbal praise. A lot of praise. I would place the treats in her sight so she has something to concentrate on that she was going to get as we were working. Each nail she got treats. I worked very quickly not really doing much at first. Just skimming the tips. Still using the verbal praise the entire time so she could hear something other than the dremel at work.

It took time but now she lays down immediately for her trims. The treats were faded for her rewards, just one when wer are completely done, but the verbal praise is still there to reinforce her. I still work as quick as possible for her to make sure it is as comfortable as possible for her.

DLS · 02-25-2008, 08:10 PM

Thanks everybody, I think something happened too. I never thought of the toes heating,as I never trim Stormy's nails, he keeps them nice and tidy by wearing them down from his constant running around. ANd years ago when I showed dogs, i used the clippers and my dogs were done on a grooming table too. I think the 'starting all over' idea is the best, they just need to take it nice and slow. Great suggestions!