Grooming and Medicinal Support

So you gone through the counter conditioning steps and your pup still squirms, fights, growls etc.. Maybe the issue is more than fear or discomfort. Maybe the pup feels pain while being brushed or while having her nails done or ears cleaned, etc.. When an animal is in pain, counter conditioning might not work.

Nail Trims. Part XI. A Little Dab'll Do Ya

We've discussed using the Dremel with soft or fine attachments. Now we can try a  more course attachment. But continue to use a low setting and only do tiny bits at a time as your dog acclimates to the tool.
See more in the video below

Nail Trims. Part X. Desensitizing to the Dremel

We have already covered treating the dog for looking at the dremel and treating the dog when we touch him/her with the dremel.  Now it's time to use the dremel but not actually do the nails. 

Nail Trims. Part IX. Self Manicure

While you are working on helping your dogs feel better about nail trims, you might be able to teach them to do their own nails:

Nail Trims. Part VIII. Using "Jealousy"

After reading about Leslie McDevitt’s Give Me A Brake Game and watching this video by Susan Garret on nail trimming, I decided to apply reverse psychology to nail grinding.

Nail Trims. Part VII. Training Back The Quick

When dogs' nails grow, the fleshy part continues to grow as well. That's why it's important to regularly trim the nails.  

Nail Trims. Part VI. Alternatives to Clippers and Grinders

If you have a dog who is afraid of clippers and grinders, a manual file might work.  See the below video on manual filing plus other ideas

Nail Trims. Part V. Instrument Desensitization

Once we chose an instrument, I needed to help the dogs become comfortable with it.
See the video below

Nail Trims. Part IV. Grinding Tool Comparisons

In my last post, I wrote about how I liked the Dremel Stylus.  Before I discovered that tool, I had to test several other grinding options.  Please see the video below for details

Nail Trims. Part III. Our favorite Grinding Tool

In my nail trim saga, I wrote about my search for an instrument that would work well for my dogs and me.
The video below demonstrates the grinder that I have found to be easiest to use. 

Nail Trims. Part II - Our Nail Trim Saga

It took several years and a lot of trial and error, but I can finally do all of my dogs' nails without help. See the video below.