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Post by freyja on Aug 9, 2012 16:44:56 GMT
If you have read my other thread you will know we have had a 4 year old chihuahua bitch Sally.
None of my dogs are bothered about having their claws cut they all sit happily while I do it. Sally on the other hand is terrible she hates haveing her paws touched. Her claws are in desperate need of cutting but she will not let me any were near them.
I do have her sitting with me at night and when she does I stroke her paws and she is getting better about that but if she sees me go anywere near either claw cutters or human nail cutters she goes mad.
Any tips on how I can cut her claws we are walking her on tar mac in the hope she will wear them down but 1 or 2 are that bad they really need cutting.
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Post by brodysmom on Aug 9, 2012 19:09:47 GMT
She must have been traumatized before you got her.
I would just be very business like and do it. It needs to be done so do it. But that is just me. I would wrap her in a towel if it helps immobilize her so you can cut the nails. If she gets snappy, you can put a sock on her head. That helps too as it covers their eyes, which decreases their fear reaction. And it keeps her from biting at you or the clippers.
Just be confident and take charge. Dogs sense fear and hesitation and it makes them worse. Once it's over you can give her a treat and reward. Once she sees that she can't squirm, bite, or squeal her way out of it, she will get used to it.
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Post by Missy on Aug 10, 2012 2:10:07 GMT
I have asked for a lot of advice on this forum about nail clipping, because one of my dogs was a terror about it. He would bite nonstop. Like Tracy said, I tried being businesslike and no-nonsense. Some people might not be okay with this, but I would just let him bite me and keep clipping. He eventually gave up because he realized biting wasn't going to get his way. I can now put him on his back and clip all of his nails without too much trouble.
You could also try just doing 1 nail per day. Get it done on a positive note and then reward her.
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Post by freyja on Aug 10, 2012 18:23:39 GMT
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Post by brodysmom on Aug 10, 2012 19:02:45 GMT
That's great news!! I think sometimes we dilly dally along, afraid to be firm, when we just need to buck up and do it. I know I have been guilty of that. Desensitizing them over time can work for some dogs, but it is a long and arduous process and sometimes doesn't work. I spent an afternoon with a professional groomer friend of mine and observed her cutting nails on a dozen dogs and was impressed with her confident, no nonsense approach. The dogs sensed it and responded. I just favor that approach of doing nails and getting it done and then get on with life.  |
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Post by freyja on Aug 10, 2012 19:10:32 GMT
That's great news!! I think sometimes we dilly dally along, afraid to be firm, when we just need to buck up and do it. I know I have been guilty of that. Desensitizing them over time can work for some dogs, but it is a long and arduous process and sometimes doesn't work. I spent an afternoon with a professional groomer friend of mine and observed her cutting nails on a dozen dogs and was impressed with her confident, no nonsense approach. The dogs sensed it and responded. I just favor that approach of doing nails and getting it done and then get on with life. The daft thing is if one of the whippets or iggies reacted as she did I would have just got on and done it but Sally is so tiny I think I was more concerned about hurting her. When we had first William my big show greyhound he hated having his claws done and it took 2 people to hold him down while I cut his claws but after a few time he got the meassage he wasn't going to get hurt and eventually would sit on the edge of the chair and hold his paws up while I cut his claws. Sadly he passed away 2 1/2 years ago after suffering from bloat but not showing any symptoms. |
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Post by Lucy on Aug 14, 2012 16:09:33 GMT
Glad to hear the firm approach is working! Sometimes it is just best to get straight in there! I had the same problem with Bogey and I was nervous because she is so much smaller but I got fed up of the wriggling and burning my fingers (I use a grinder) and now she sits and gets a treat afterwards lol.
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Post by Sarah on Aug 17, 2012 13:46:41 GMT
Well done! I use to use a grinder until I really hurt my daisy so in a wuss now and clip but daisy needs grinding  |
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