They get so long that we have to take him to the vet where it takes 3 large vet techs and a muzzle to control him enough to have them clipped. Unfortunately he is also terrified of the vet so bringing him there regularly is also a tramatic event. We attempeted to clip them at home, where we figured he would be more comfortable, and he (who normaly is a very kind sweet dog) nearly snapped at me as I attempted to clip his front paws. He was shaking and had his tail between his legs the whole time. They are long and we fear that it will soon hurt him to walk/run around... Does anyone else have this problem and any suggestions on how to resolve it? We would rather not have to have him knocked-out to have it done...
2006-07-04 10:21:06 · 13 answers · asked by lil miss can't be wrong 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It probably cheaper that him to a dog groomer and they are very experienced at clipping nails. If you do take him to the groomer though, you might want to warn the groomer about his paranoia.
I have been told to, while the dog is laying with you on the couch or you guys are cuddling or whatever gently touch and massage his paws all the time he's there with you or as long as he'll allow. Let him get desensitized to getting touched on his paws.
One more thing. If you walk your dog often out on the sidewalk or street that will help to keep his nails filed down. You can also play frisbee or ball where he gets to run a lot that will also help his nails. Good luck!
2006-07-04 10:33:33 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly_from_Texas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs have phobias just like people. I have seen a few dogs like this come into the clinic where I work. There is no helping them. You need sedation. It's cheap and easy. Very safe too.
You can try to desensitize him to the process, it might not work and it will take months, maybe years.
First, don't put the clippers away. Leave them near his food, bed toys, just on the floor. Move them around, let him get used to them showing up where he least expects it. Praise him for ignoring them. Pick them up, let him see you holding them and put them down. Do that a few times a week. When he doesn't flinch and run, pet him while holding them. Then pet him with the clippers. Praise and treat bravery. You are still nowhere near being ready to clip a nail.
While he is getting used to the clippers just showing up, start handling his feet. While he is calm and sleepy, slowly run your hand down from his shoulder to his foot. Slip him a treat and praise for bravery. If he freaks and leaves, no praise, no treat. Eventually he will start to understand that attention to his feet means he gets a treat. Have everyone in the family make this a habit. Try to get 2-3 foot touches in per day or more as he becomes more comfortable.
This is going to take awhile. be patient, and consistent.
Only when the dog stays calm and sleepy when you slide the clippers down the dogs shoulder toward his foot should you attempt clipping. Pet, slide, clip, all in one smooth motion. Only one nail. If you get it go crazy!! He did it!!! GOOD BOY he gets lots of treats. Try another nail tomorrow. Same results.
Good Luck
2006-07-04 17:48:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He obviously suffered some traumatic event that makes him terrified of having his nails clipped. If you can get him to let you clip them, it may be a long, slow process. And, be *very sure* you don't slip with the clippers and hurt him accidentally - that would only set you back.
You said he "nearly" snapped at you. The fact he didn't snap at once may be your opportunity. Have a family member he is close to hold him, stroking him and soothing him in a soft, gentle voice, then try to clip one of his *back* claws (where he will have a harder time snapping, if he decides to). If he lets you, *stop*. Give him a treat, pet him, and praise him. After he is happy, repeat the process with a second back claw. Be *very*, *very* patient, and praise him every second he lies still and lets you clip. If he would find it soothing, you or a family member could sing to him.
Gradually, you may be able to win his trust this way, and let him see that trimming his nails isn't some terrible plot to hurt him. In the meantime, you will have to be as gentle as you can, and have a helper (or two, or three) to hold *and* soothe him. Taking him to the vet to have this done, a scary experience in itself, is only strengthening his opinion that the procedure is a negative one. The longer that you do this, the harder the battle will be to win his trust.
