nail clipping nightmare

[Jennifer Hughes]

Ahh, the little things in taking care of our dogs. Nail clipping is my current nemesis. Tanna will not let me near her feet with the clippers. I've tried it all, months and months of gentle foot rubbing, treats and clicks, letting she sniff the clippers, sneaking up on here when she is calm and relaxed, talking to her in a soft voice, talking to her in a firm voice. She gets stressed out and pants like crazy but will not let you do it. Similarly she won't let me trim the hair between her toes.

We were successful exactly once several months ago- after what felt like an eternity of trying, she finally lay on her back, my husband rubbed her tummy and I clipped. It went well until I accidentally cut the quick on the second last nail. Man, those nails bleed! That was the last time

So, tonight was another unsuccessful struggle. Well, not struggle, because I don't want to force her, or make her afraid of me. Should I give up and let her hate the groomer instead of me? Is there any hope?

[Lauren Frisbie]

I can't offer any hope, except keep doign what you're doing. We are currently "fighting" the same battle. I think it'll just get easier over time. Good luck,

[Rowena Fry]

Here, here! I can get about one nail done before she point blank refuses, or at the most half of a paw hair (between toes) clipped! I'm useless, so I've left it to the groomer to do it. And the thing is, she stands perfectly still for them! Cheeky puppy!

[Eric Vecc]

I give Bailey the tastiest of all treats. On a night when we cook chicken, I cut up pieces and put them in the dental kong. He is so happy laying there, I am able to quietly and gently clip his nails. He squirms a bit on every snip (which makes me wonder if it hurts him?) but I just keep going. I have been pretty successful with this method.

[Krysta Smith]

I have the same problem!! Lola used to be fine with it but one night I cut on of her nails and she yelped, although I hadn't cut the quick. Now, she struggles almost the entire time and she has progressed from whining to barking. I haven't hurt her since but she still throws a fit everytime. :confused: By the last foot though she's calmer and usually will just lay there. I always file her nails afterwards and she falls asleep!!

[Grace Erick]

Capri will turn her face away like when a person gets a vaccine and they don't want to see the needle go in.

[Jennifer Hughes]

I think I give up!

We tried again tonight to clip Tanna's nails. We managed to do a few nails by cornering her in the hallway and treating her constantly while Aric clipped. I feel awful because she is so stressed. She gets a little shy for the rest of the evening everytime we come near her, because she thinks we are going to try it again.

Anyways, because it is such a struggle and she has very hairy feet, it is hard to see which ones you have already clipped. So, Aric accidentally re-clipped a nail and of course, it bled everywhere. So now she is wearing a bandage on her foot (the styptic powder didn't work) and hopping around on 3 feet. It makes us feel awful but I think she is playing it up for extra sympathy! ;)

Anyways, if each time is going to be such an ordeal, and then she is scared of me for the next few hours, I think I quit! I'll leave to the professionals. Shame because I bought the clippers!

Argh.

[Jo Russell]

I would give up too, I think. What's the bet she's as good as gold for the groomers? You could always donate those clippers to the spca, humane society or a rescue or something...

My Pomeranian isn't keen on hairy toe and nail trimming... he tries to make a game of it (as he has tried to do with brushing), and can usually be done one nail at a time only. He doesn't slink away or cry or anything, just tries to play catch and hold me if you can!

The LabxSam I do while she's laid out on the couch next to me. She's most inelegant when relaxed on her back, legs in the air, but seems perfectly comfortable with me trimming her nails then. I left her feet alone the first few weeks she was with me, except for building up touching and stroking them, then had no prob's even the first time a clipped. She seems have an incredibly relaxed and accepting nature for just about everything.


Edited 'cause I meant to say I have guinea pigs too, and yep nails sure do bleed if you manage to hit the quick. :(