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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4209

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Any dog experts?
We adopted a dog a few months ago,to accompany our existing six year old hound. The adoptee is three years old, we expected a bit of work to do as he was very underweight and fearful of new things. He can show some fear aggression, but it is well telegraphed, we’ve been working on it and he seemed to be making good progress. However, we are having one issue that we are really struggling with. We have been trying to trim his nails but he just he won’t entertain it. If you try to man handle him into it he will bare his teeth and try to bite. He doesn’t like being man handled generally anyway. I tried with his muzzle today but he got so freaked out I had to stop as he is too big to contain, plus I think it’s only going to make matters worse regarding his rehabilitation.

Can anyone offer any help as I’m really at a loss? 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #727986 8th Sep 2018 8:29pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20343

United Kingdom 
Try waiting till he's asleep close by you, admittedly you might be able to manage one or two a week maybe but possible.
Obviously be careful not to cut too far down to the quick!
By the time he realises you'd have done it, or at least just one or two.
If he gets a bit funny and notices just leave it until next time. Wink

Failing that the Vets but if you can I'd try and avoid this as they'll likely want to put him out just to do it.
Walking on a lot of tarmac or concrete can help wear them down a lot too.

I'm sure others on here may put their spin on it too and have their own views and possible methods.
Food may help too I find he's into that, he'll learn it a positive food related thing rather than a fearful issue. $W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
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Post #727987 8th Sep 2018 8:35pm
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steve E



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Tenby
Posts: 2073

Wales 
I have similar with my border collie with nails as he hates it.
Only way is to knock them out at the vets and work on them whilst asleep.
The long task of desensitisation is hard hard work and I've done that with general grooming. Some dogs just don't like certain things done to them. Find a vet who will get to know your dog for a few weeks with lots of treats and no invasion to the dog.
Once your dog looks forward to meeting the vet take some treats with you and while your treating your dog the vet can pop him under for a full mot.
Hope it helps as there's a lot of do gooder BS on the web
Regards
Steve
Post #727988 8th Sep 2018 8:36pm
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Maxxed_Ross



Member Since: 06 Jun 2012
Location: Bathgate / North Sea
Posts: 340

Scotland 2001 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Cobar Blue
we had a rescue lab that was exactly the same

We tried everything and it was nearly impossible.

Tried those little dremil type sanders to remove the actual cutting pressure - but the noise freaked her out just as much

In the end it just took a load of work building trust. Lots on handling of the feet without any cutting and lots of treats, then moving the clippers around the feet again without any cutting and lots of treats. When you do get to the actual cutting we started taking next to nothing off and slowly building up to taking a bit more off on a more regular basis... but it was hard going and more often than not they were left a bit on the long side.

Lots of read walking will help take the edge off them until you get to the stage of being able to cut them 2013 Discovery 4 HSE Lux | 2001 Defender 90 TD5 | 2007 Prodrive RB320
Post #727989 8th Sep 2018 8:37pm
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Zed



Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: In the woods
Posts: 3280

United Kingdom 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
Obviously it's horses for courses but I had success using a similar method to maxxed ross. Gaining trust and positive reinforcement using the clippers instead of clicker. First away from the dog, then a bit nearer until eventually clipping nails. Took a few goes but worked for me.
Post #727993 8th Sep 2018 8:53pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4209

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
One of the reasons I’m getting stressed about it is I can’t really wait six months while we build his trust in the hope he will accept it. His nails need clipping now really, and with our other older dog it’s something we do about once a month. At the moment virtually all our walking is on grass, which doesn’t help I know.

