I had been trimming Olive's nails easily from when we first got her at 8 weeks, up to last month, when she turned 10 months old. Before, she always just laid on her back and I trimmed all four paws with no problems. She even looked bored about the entire thing. And, there was never a pinch or any kind of pain. Suddenly, she will absolutely not allow this. She struggles violently when I try to just hold a paw. Trimming the fur was a nightmare. Last night we ganged up on her and two of us together couldn't trim even one nail. We quit trying because we thought she might get hurt during her struggling. She doesn't try to bite, or growl, or do anything seen as agressive; she just tries to get away. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this behavior just appeared out of nowhere, and what do to about it?
Can't trim Olive's nails!
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Jess041
Forums Enthusiast
Is there a possibility you got the quick one of the last times you trimmed her nails? She might be afraid that will happen again. Will bribing her with food work? Wooden spoon full of peanut butter? It never worked for me.. but our trainer suggested it.
I had no accidents with her previous trimmings. Her nails are small, and easy to trim. She practically fell asleep while I did it. I haven't tried food, but I doubt it would work, given the level of struggling. She gets what I would call hysterical! I'll give it a try, though. thanks!
SheltieChe
Forums Sage
sometimes it is hard to figure out why it changed.
Here is route how my boys were trained and they like their nail clipping now, fighting who gets in first. Scroll down for Nail Trimming game clip
http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/04/does-your-dog-training-need-a-shot-of-joy/
Here is route how my boys were trained and they like their nail clipping now, fighting who gets in first. Scroll down for Nail Trimming game clip
http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2012/04/does-your-dog-training-need-a-shot-of-joy/
To add to Olive's behavior (yes, same Olive - I live in the same house), while she absolutely will not let us trim her nails, she doesn't have any problems with me handling her feet outside of a grooming session. I can pluck burrs off her feet during a walk, pick up her feet during obedience class, etc, and she couldn't care less.
We're taking her to the vet today for a nail trimming and a once-over to rule out any foot/legs issues. Given it's all four feet she has issues with, it seems unlikely it's medical, but we're going to make sure.
We're taking her to the vet today for a nail trimming and a once-over to rule out any foot/legs issues. Given it's all four feet she has issues with, it seems unlikely it's medical, but we're going to make sure.
Interesting. I watched that video once before, when I purchased a Dremel for Olive's nails. She continued to be very afraid of it, so I went back to a regular dog nail trimmer. I had, however, forgoteen about the 'joy' part. My challenge now will be to pick something that has high enough value, and isn't used for other things. Thanks!
take4roll10
Moderator
Something similar happened to my girl. She is okay with the nail dremel, but out of no where she decided she doesn't like me using the electric razor to trim the fur between her pads. She will thrash and kick to stop me from using it.
Now I have to use a tiny scissor, which takes much longer. She'll still try to stop me from trimming her paws with scissors, but she is much more tolerant of it than the razor. I'm not sure why she won't let me use the razor anymore. She didn't have an issue in the past and I've never cut her.
Now I have to use a tiny scissor, which takes much longer. She'll still try to stop me from trimming her paws with scissors, but she is much more tolerant of it than the razor. I'm not sure why she won't let me use the razor anymore. She didn't have an issue in the past and I've never cut her.
lovemyshelties
Forums Enthusiast
I know EXACTLY what you're dealing with. Same thing here with our Zoey. It's like overnight she said "no way, you're not doing that to me!"
We tried a lot of things and settle on giving her 6 mg (1/4 of 25 mg pill) of ACE about one hour prior to her nail trim. Then I sit on the floor with her and my hubby distracts her with some yummy treats. Works like a charm.
You definitely don't want to keep struggling with her because the more you do the more scared and defensive she'll get and she'll always have a negative association with nail trimming.
Ask you vet for some ACE and keep it on hand. I swear by it.
We tried a lot of things and settle on giving her 6 mg (1/4 of 25 mg pill) of ACE about one hour prior to her nail trim. Then I sit on the floor with her and my hubby distracts her with some yummy treats. Works like a charm.
You definitely don't want to keep struggling with her because the more you do the more scared and defensive she'll get and she'll always have a negative association with nail trimming.
Ask you vet for some ACE and keep it on hand. I swear by it.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Yeah, this is what I do. I try not to wrestle the dogs, but treat and hold them down only as long as they are willing. Invariably the treat bag brings, at least, Indy back for "seconds" of grooming.
For sure though, when they see the grooming bag come out they both run!