Ricky hates his feet touched...
 

Hey guys,

I just took my dog to the groomer a few days ago to get his toenails trimmed...and he cried the whole time. I felt horrible about it. I took him because his nails were getting tangled in his coat when he would itch...and he is really fussy with his feet. I groom my boys at home and every time I get around his feet, he pulls them away like it tickles him.


Anyways...I'd like to be able to use the grinder on his nails myself, just like I do with my other dog...but Ricky is even worse with the grinder than he is with scissors and nail trimmers because it vibrates and makes noise.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get him used to the grinder?? My other yorkie doesn't like getting his nails ground, but he tolerates it. I am hoping I can get Ricky to tolerate it too. I'd rather handle ALL on their grooming needs myself, just because I know my dogs are being handled with love and care.

I left the grinder out on the couch...and even put a few treats by it to try to desensitize him...but I am guessing if I turn it on, he will run and hide under the coffee table:( I am also trying to play with his feet more. I get the feeling that he didn't get groomed much before he was rescued.

Poor baby, Peanut hates his feet touched too. I love playing with them- he will put up with it for like 3 mins then he will pull his foot up and then kind of kick me if I still touch him LOL.

Well I think you just have to start working with him. Baby steps. First I would start playing, touching his paws- all of them. Touch his pads, in between in toes.. do it for maybe 5 mins at a time and reward him, and praise him. Do that a couple times a day- always praise, always reward him.. then increase the time.

Once you are able to get passed that start bringing out the grinder. I would first make him sit by it, praise him if he sits by it without shaking or stressing out, reward him, praise him. Then put it in a place where him and the grinder can be close to it and turn it on. Make sure he is close enough to hear it- reward him for sitting calmly around the grinder, do it in times as well… then you can start putting him in your lap, with holding the grinder close to his feet, with it on. Do that in sections, praise and reward him when he is calm about it.

Once he is comfortable with the grinder, and with his paws touched you can start training to grind his toes. This will have to be done in baby steps as well. Start with maybe one nail, reward and praise when he does good…

It can be done, and you can work with him to get over his fear. You will just have to take baby steps.

I have been able to conquer many fear’s Peanut has had- it just takes time, and you have to work as a team.