I’m not keen on the idea of getting him knocked out at the vets. Steve, how frequently do you have that done and is it expensive? 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #727994 8th Sep 2018 9:02pm
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steve E



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Tenby
Posts: 2073

Wales 
Only done once in four years and keep on with the positive reinforcing training. I just found the stress Of loving my dog and not getting him in the best condition very distressing.
I'm always working with the clippers etc but had to get him looking and feeling as he should whilst we work on things.
Post #727998 8th Sep 2018 9:15pm
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Maxxed_Ross



Member Since: 06 Jun 2012
Location: Bathgate / North Sea
Posts: 340

Scotland 2001 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Cobar Blue
if they are that bad to start with you might just have to go for the knocking out method this time and work from there

I know how they feel though, I hate having my toe nails cut too Laughing 2013 Discovery 4 HSE Lux | 2001 Defender 90 TD5 | 2007 Prodrive RB320
Post #728009 9th Sep 2018 4:53am
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tookaphotoof



Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: dordrecht
Posts: 1279

Netherlands 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Take him out for a good walk and play with him till he’s tired. See if you can just touch / massage his toes without him showing his teeth.

Repeat a couple of days till he feels absolutely comfortable with it and then trim his nails by using a nail file instead of a nail clipper.
Post #728010 9th Sep 2018 5:51am
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Rashers



Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3497

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
I would get the advice of your Vet.

Our Yellow Labrador has always been unhappy (understatement) to have her nails trimmed.

Our Vets is part of the CVS group (they seem to be one of two or three big vets in the UK). They have a healthy pets club where we pay monthly, get the worming tablets, flea treatment, inoculations, a discount on prescribed medication and most importantly, free nail clipping for our monthly payments.

We have never managed to get near our Dog for this but the Vets and Veterinary Nurses just seem to have a knack for it.

They will know whether you would need to go down the tranquillisation route. If you do have to, get their teeth cleaned at the same time.
Post #728058 9th Sep 2018 11:24am
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mick



Member Since: 08 Feb 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 2109

England 2010 Defender 130 Puma 2.4 HCPU Rimini Red
As Steve says if they need doing just visit the vet ok not a cheap option but best for the dog and you in the long run some animals never get desensitised it’s there nature
I do a few horses that are the same even after years they never alter.
Post #728190 9th Sep 2018 9:01pm
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Lateralus



Member Since: 05 Jan 2016
Location: Ohio
Posts: 185

United States 
Iam in the same boat. My dog freaks out if I touch his paws. I've taken him to a professional and we held him down to do it. Its alot of work even with two people. Iam convinced a dog lift harness would work great. They cant really do much suspended in the air. You just need the harness and a way to lift it in the air.

In the meantime, having the dog run around on concrete can help wear down the nails. Just make sure the pad doesnt get too worn under the dogs paw.
Post #728206 10th Sep 2018 1:46am
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hank



Member Since: 12 Sep 2016
Location: South Wales
Posts: 2298

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Ha! This sounds all too familiar! It probably comes down to a previous bad experience of him being quicked

Initially we made up a scratch board out of a piece of timber with a skateboard grip tape stuck to it. We trained the mutt to scratch his own claws down, but progress was slow!

In the end it came down to gaining his trust. I would sit watching tv (or whatever) with him cuddled up, armed with the snippers in hand! I would fiddle with his paws/claws for him to get used to it and then snip. He would jump initially but over time learned that there was nothing to be scared of.

I would also recommend the guillotine type snippers rather than the side cutter type. I find the guillotine type more controllable and without the "snip" sound which ours was petrified of.

I also don't agree with muzzling unless absolutely necessary as it just adds stress to the situation!

Sounds as though you may need to go to the vet in the short term and get them done under sedation, then work on the trust method

Best of luck Thumbs Up
Post #728208 10th Sep 2018 4:34am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 4209

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Thanks all. We already use a guillotine snipper. I just can’t see the sneaking up on him asleep working. He sleeps in a ball so by the time I’ve located a claw he’ll be awake. And he won’t be amused if I’m going for clip. Due to his past he is very nervous, doesn’t settle quickly and is what I’d call a light sleeper. He has no issue with me playing with his feet if he is lay with me. It is trying to clip that’s the problem. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #728218 10th Sep 2018 5:22am
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