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Happy Nail Trims Part 8 – Final Points – Keeping Your Dog Under Threshold
????After you’ve had success trimming just one nail with your dog feeling really relaxed, it can be tempting to “Go for it” the next time.
CAUTION: Keep reading your dog’s body language and continue to evaluate.
Stress can look like
- fooling around/fidgeting
- flight (moving away)
- fear
- fight
I hope it never comes to that! Keep in mind that continuing to maintain trust throughout your dog’s lifetime for health and handling behaviors requires you to be willing to work at THEIR PACE, not yours.
EVERY TIME I begin a nail session, I do the same check in as you see at the end of this video.
✅ Is my dog calm?
✅ Is she interested in what I am doing?
✅ Is she offering a paw?
✅ How is MY emotional state and expectation?
I will often start at an easy level, say just turn the Dremel on/off, and feed the dog and see if we’re still good to go.
Trust takes time to build, but you can break it in one quick mistake. Go slower than you think you need to, and pay highly for your dog’s cooperation at every step.
And your dogs will LOVE nail trim time, just like mine do.
Post your success or ask questions along the way. That’s what we’re here for!
Did you see Part 7? Find it here.
1:18
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2 Replies
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Thank you for all 8 videos. There are so many good suggestions that I can add to my progression with my Elmo. It now is about 3-4 weeks of definite progress. I can touch his paws, touch his nails for a count of 10 and isolate and touch per nail. I can turn the grinder on from many inches away as he will take treats. I can turn the grinder off and touch and tap 3 or 4 feet. I have been able to isolate a nail and am working on touch to the nail. Almost there. I love the toss the treat and wait for him to return. At times he walks away and sometimes he returns. I do notice an immediate down . He is still not thrilled for reaching toward his paws and doesn’t offer readily. I will slide my index finger slowly on the floor in front of him and watch his reactions. I am so pleased of the progress so far… Still have not trimmed a nail yet. One thing I have noticed that instead of taking treats. He loves being petted and talked to in which he gives you soft eyes, closed mouth and a general relaxed body. Sometimes he likes this more than a treat. He will spend every day on the couch in a corner with his back to me. Then, he comes over and sits right by my side every day. I have learned so much. Your videos and suggestions are wonderful. Slow progress and many thanks.
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Denise! This is such great progress with Elmo. Congratulations and well done, working at his pace. You brought up a few very good observations that I would like to comment on.
1. If he’s not enthusiastic about the treats, try different treats. Get creative and be sure to play the Find the Value food game to see if you can find a food that lights him up a bit more.
2. If he loves touch, absolutely use that. Bliss does, too, and in fact the first time I trimmed a nail she was in my lap. Perhaps a change of position – asking him to cuddle in your lap first, even on the couch – before you try a session? Be sure that you also give him the opportunity to leave and double-check for signs like wide eyes or nostrils flaring; signs he could be stressed but conflicted about leaving your lap.
3. Finally – great job mixing up all the different components and variables. Definitely keep that up. I find that a mix is better than extended duration on only one component makes the game progress more quickly.
You are sooooo close! Hang in there and keep up the great, patient work. You are building trust and your relationship, one session at a time. Very well done. Keep us posted!
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