One final suggestion - there is a set of natural "medicines" called the Bach Flower Remedies. There are other brands and types, but the Bach remedies themselves are more effective. Several of these remedies can be used to help calm a frightened, nervous, or upset animal. They *don't* knock the animal out, they just help him to calm down. I don't know the exact remedy, or blend of remedies, that would be most effective in your exact situation. If you are lucky, your vet will be open to trying alternative therapies, and can tell you which one(s) to use, or can recommend you to someone who can.
If not, you may want to look for another vet; in my sad experience, a vet who won't consider alternative therapies in a desperate situation like this may also be too wrapped up in his or her own expertise. (Such as the vet who told me my beloved cat was "just getting old", and it was nothing to worry about. It turned out he had kidney disease, which went untreated far too long. I wish I'd found my present vet sooner.)
2006-07-04 17:45:39 · answer #3 · answered by Riothamus Of Research ;<) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would muzzle him for your own safety. It may be less traumatic on him to let the vet do them as it owuld not be associating this task with you.
Some dogs just have real prblems with this.
I start mine when they are tiny pups and trim them every two weeks. We hold them down and do it and then give treats after. We reassure them while we are working but speed is sort of the key. Clip fast and move on fast.
Having the vet your dog may be the best answer or having a groomer do them. At least this way you are not the bad guy.
2006-07-04 17:36:27 · answer #4 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to run around on cement everyday and you will never ever need to worry about taking him to get his nails clipped again. I take my Dobies out every night to run. They have a thing about chasing a laser light. Find some place safe where you can run your dog and something he loves to chase. The difference of them just walking and running is when they are chasing something they tend to dig in with their nails and the cement naturally files the nails to the proper length. All it takes is about 15 minutes of your time and if you cant do it every day at least 3 or 4 times a week will do it. Not just for his nails but for his over all health the exercise will do him good. He will love you all the more for it.
2006-07-04 19:02:46 · answer #5 · answered by hersheynrey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold your dog's paw everyday and rub it gently, like a paw massage. He may be scared at first, but he'll get used to it, and soon he will like it. Once you think he won't be scared of you holding his paw, try doing that and holding the nail clipper too. If he gets scared, try it again next time with a happy and gentle voice. If he relaxes, give him a small treat. Once that is done, you can try clipping his nails. But make sure it is a good experience for him, or you will have to start over again.
2006-07-04 17:52:58 · answer #6 · answered by Christine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go slow. Obviously he had a traumatic experience before you got him and now each time you clip his nails, it's still a traumatic experience.
Start by giving him extra attention and treats when you touch his paws. Keep doing this until he is comfortable. Then, try holding his paws as you would for clipping. Again, keep doing this until he is comfortable. Then get him accustomed to seeing the clippers. Again, lots of love, attention and treats, but don't try to clip him.
Eventually, you keep moving in small stages until you can clip ONE nail. Give him loads of praise when you are able to do this. Keep advancing slowly, one nail at a time.
This may take months, but it will be worth it. In the meantime, you'll have to keep clipping his nails at the vet. To make this less traumatic, YOU should meditate or relax before taking him. He is sensing your anxiety.
2006-07-04 17:27:46 · answer #7 · answered by hollylitespeed 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If he's full grown its too late to coax him into getting them clipped. Try as much as possible with reassurance that he will be okay. Probably what happened was that his nails were clipped too short and he has a bad memory of it. My JRT is the same way but we take him to PetCo to get them clipped because we can't stand the thought of hurting him. Hope this helps! Good luck!
2006-07-04 17:25:09 · answer #8 · answered by Cassie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor thing. We rally do not know what the poor dears have been thorugh when we adopt them.
You can limit the need for clipping if you walk him regularly on the street or sidewalk.
2006-07-04 17:27:16 · answer #9 · answered by Celtic Tejas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
taking my dogs for walks on paved roads helps keep them filed down. we do that on a daily basis. you might start with getting him used to lying down with you, then get him used to lying down with the nail clippers, from there, try clipping one nail at a time, win his trust. He will sense if you are scared, and he will get scared or protective.
2006-07-06 20:18:49 · answer #10 · answered by Krista 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