Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom  Yep, that's the funny thing, I can actually put the nail clippers on her toes, knock with the clippers and I also can use the electric Wahl clipper to trim the hair on her feet even between the toes. But as soon as I try to get a good grip to CUT the nail she freaks out. I never have cut into the quick, she never bled once when I did it only the groomers did... |
If you can actually get the clippers around her nails, can you just cut it super-fast? I would pick a nail where there is some room for error so you don't need to carefully position it. Just take off a teensy, tiny slice.
OR, maybe try "fake" clipping, where you don't even cut the nail. Just position it at the very end of her nail, and clip, so she feels just a tiny sensation.
OR, break it into an even smaller step: since she freaks out when you move the clipper into position, just densensitize her to that in tiny steps. Move the clipper into position and RIGHT before she flips out, remove the clipper and treat her. Then after a week, squeeze the clippers just a little bit, so she feels it on the nail, but don't actually cut. Then the next week, squeeze a leeeetle more.
Bottom line, I'd say you can always, always break a task into tinier pieces, and move at a pace the dog can handle. Hope this helps, or maybe gives you another idea.
By the way, I know a few trainers who actually trained their dogs to PULL on their leashes on command. They do this on cement to retard nail growth. I know you said her nails are super hard, but if she's really dragging you behind her, maybe that will do the job.
It might also help to have a really special treat she only gets at this time. Maybe little steak bits or something.