[Dailydrool] Nail Trims

[saraberry at aol.com]

I think the secret to nail trims is to get in and get out, and to use a high speed electric dremel paired with a high value treat, such as peanut butter or Easy Cheese.

If your dog is already afraid of nail trims, then I think you change the position and placement of the dog.  If you used to do nails on the bed, move to a grooming table, if you used to use a grooming table move to the bed and turn them upside down.  Change up the environment.

Then go to a dogshow and ask a showperson to watch them dremel the dog's nails. 

Then when you start, one person squirts cheese into their mouths and soothes them, while the other starts with one back foot and dremels quickly, and stop before they even realize what you are doing and cheese them some more.

Some dogs may even show fear when you touch their feet.  Here is a list of steps to make sure the dog is ok with each step before proceeding further.  Frequent treats at each step and if you see concern or fear, stop and back up to a previous step.

1. Touching upper leg with your hand.
2. Holding the upper leg for a second and releasing.
3. Touching a foot with your hand.
4. Holding the back right foot for a second and releasing.
5. Holding the back two feet, one at a time and releasing.
6. Holding long enough that if you were trimming a nail you would get some done.
7. Touching the nail and holding it like you would trim it.
8. Moving around to different feet.
9. Getting out the dremel and showing it to the dog.
10. Turning the dremel on low.
11. Turning the dremel on higher until high.
12. Touching the dremel to one nail.
13. Dremeling one nail.
14. Dremeling back right foot.

And from here, I would only do one foot at a time until the dog is relaxed and totally comfortable.  Front feet seem to work better when they are looking at something and not the dremel.  Watch for feet pads, ears and tail to stay out of the way.  The goal is for no pain, no bleeding and no undue restraint.  Calm relaxed trimming with treats.

The dremel takes a little knowledge on your part, but the dogs like it sooooo much better than the clipper and it will be easier to get your dog's nails shorter.  Just dremel around the edge taking off the layer of hard nail ridge so that the center can wear down, if you are not sure of the quick.  Many dogs will love the treats that come with this so much, that they will actually start to offer their paws and be very relaxed even on grooming tables.

This You Tube video shows how to get them to let you handle their paws with no fear.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhdNu-HF6LQ

This You Tube video shows how to use the dremel itself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9mSv58G_JE&feature=related (Note: in this demo the dog is standing, but that is not necessary.  Also, one safety factor in dremeling is that you can usually dremel back as far as the hollow part under the claw extends.  If that is just a little, then dremel just a little the first time.  If there is quite a claw with the hollow underneath, you can dremel that all off.)

Best*

Sara
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.dailydrool.org/pipermail/dailydrool-dailydrool.org/attachments/20091228/d72a4cf9/attachment-0002.htm>