Dear Dog Lady,
Nail trimming had always been easy with Saint, my 5-month-old Saint Bernard. I accidentally cut one of his nails too short and it bled. Since then he has been fearful and I have been tentative when I try to cut his nails. Can we mend our ways?
Please advise,
Guilty Mom
Dear Guilty Mom,
Nail trimming accidents are a common problem with novice dog owners and their puppies. Follow these steps over the next six weeks to repair your confidence and his.
• Teach Saint to stay still in the down position. Scratch his throat and chest from time to time to show him you are pleased.
• Slide one hand down his front leg to his foot. Gently and briefly squeeze his foot, while you scratch his throat and chest with your other hand to show him he is doing well and to distract him.
• Repeat this three to five times and then move onto the other feet. Repeat this exercise until he is no longer anxious or attempts to pull his foot away (probably one to two weeks).
• Next, place your middle and forefinger on the pad of one of his toes and your thumb on top of his toe (the furry side). Press lightly so his nail extends. Release and repeat three to five times with each toe on that foot and then proceed to the other three feet. Repeat until he is relaxed while you do this.
• Follow the above steps again, but now hold the nail trimmers in your one hand. Open and squeeze them so he becomes used to the sound.
• Now, lightly tap each toe nail on one foot while you follow the above steps. Once he is used to this, tap each toe nail on the other feet three to five times. Repeat this until Saint is relaxed while you tap his toe nails with the trimmers.
• Now you are ready to clip one nail a day. Trim just a tiny bit of the nail to each time until you are both totally at ease while you do this. Scratch Saint’s throat and chest to reassure him that you are pleased with him.
• Play fetch, go for a walk, or do something else fun with Saint to reward him following each of your training sessions. He will look forward to nail trimming over time when he pairs these rewards with his training sessions.
These baby steps will lead you and Saint back to confidence and relaxation together in your relationship and while you trim his nails. Now is
a great time to further your and Saint’s education by joining a class or working with a private trainer.
TIPS: Two ways to help to keep your pet trim during the winter months.
• Use a measuring cup to provide the correct amount of food and try substituting carrots or apples for fatty doggie biscuits.
• Maintain regular exercise and play sessions. This is good for you too!
Gleanna Doyle has more than 20 years of experience in animal behavior and training and lives in Mystic with her three dogs and two cats. She has trained animals for television and movies for 16 years. She can answer your most pesky questions about getting your pet to behave. Send your inquiries to Doyle at her Web site, www.rhodescollar.com.