Braunschweiger (liverwurst), was a high-value treat suggestion in a different Susan Garrett post and it’s kicked our “nail trimming game” to a new level. I took two weeks to train my first dog to accept the sight, sound and feel of the tool vibrating against his body before I ever attached the sandpaper. Now my dog lies quietly on the floor with a package of liverwurst open in front of him. It’s an IYC game as he can look, but not touch; I control treat delivery by letting him lick a dab off the end of a butter knife each time I want to reward him. If he pulls away, the treats stop. He gets a few moments’ break when he needs it, but very quickly he begs to continue. One thing I’ve found that helps a lot is to take a firm hold of each individual nail as I trim it. That prevents unpleasant vibrations in his whole foot. Love this game and how it’s transformed my relationship with my dog at grooming time!
I tried our version of this today with my Shih Tzu.. Found out that one liked being on the floor and one at the end of the recliner. Focused only on treats today. Started out by only doing one foot then rotated dogs.After a rotation or 2 they wanted to stay until we finished. My 9 yr old who had been the fussiest started really liking the "game" and kept checking to see if it was his turn again. It took the 3 yr old a little longer since I had tried him on the floor but finally realized he was use to the end of the recliner. After the was on the end of the recliner he started liking the "game". Thanks, Susan!
Glad you found the video useful! Here is a little more all about our "game". susangarrettdogagility.com/2013/08/cutting-your-dogs-nails-how-important-is-it-really/
My Cavalier used to scream like I quicked him every time I used to the nail clippers on him. He used to climb on my face too. A few months ago I bought a dremel and taught him to let me use that. Now he just stands in the bathroom sink while I do it and waits for his treats.
This is so difficult with my minipincher 😢, she is 3 y.o. and she hates it, frustrated. She refuses any treat,even if she adores some.😞every time is a nightmare to cut her nails.
I watched a video once that talked how intimate it is for a dog to be groomed. And then I started watching Go Groomers' channel and the dogs she grooms seem to really enjoy it. I've implemented a lot of the techniques I heard from both those videos (and more on their websites) and it's help me with three out of 4 of my dogs. My fourth is still a work in progress... but she's coming around. (I think it's partly because she wants the one-on-one attention I'm giving to the others.) Hope that helps! Oh, and I give my dogs ice cubes if I feel they need more water but aren't interested in drinking it.
j'ai toujours leuré mon Drago comme cela, car il était effrayé au début, et maintenant quand je sort mes brosses et peignes, c'est toujours son tours! mdr
Braunschweiger (liverwurst), was a high-value treat suggestion in a different Susan Garrett post and it’s kicked our “nail trimming game” to a new level. I took two weeks to train my first dog to accept the sight, sound and feel of the tool vibrating against his body before I ever attached the sandpaper. Now my dog lies quietly on the floor with a package of liverwurst open in front of him. It’s an IYC game as he can look, but not touch; I control treat delivery by letting him lick a dab off the end of a butter knife each time I want to reward him. If he pulls away, the treats stop. He gets a few moments’ break when he needs it, but very quickly he begs to continue. One thing I’ve found that helps a lot is to take a firm hold of each individual nail as I trim it. That prevents unpleasant vibrations in his whole foot. Love this game and how it’s transformed my relationship with my dog at grooming time!
I tried our version of this today with my Shih Tzu.. Found out that one liked being on the floor and one at the end of the recliner. Focused only on treats today. Started out by only doing one foot then rotated dogs.After a rotation or 2 they wanted to stay until we finished.
My 9 yr old who had been the fussiest started really liking the "game" and kept checking to see if it was his turn again. It took the 3 yr old a little longer since I had tried him on the floor but finally realized he was use to the end of the recliner. After the was on the end of the recliner he started liking the "game". Thanks, Susan!
Glad you found the video useful! Here is a little more all about our "game". susangarrettdogagility.com/2013/08/cutting-your-dogs-nails-how-important-is-it-really/
May I ask how it works if you only have one dog? Do you shoo it away and let it back when it shows interest?
Thank you so much for showing me it IS possible, even if you have to try a lot of times to get it right. Persistence is the key!!! :)
Sue, you are many steps ahead of me. My Aussie doesn't like the sound of the Dremmel. I have to desensitise her to the sound first.
My Cavalier used to scream like I quicked him every time I used to the nail clippers on him. He used to climb on my face too. A few months ago I bought a dremel and taught him to let me use that. Now he just stands in the bathroom sink while I do it and waits for his treats.
Turning my dog on its back is gonna be a thing already. But what kind of nail trimmer do you use?
Brilliant!
This is so difficult with my minipincher 😢, she is 3 y.o. and she hates it, frustrated. She refuses any treat,even if she adores some.😞every time is a nightmare to cut her nails.
Good job in presenting this. After, I bathe my dog in the tub, he doest even want to go in there to drink his water for a while. any help with that?
I watched a video once that talked how intimate it is for a dog to be groomed. And then I started watching Go Groomers' channel and the dogs she grooms seem to really enjoy it. I've implemented a lot of the techniques I heard from both those videos (and more on their websites) and it's help me with three out of 4 of my dogs. My fourth is still a work in progress... but she's coming around. (I think it's partly because she wants the one-on-one attention I'm giving to the others.) Hope that helps! Oh, and I give my dogs ice cubes if I feel they need more water but aren't interested in drinking it.
What do you do if your dog won’t lay on its back, she’s already 2.5 years old and hated it since she was a pup. I could never get her to do it.
I’d still love to try this but again what do you do if they won’t lay on their backs
But can't get this to work on over 1/2 of my jack russells All the other breeds no problem
Nails done
j'ai toujours leuré mon Drago comme cela, car il était effrayé au début, et maintenant quand je sort mes brosses et peignes, c'est toujours son tours! mdr