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Does any one out there have any ideas on what I can do to clip his nails.

We've only had him for 2 months so this is our first experience with clipping his nails. He hates it, he'll nip and wiggle and generally freak out. I've heard that professional groomers will truss him up so he can't bite or scratch and I really don't want that done to him. Is this true? I'd like to hear from someone who has had some experience with this.

JoJo's Mom

>>Does any one out there have any ideas on what I can do to clip his nails.
>>
>>We've only had him for 2 months so this is our first experience with clipping his nails. He hates it, he'll nip and wiggle and generally freak out. I've heard that professional groomers will truss him up so he can't bite or scratch and I really don't want that done to him. Is this true? I'd like to hear from someone who has had some experience with this.
>>
>>JoJo's Mom

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Good groomers don't truss dogs up, no! I mean, it might be necessary in an extreme case, but it sounds like your source is dealing with some people you shouldn't trust to groom any dog!

A groomer can handle the job until you've conditioned your dog to let you do it. Use treats--lots of tiny treats, and keep them flowing, don't be stingy with the treats!--to slowly get the dog used to the aspects of nail trimming. Meanwhile have a GOOD professional groomer do the nails, or your veterinarian's office can do them.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

Hi,

Try to de-sensitize your dog by massaging his legs and paws while you speak gently and soothingly. After you get him to accept this, run the nail clippers over his feet, again while speaking soothingly. This may sound fast and easy, but it's not. It can take a long time, but one of the things you should do is stop when he starts getting overly anxious. Build the trust slowly. Then, just clip one toenail and stop there. It's so important that you do all of this in tiny increments so that you build up and then maintain his trust.

As for 'trussing' by groomers, I'm not sure what that means. Grooming is usually done on a table with an arm from which a loose 'noose' hangs. This is meant as a miminal kind of restraint that is more psychological for the dog than physical. Sometimes this system is supplemented by extra tethers that restrain the pet's movement further. This is in no way cruel to the dog- it restricts the movement for the safety of the dog, the groomer, and any other 'creatures' in the shop. Also, sometimes muzzles will be used- again for the safety of all involved.

Groomers are not miracle workers. There are no magic methods available to them for getting 'freaked out' dogs to allow their nails to be cut. Although some dogs are indeed much more well-behaved in a shop when the owner is gone, chances are also that if your dog freaks out at home while you attempt to cut his toenails, he will be the same way for a groomer. In extreme cases, some dogs actually have to be tranquilized to have their nails done. So it's to the benefit of all if that radical step can be avoided and the desensitizing can be done at home. If not, step 2 is at the groomer's with the necessary restraint. Restraining dogs is something that's necessary to all groomers. It's in no way cruel.

Thanks for your advice. I have started de-sensitizing him and it is indeed a slow process. We are at the point where I can touch his paws without him freaking out.

I understand the groomer isn't being cruel and JoJo will nip at anyone who attempts to clip his nails so he would have to wear a muzzle, but my little guy has been in 2 shelters and 3 homes in his short 2.5 year life and I'm working hard to bond with him and I am afraid that any traumatic event will be a set back and believe me, being restrained in any form will be a traumatic event for him.

I've got a greyhound that hated having her nails clipped. I gave her lots of treats and she would let me do them. When I'm sitting with her watching TV or just petting, I continually play with her feet. She's getting better all the time.

Our vet can do it easily, but she doesn't appreciate me doing it very well. If you can't do it, I would suggest a trip to the vet every 4-6 weeks and let them do it. Better than fighting with him.

Good luck and come back and tell us more about your JRT!
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
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