Nail trimming success

Share your experience and tell us how using positive reinforcement training methods has changed yours and your dogs' lives.

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ClareMarsh
Posts: 2008
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:11 am
Location: London, UK

Nail trimming success

Post by ClareMarsh »

Since getting Ted I've had to get his nails clipped a couple of times, this first I went to someone a friend recommended and they did a good job but he was so young I don't think he knew what was happening and they didn't allow customers to be with the dog (they did the clipping in seconds and he was in my view but still) and it was an hours round trip (traffic was horrific but that's London for ya). The second we went closer to home and and again recommended but I was less than impressed, she started out trying to get Ted to stand clipped to a stand to have it done and I put a stop to that as he was clearly not happy and held him covering his face and she dealt with the clipping, by the end he was wriggly and not happy.

Sooooo I've invested in some nail clippers and read all the threads on here about clipping (especially the Noobs one and another that linked to a practical guide) and today we have successfully clipped two nails :D I didn't intend to do anything other than introduce the clippers and having them around his nail but he seemed so relaxed on the second time round I just snipped one. He stayed relaxed throughout but I figured two was enough for one day. I've done them with him lying on his back on my lap as that is how I got him used to me handling his feet and trimming his paw fur so we were already half way there but I am still really pleased.

Thanks to the posters and advice givers on all the threads re clipping :D
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
JudyN
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Re: Nail trimming success

Post by JudyN »

Well done :D

He'll soon be relaxed enough for you to give him a full manicure and French polish :D
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
ClareMarsh
Posts: 2008
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:11 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Nail trimming success

Post by ClareMarsh »

Paw number two done (including the dreaded dew claw) in one sitting :D He still seemed relaxed at the end but didn't want to push my luck.

As for nail salon treatments Judy, Ted takes up so much of my time I haven't painted my own nails in months :shock: so I'm first in line for that if I ever get round to it :roll:
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
bendog
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Re: Nail trimming success

Post by bendog »

Yay well done

I think you are setting Ted up to be a very happy dog, so much better doing things properly from the start than having to fix problems later on!

You sure your not tempted to paint his nails, I think pink would suit him!

Image
ClareMarsh
Posts: 2008
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:11 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Nail trimming success

Post by ClareMarsh »

bendog wrote:I think you are setting Ted up to be a very happy dog, so much better doing things properly from the start than having to fix problems later on!

You sure your not tempted to paint his nails, I think pink would suit him!
I hope I am, and it's all because of this forum, so that day that he was attacked by an out of control dog (thankfully doing no mental of physical damage of which I am aware) happened for a reason or I might have drifted into the world of dominance :shock:

Oh that poor Chi, see this is what give chihuahuas a bad name, idiotic owners, I mean you just wouldn't do that to a Great Dane would you? Although the more episodes of IMOTD I watch the less things surprise me, WHY DO PEOPLE GET DOGS IF THEY AREN'T INTENDING TO WALK THEM? Sorry rant over :oops:
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
bendog
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Re: Nail trimming success

Post by bendog »

I mean you just wouldn't do that to a Great Dane would you?
Wouldn't you?

Image

I do know what you mean though. Really winds me up when dogs aren't looked after properly. Just feeding your dog, and perhaps walking it occasionally ISN'T ENOUGH!
ClareMarsh
Posts: 2008
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:11 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Nail trimming success

Post by ClareMarsh »

bendog wrote:
I mean you just wouldn't do that to a Great Dane would you?
Wouldn't you?
Nooooooooooooooooooo :cry:
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
JudyN
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Re: Nail trimming success

Post by JudyN »

ClareMarsh wrote:Nooooooooooooooooooo :cry:
That's what I thought - that is sooo last year's colour :(

Seriously, though, I don't know if we should be too quick to criticise. As long as the dog doesn't object to being tarted up, he probably enjoys the attention and approval, and it's all good handling practice. Better than minimal walking and being ignored the rest of the time!
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
ClareMarsh
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Location: London, UK

Re: Nail trimming success

Post by ClareMarsh »

I see where you're coming from Judy but it's a sorry state of affairs if the best interaction a dog gets from its owner is painting its nails :shock:

