posted 11-09-2003 08:13 PM           

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Hello. I have a 8 month old Sheltie that will not let me cut her nails. I have been doing this ever since I got her and she never reacted so harshly to me trimming her nails before. Last time I tried she kept moving around and yelping. What can I do?

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From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-09-2003 09:57 PM         

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Hi Erin, My pup Witt was like this, he had not had his nails trimmed before I got him and I suspect he hadn't had his feet handled either. I fought with him for a while trying different things, he would just get even more combative and afraid and started biting. I had to muzzle him a few times even. Finally I backed off for a couple weeks, then approached him again, but this time I just sat with him on the floor and massaged his feet with lotion. I just used my own body lotion (sweet pea scent even lol)and rubbed it into his pads. He wasn't thrilled but it wasn't an all out fight and after a couple weeks of doing this every night he really was enjoying it. I brought the nail clippers out one day and just held his paw and clipped one nail then let go. He was upset and walked in a circle for a minute kinda squirming around, but when I called him to me he came and I did another nail. I repeated this through both front feet, praising him with exagerated "good boys", petting and treats. When it came to his back feet he just layed down on the floor and let me do it all at once. I was so shocked. Each time I have done his nails since, it has gotten better. My daughter even painted his toenails one day much to my dismay! I don't know if it was a trust thing and it just took him that long to decide I wasn't going to hurt him or if...and more likely, he was being stubborn and I just held out longer than he did and he finally said "GEEZZZ I give up!" Whichever..he still enjoys the foot massages with the lotion and it keeps his pads from cracking.

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posted 11-10-2003 06:45 AM         

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Oh dear. I'll have to try this. I say "oh dear" because I get to endure That Look from my husband again, when he notices me massaging the dog's feet....

Jamiya

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