Dog Nail & Handling Care
Who would have thought that one of the things dog owners tell us they struggle with most is nail and grooming care??
I do get it because not all owners get their dogs as puppies, not all owners start the conditioning and handling process as soon as they should, and not all dogs are as tolerant of handling as others, and in all reality, most people don’t know that they are probably letting their dog’s “don’t touch me antics” work.
Here are a few things we find time and time again to be the actual struggle:
Dogs are not comfortable being handled, period. It often has very little to do with actually dremeling or clipping your dog's nails.
Most owners try to do this when their dog’s nails are at the point of desperately needing to be done.
Dogs have the opportunity to flee and run away from the situation; then, owners give up because they don’t want the fight.
People are focusing so heavily on getting their dogs to take treats while attempting to do their nails that their state of mind has spiked, or they don’t care about the treats, so owners feel like they have to give up.
Owners wait until vet visits to have their dog’s nails done, which is way too far and few between, and dogs are often already in a more stressed state, so the association of nails becomes no fun for anyone involved.
The sound of the clippers or dremel causes the dog to panic because they hear it infrequently, leading to them trashing around to get away and, most often, leading to owners waving the white flag.
Here’s what I want you to focus on:
Get your dog comfortable with you handling them, not just touching their paws. Practice putting them on their side. Have them on a leash at all times during this. Some owners find that they like having their dog standing on a table as if they were at a groomer.
Add this to your weekly work. If too much time passes between handling care, your dog doesn’t have enough experiences to create calmer patterns around it.
Do not allow them to flee. Leashes are your best friend. You have to mentally outwill your dog as well. Stay calm and confident. Minimal talking! You will HAVE to make it through a tough session for them to see the antics will not work, but they are also safe.
Use food only if it's benefiting the situation, not making it more chaotic. We prefer to use food at the end as a jackpot for a job well done.
Your vet isn’t a groomer, and they also don’t have time to get your dog comfortable with having their nails done. They will do their best, but if you struggle to do your dog’s nails, work on it; don't expect it to become your vet’s responsibility.
Work on getting your dog comfortable with the sounds, vibrations, feelings, etc. Here is a video to help with that:
We know that some dogs make it extremely challenging and even dangerous. When that is the case, muzzle condition your dog. Safety first, and it is a great skill to have.
We have worked with some challenging dogs regarding handling and nails. Sometimes, it is a massive struggle before it gets better. Once the dog realizes their thrashing, bite attempts, fleeing, and vocalizing does not get them out of it, they cycle down. It's not easy, but the progress and healthy state of mind we see after persevering is priceless and worth the tough stuff. If you need to see examples of more challenging sessions to help you with your dog, check out our subscription page on Instagram.
You will click “Subscription” on our main IG home page: https://www.instagram.com/kane9dogtraining/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=YzAwZjE1ZTI0Zg==
Here is a link to our favorite dremel: https://amzn.to/49oPHNS
Working through this with your dog will help build your relationship. It helps strengthen the trust and respect between dog and human, which is the best part of all this!! Good luck, see it through & happy handling!