Redbelly Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 I adopted my boy in July 2020, aged 6. When I first got him he'd let me scale his teeth, clip his nails, brush his teeth. After about a month, he decided he didn't want his nails clipped, teeth scaled and barely tolerated the tooth brushing. I bought a Dremel and gradually acclimated him to that using peanut butter in a Kong to distract him. That worked well for several months, now he growls when licking the Kong if I try to Dremel his nails. So, in spite of always being gentle with him, he still doesn't trust that he isn't going to be hurt. So, my question is how to proceed. Just taking him to a groomer seems like a cop out - I feel like he needs to trust me enough to bandage his foot or pull out a thorn if needed. Anyone been down this road before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyRunDog Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 Going down it at the moment with Grace. I was using a nail grinder to do her nails and her corns until she decided that she didn't like that any more and would squeal and pull her foot back if I went anywhere near it. She only gets taken for her walks on grass or she wears boots because of her corns so her nails were getting very long. She has a check up every 3 months and nail clipping is included in her vet care plan so I asked them to do it. She ended up being sedated because she objected that much she was getting very stressed out. This week it was time for her check up and as it's 9 months since she last had her nails clipped she was booked in for sedation too. Luckily the vet who saw her this time is experienced with greyhounds and did it without sedating her although it was a two person job and I did hear one squeal while waiting in the car. Grace doesn't know it but she is booked in for monthly nail clipping sessions with that vet to get her desensitised. Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zimsmom Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Muzzle? Maya is 13 6/12 I still cannot get her nails trimmed via dremel or clippers. I have to bring her to local pet store and it takes 2 people to get this done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbelly Posted April 12, 2021 Author Share Posted April 12, 2021 Well, this is discouraging. I'm going to back up and see if I can use the peanut butter bribes to get him acclimated to having his feet touched. I've tried a muzzle and while it keeps him from biting, it totally freaks him out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyRunDog Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 6 hours ago, Redbelly said: Well, this is discouraging. I'm going to back up and see if I can use the peanut butter bribes to get him acclimated to having his feet touched. I've tried a muzzle and while it keeps him from biting, it totally freaks him out. Discouraging yes but according to my vet not insurmountable. She has got dogs over the problem in the past and is confident she will do this time and as she's one of those no nonsense tell it how it is people I believe her. Apparently one of the experienced nurses stands astride Grace, luckily she's a small greyhound, rubbing her tummy and keeping her distracted her while the vet clips her nails but without lifting her foot off the ground. Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 This recent post from Tricia McConnell about The Bucket Game and specifically dremeling reminded me of your situation. Time, patience, listening are so important. You can do it! Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbelly Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 3 hours ago, FiveRoooooers said: This recent post from Tricia McConnell about The Bucket Game and specifically dremeling reminded me of your situation. Time, patience, listening are so important. You can do it! Thank you for this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeyRunDog Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 17 hours ago, FiveRoooooers said: This recent post from Tricia McConnell about The Bucket Game and specifically dremeling reminded me of your situation. Time, patience, listening are so important. You can do it! Yes. Thank you and I'm going to give it a go although I might not have enough treats or kibble Quote Grace (Ardera Coleen) b. 18 June 2014 - Gotcha Day 10 June 2018 - Going grey gracefullyGuinness (Antigua Rum) b. 3 September 2017 - Gotcha Day 18 March 2022 - A gentleman most of the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbelly Posted May 24, 2021 Author Share Posted May 24, 2021 OP here. I thought I'd follow up on my progress. I found the post and video link from FiveRoooooers very helpful. I believe my dog was looking for assurance that he was still somewhat in control. When I'm having work done at the dentist, he says, "raise your hand anytime you need a break". That possibility helps me a lot. Similarly, I needed to give my pup an exit if he was uncomfortable. What has been working is to let him lick frozen peanut rubber out of a Kong while I Dremel his nails. When he stops licking and looks at me, I stop and let him regain composure. I'm making it clear that he needs to cooperate to get the treat, but at the same time giving him an option to stop when it gets uncomfortable. Fingers crossed that it continues to work for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerilyn Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 Great progress! And wonderful communication with your dog! Quote Jerilyn, missing Lila (Good Looking), new Mistress to Wiki (PJ Wicked). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 Wonderful!! Thank you for updating and keep up the totally great work Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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