Nail trimming doesn’t have to be rough
We have been struggling with teaching nail trimming. Thus far, we have spent weeks massaging his paws. As soon as I bring out the clippers, the dog tenses. If I take his paw he starts to struggle and fight. How long before massaging the paws pays off?
While it’s a good idea to get dogs accustomed to handling, a paw massage is not at all like a nail trim. Handling is only one component of a more complex task.
The information that surrounds the training provides the dog with additional contextual information. For example, we would have very different expectations at a spa versus the dentist. We know these things are different. The presence of dentistry tools is sufficient for anyone to tell that a massage is not likely. We start to cringe in anticipation of the more likely dental work.
Recognize that in order to teach a dog to like nail trims, the training needs to simulate actual trims. The first order of business is to make sure that the dog likes seeing clippers. This is done by pairing the sight of clippers with food. Dogs that learn this will run to toward the clippers.
Next, work on teaching the dog to enjoy having their paws held with one hand while holding the clippers in the other. Practice this and gradually work on teaching the dog to hold steady with their paw held for longer periods of time. It’s difficult to trim any dog’s nails if they are fidgeting. This step is well worth the effort.
Pay close attention to the manner in which the dog is handled. Many people accidentally pull the dog’s leg sideways. Many dogs are not fighting the nail trim so much as they are fighting having their leg pulled to the side. Work with the dog’s anatomy.
Finally, add pressure to the dog’s nail and practice putting the blade around the nail. Work through all the steps so the dog is happy, comfortable and steady. Solid foundation training allows the owner time to trim easily and with precision.
Take care not to confirm fears. Learn how much to cut. All the work in the world is lost if the person doing the grooming is hurting the dog. I have been teaching my dog to lie on his mat. The goal is to teach him to run to the mat when someone comes to the door. However, he will only go to the mat if I walk him there. How do I get him to obey a command that he clearly knows and demonstrates some of the time?
It’s important to challenge the assumption that a dog knows a command simply because they do it some of the time. Miscommunication happens between people, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it might happen between people and animals.
Owners have a habit of gesturing and moving about during training. During mat training, people often step toward and point at the mat. Dogs are excellent at following this visual information.
Many assume that repeating a verbal command will cause it to sink in given enough repetition. Usually the opposite happens. It’s like living next to train tracks. We learn to tune out. As long as dogs are getting visual cues, they also tune out the irrelevant.
Train silently and eliminate all the gesturing. Teach the dog to move toward the mat without any visual help. Once the dog learns the skill, then add in the cue. The words we teach to our dogs need to stand out so the dog can readily attach meaning to them.