Just holding his paws gently, he yelps like you are trying to kill him and runs away. I've been trying to work with him everyday, just rubbing his paws, not holding them, but he still runs away. What can we do? He's a mix, and about 1 year old, 40 pounds. We don't know anything about his past.
2006-12-16 00:34:59 · 15 answers · asked by starryhalo22 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
There is a possibility that he had something happen in his past, though it could just be that he's just afraid and doesn't know what those nail clippers are. My sister's dog is very much like that when he's going to have his nails clipped. He fights and struggles so much. As with any kind of training, reward him! If you can get some kind of harness to hold him in one place, and actually cut one nail, give him a reward. That may not be the best idea, but it is an option. Just keep giving him physical contact, and he'll get used to it. Keep doing this, and eventually he will realise that it doesn't hurt and it isn't scary. It may take some time, but be as gentle as possible. And whatever you do, don't get angry at him. It'll just make the situation worse. Lots of praise and rewards! My sister's dog does just fine when her husband clips his nails now.
2006-12-16 00:40:43 · answer #1 · answered by Enceladus 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Someone probably hurt his paws in his previous life. Is there a treat he really likes? Mine like string cheese. When he is nice and relaxed, get the treat and hold it near his nose. Touch his paw very gently and briefly. Say Yes and give him a small bit of the treat. Each time he allows you to touch his paw, give him a treat and say Yes. If you have lots of patience, he will begin to associate something good happening when you touch his paws. Slowly, you will be able to handle his paws more and he will become less afraid.
It will take some time because he is so afraid. After a while, let him smell the clippers. Give him a treat. Say Yes. Start slowly with lots of treats and just apply a little pressure with the clippers, but do not clip. Take baby steps. Eventually, he may allow you to clip his nails.
2006-12-16 00:45:42 · answer #2 · answered by kelli123 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is not overly important to accomplish the clipping as soon as possible, try waiting a few days before attempting anything at all. My dog was 3 1/2 months when I got her from a shelter and she did the exact same thing. We waited a few days before trying again...and of course it didn't work then (but she did basically "forget" the last time I tried). After a few more attempts, we tried doing just her front paws while she stayed in her "house" (her cage that has become her safe place to go whenever she wants...she even chooses to sleep in it when we are gone) and that seemed to do the trick. Perhaps your dog has a safe place too? Try it and see if that helps. Good Luck!
2006-12-16 00:42:16 · answer #3 · answered by Kim 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you're probably doing exactly the right thing. We have a three year old mixed breed that we brought home from the pound when she was 6 months old. She had a similar reaction - if you touched her on the nose on purpose or by accident, she would yelp and fall to the floor. Sometimes she wouldn't move for 15 minutes or more. We thought she had some kind of neurological problem, but I did the same thing - rubbed her nose and face and ears frequently so that she would get used to it. After about 6 months she didn't react anymore.
In the meantime, you may want to take him to the vet to have his nails clipped.
2006-12-16 00:41:09 · answer #4 · answered by msbliss 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He has definitely been "hurt" before. Someone "clipped" his nails and hurt him. You know how that feels, if you break a nail too close to the skin. Well dogs have 1000 more feelings in their "paws" then we have in our hands. The paws tell the animal all kinds of important things, hot,cold,sharp,wet,dry,etc,. So I would suggest, that you take the dog to a groomer, they are th best when it comes to "clipping" the nails, as they see and maintain a large variety of animals. It is expensive, 5-10 dollars. A small price to pay to keep the dog from "panicking". He is only a little guy, 40lbs so if he is getting enough exercise, outdoors, his nails should not need to be clipped very often. Remember, your dog Walks on his Paws, so every time you clip his nails, he has to readjust is gainer again. Good Luck. Here's a Christmas Gift for you: go to iVillage.com - its FREE and get the "dog scopes" newsletter, if you know your dog's date of birth it is very amusing, as it is a horoscope for dogs and you can also it this for "cats". LOL
2006-12-16 00:45:28 · answer #5 · answered by peaches 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a shelter dog, he probably had some nasty things done to his paws judging by how he acts. Try rubbing him all over his body, starting with his head. Give him lots of praise throughout. Use approach and retreat, by running your hand a little farther down his leg each time. If he runs away, let him rest for a few minutes but don't give up and keep trying!
2006-12-16 00:42:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of dogs tend to not like nail clippings, even if they don't come from a shelter. A friend of mine has a purebred from a breeder and he growls and almost bites if you try to trim his nails. I suggest that you keep working with him, and calmly assure him that it is okay. Maybe someone cut his nails too short (which is very painful) once and now he is afraid of being hurt again. If it doesn't work, you can take him to a vet or groomer. A nail trim costs about $6.
2006-12-16 00:43:39 · answer #7 · answered by iloveeeyore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try clipping his nails while he is asleep. If he is a sound sleeper you might be able to do it if you move very lightly. I can do this with my 2 year old Chocolate lab who hates to have his nails clipped. Another trick we learned is clipping his hind paws first. My dog is fine with this because he doesn't seem to understand what we are doing. Of course when we clip the front paws he is a little scared. Positive reinforcement is the key. Have a cookie nearby to reward him after you clip.
Also if you still cannot clip his nails walk him regularly on concrete, it tends to ware down a dog's nails.
2006-12-16 03:24:56 · answer #8 · answered by Arast 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have a little Long Hair Chihuahua and he does the same. What I do is gently rub his paws when I hold him. Also, he gets upset if I cut my own nails. SOMETIMES after I cut mine, if he watched, he will let me cut his. At the groomer he lets one person hold him and the other clip hie nails.
2006-12-16 01:03:59 · answer #9 · answered by Laurie M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had the same problem with my dog as well she is s Chow Red-bone mix. it took two people to cut her nails for the longest of time but she did come out of it just will take alot of love and Patience. Unfortunately you will never know you lil pups past but you can make the future a bright and loving one for him
2006-12-16 00:46:47 · answer #10 · answered by the_wind_walk_with_you_n_peace 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