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Dashboard Channels Health & Handling Nail Dremel Desensitization Reply To: Nail Dremel Desensitization

  • Jennifer Zatorowski

    Member
    April 20, 2022 at 9:23 am

    Hi @ruthabigail

    Thanks for sharing this video and great topic.

    What I am seeing is that this pup is already to scared to learn or be desensitized to the process. I would scale waaaaaaay back on what you are asking.

    Desensitization and counter-conditioning is often and should be a ” long” step by step systematic process.

    Being up on the counter can also be causing some fear.

    For example with this pup seeing her reactions I would simply start to bring my hand near her paw, mark and reward. Forget the dremel at this point.

    Gradually and slowly getting to where I can lightly touch her paw with my hand or finger then holding her paw with her 100% comfortable.

    The dremel will be its own process. First leaving it on the floor. When the pups simple looks at it, mark and reward. Next step is when the pup moves towards it,mark and reward, next step is when the pup touches it with any part of her body mark and reward. Eventually working to turning it on but not touching her, just repeating the above steps. This way you are building a positive association with each small step in the process.

    Eventually you should be able to put each step together to form the final behavior of touching paw, holding it, turning on the dremel and touching her with it. Make sense?

    Changing the pups emotional response to each step is important and will take time.

    Keep us posted!