I can report however that Ted now has had all his nails clipped with no fuss whatsoever, the last two I've sorted the fur out then the nails on the same day so in total its taken me 5 days, 2 days for the first paw then a day each for the rest. Whilst it doesn't matter if I always have to do it like this it may be that I can get through more the more used to it he gets, although I don't want to push my luck. I realise its much easier with such a tiny dog as the nails clip easily but I am still really pleased to be able to do this for him so I don't have to hand him over to strangers who are on a tight timetable and more likely to stress him :D
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
bendog
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Re: Nail trimming success

Post by bendog »

awww, bless.
I'm sure the more used he is to the clippers and to having his feet handled the quicker you will get it done.
I'm always scared of nail clipping, clipped a pups nails one and nicked one :(

Ben gets hand stripped by my Nan's friend at my Nan's house so it's not a very stressful experience and she clips his nails at the same time.
He's quite chilled out about it, and is always happy to see the lady who strips him.
bendog
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Re: Nail trimming success

Post by bendog »

Oh, and Judy, yes, perhaps the dogs enjoy the attention. But I suspect that people who do paint their dogs nails and dress them up etc are the type of people who baby their dog and don't give them enough mental or physical exercise anyway. I'm guilty of dressing Ben up once or twice for a laugh and some funny photos. But at the end of the day, dogs are dogs, not people.
ClareMarsh
Posts: 2008
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:11 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Nail trimming success

Post by ClareMarsh »

bendog wrote: I'm always scared of nail clipping, clipped a pups nails one and nicked one :(

Ben gets hand stripped by my Nan's friend at my Nan's house so it's not a very stressful experience and she clips his nails at the same time.
He's quite chilled out about it, and is always happy to see the lady who strips him.
I was totally scared of nail clipping, especially as I am up against EVERY SINGLE nail being black but after seeing two groomers do them and being less than comfortable with Ted's reaction each time I thought I should get over my fear. I've no doubt a groomer would do them shorter and the need would be less often but I think that it's better I just take a little off more regularly :D

I never realised that stripping was stressful for dogs (never thought about it really and border terriers were on my list of potential dogs :shock: ) then Ted's friend Mojo's owner (I never learn the owner's name, only the dog :lol: ) told me how Mojo gets completely freaked out by stripping, she's had to change the groomer :D
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
bendog
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Re: Nail trimming success

Post by bendog »

I don't think stripping necessarily is stressful. A lot of dogs like it, in a way its similar to a massage. I don't think Ben actually likes it. But he tolerates it.

The issue with Ben is he wouldn't like being in a strange place (like a groomers) with strange dogs, and left alone with no-one he knows for possibly several hours. Which is the case with professional groomers(plus it's very expensive!). If I could strip him myself I would, but I don't know how.

This way, he is the only dog, and its a place he goes often, and I and my Nan are usually in the room with him. He isn't even restrained in any way, he just stands on the counter top. I think the sound of clippers would be more scary to him than being stripped by hand.
ClareMarsh
Posts: 2008
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:11 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Nail trimming success

Post by ClareMarsh »

I know what Ben means about groomers, the second one I took Ted to had dogs in cages all over the place and whilst she did Ted's nails she left a poor Lhasa hooked on a table clearly stressed. My boyfriend confessed that whilst the groomer and I were dealing with Ted he was feeding liver treats to the Lhasa so it wouldn't cry and upset Ted. It just didn't feel like a nice place for him to be, so it's great that you have somewhere for Ben to go that he feels comfortable :D
Proud owner of Ted and baby Ella
My blog about Ted http://tinkerwolf.com/
Ted's Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Tinkerwolf
Ted's You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTedVids
louisewomble
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:04 pm

Re: Nail trimming success

Post by louisewomble »

I clipped Tanner's nails yesterday. I'd done it many times before with cats and a few times for dogs. His nail were getting caught in everything - including the carpets as he walked. I only took a little bit off to start withand they are much better now.

My OH mum has a Bichon and he hates the groomer - he comes home all subdued and is quiet for a couple of days. I really don't know why she continues to use them as he is clearly not happy there!

I have a friend who trims her dogs and will speak to her about clipping him if I need to! It's a bit unknown as to what his coat is going to be like tbh...... he is a Yorkie x Chi and his coat is a bit fluffy, but only time will tell how much!
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