TOE NAIL TRIMMING
When taking care of your little (or large) muchkin and you begin to hear a clicking sound on the floors, it is that time again!! Time to trim the toe nails!!
This is far from a happy time for many owners. We fear we will hurt our pups, or worse yet, they will hurt us!! But never fear, there is an easy way; maybe not fast; but easy way to teach your pet that feet are okay to be touched and handled.
If you have a puppy, start with a playful rubbing in all over at least once a day. Start with a good belly rub! Include an easy sliding down of your hand to the feet and picking them up to play with them. Rub the pads of the feet and massage between the toes gently every day. Your puppy will learn to relax and enjoy the attention and bonding time with his beloved human.
When you need to trim toe nails, be careful to only trim in the V on the underside of the toenail. That will guarantee that you won't "quick" your pup and make him bleed. Make sure you have the correct tools to do the job!! Don't use just anything around the house to cut the toe nails. Choosing a proper trimmer large enough to cut through on the first attempt is crucial. The cut must be quick and decisive. If you hesitate and the puppy pulls back, you are teaching him fear! The minute the cut has been made, offer that special treat that is reserved for only toe nail trimming.
For those who just can't cut a toe nail, there are several products on the market to help you file the toe nail. The Pedi-Paws™ files down the nail without creating pain or splitting is a good option and works on the principal of a dremel. It has a guard to prevent the toe from going in too far.
If your dog is older, and not been handled much, the process is much slower. Again start with belly rubs to relax your dog. As you slide your hand down the leg and to the feet and toes - be prepared to offer a treat (a very special one, only given at this time, chicken cubed, soft training treats, etc). One foot a day is a great victory. While this is a slow process, it does pay off in the long run to have a quiet, happy well adjusted dog. If all else fails, give me a call and we will help you!
For those who like clicker training, the process can be the same but the click comes at the end of the paw rub, then the treat!!
Once you have taught you dog to enjoy this time, tend to the toe nails at least every two weeks to keep them from ever getting too long. Have fun and enjoy the journey!!