Dog Community

Nails?

Posted : 7/21/2008 5:12:49 PM

I know I've posted about this before, and I got a great response (a video on training to do nails with a clicker). And I believe that that training would have worked if Rafe wasn't already psychotic about getting his nails done. I can touch his paws and nails all I want and he really doesn't care, but any time I try to touch them with anything that remotely resembles nail clippers (like a pen) he goes off the deep end.

The best and worst he's been was yesterday. My trainer and I tried to clip his nails (she said that most dogs respond really well if their belly is rubbed a certain way when their nails are done, so I thought I'd try it). She did his two back feet and everything was fine (I was holding his head in my lap and scratching his belly and I don't think he really knew what was going on), but when she went for his front feet he just totally lost it. He started thrashing around and screaming and whining and we were both just trying to calm him down, but he definitely put his teeth on her. Of course then I was flustered and just tried to make him let go and he nicked me. He didn't break skin on her at all, although she did have indentions on her hand where you could tell he had clamped down a little, but he got me right above the nail where it bleeds really nicely...lol! I really don't think he meant to actually hurt me or her (I think that the only reason he actually brought blood was because of where it was). I didn't even know that it was me that was bleeding...definitely thought he'd bitten her!

So, I really need to figure out something. Does anyone have any ideas of what to do for a dog that goes completely nuts for nail trims? I have no idea what may have happened to him before I got him, but he's always been this way. The only time that he didn't put up a fight when we trimmed his nails was when he was knocked out to be neutered! I have tried desensitizing him to the clippers, but he doesn't care if they're sitting on the ground or even if I'm holding them. It's only when I'm (or someone else) is actually trying to clip the nails. Please help! lol!

jenns

Posted : 7/21/2008 5:19:25 PM

I have the same problem with Zack, I just posted about it in the grooming section. He acts like a complete lunatic when either the clipper or dremel approaches his feet, despite the desensitizing I've done. Your best bet is probably taking him to the groomer.

mudpuppy

Posted : 7/21/2008 5:51:38 PM

dremel? or some people teach the dog to claw at a piece of sandpaper and trim their nails themselves.

GoldenAC

Posted : 7/21/2008 6:07:51 PM

I like the idea of sandpaper!

You can try using a human nail file on the nail. A little bit each day. It will take awhile, but it will get them done.

Or, a groomer may work. Groomers clip nails when the dog is standing up, some dogs object less to this technique. However, be aware....if he won't let you do his nails, he may not let a groomer do his nails either.

AuroraLove

Posted : 7/21/2008 7:40:03 PM

Here is a pretty good thread from another forum that might be helpful.....

http://www.pitbullforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=97460

Workingdoglover

Posted : 7/21/2008 8:06:50 PM

The sandpaper idea sounds like a good one (went back to check out the other post). Getting a groomer to do it is pretty much out of the question. I take him to work with me to do his nails, and it takes 3 technicians, me, and one Dr or tech to clip. lol! A groomer wouldn't be any match for Rafe. And I've tried him every which way...standing up, sitting, lying down, etc. Doesn't really matter to him, it's all bad. A dremel is too similar to clippers, so that doesn't really work either. I think I'm going to try out this sandpaper idea and see how it works. I can do his nails the way I have been, but good grief...I'm afraid he's going to do some major harm to himself some day...heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd pass out because of the fuss he puts up. Thanks for the ideas everyone!