May 18, 2011
I am 64 years old and have a very hard time cutting my 19 week old German Shepherd puppy’s nails. What should I do?
Full Question:
Is my (almost) 19 week GS male ready for a prong collar? I don't know what size or how heavy to get or whether a quick release one is better. HELP!Also, I cut his toenails - just the ends - and played with his feet while I had him on his back between my legs. (That was the only way I could see well so as not to "quick" him. I NEVER DID! All of a sudden he will not let me do this and I can tell he is serious about trying to bite me. I don't want to scare him, but I want to be able to cut his nails. At this moment, I have not pushed and think it is getting worse with time.
I've read about shaking them by the scruff of the neck and using the jowls to shake and lift them, but do I want to start this? How can I, a 64 year old woman, keep dominance?
Thanks,
Sally
Ed's Answer:
Your dog’s toe nails do not need to be cut that often, especially when he gets a little older. Take him to the vet and let him do it. Why worry about the fight when you really don't have to?
I determine a dog needs a prong collar by his reaction to a normal collar. Some dogs just seem to be knuckleheads. A jerk or pop on the normal collar does not effect them very much. Sometimes the person trying to handle the dog is a very small or an older person (like yourself) and they do not have the strength to control a dog - then the prong is warranted.
My advise is to buy a normal prong (not some break away model). As an adult the dog will need an extra heavy model. When he is 5 or 6 months old he will need a normal prong collar. So over his life you will own 2 of them. They are not that expensive.
My advise if to take a look at my tape Basic Dog Obedience and Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months.
As far as the dominance issue goes, I do not believe that a dog that argues over his toes being trimmed is having a dominance problem. If that dog growls when you put your hand near his food bowl or growls when you try and take his toy away, then this is a dominance problem. At that point you leave the prong collar on during the day (off at night) with a 2 to 3 foot leash attached all the time. When the dog growls you give him a level 10 jerk with a load "PHOOIE !!!!!"
I am not sure I would ask a 64 year old woman to shake a 19 week old GSD puppy or grab him by the jowls. You do not have enough strength to fight a dog that wants to argue. You are better off picking a fight that you know you can win and a leash with a prong collar is winnable on a dog at this age.
I determine a dog needs a prong collar by his reaction to a normal collar. Some dogs just seem to be knuckleheads. A jerk or pop on the normal collar does not effect them very much. Sometimes the person trying to handle the dog is a very small or an older person (like yourself) and they do not have the strength to control a dog - then the prong is warranted.
My advise is to buy a normal prong (not some break away model). As an adult the dog will need an extra heavy model. When he is 5 or 6 months old he will need a normal prong collar. So over his life you will own 2 of them. They are not that expensive.
My advise if to take a look at my tape Basic Dog Obedience and Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months.
As far as the dominance issue goes, I do not believe that a dog that argues over his toes being trimmed is having a dominance problem. If that dog growls when you put your hand near his food bowl or growls when you try and take his toy away, then this is a dominance problem. At that point you leave the prong collar on during the day (off at night) with a 2 to 3 foot leash attached all the time. When the dog growls you give him a level 10 jerk with a load "PHOOIE !!!!!"
I am not sure I would ask a 64 year old woman to shake a 19 week old GSD puppy or grab him by the jowls. You do not have enough strength to fight a dog that wants to argue. You are better off picking a fight that you know you can win and a leash with a prong collar is winnable on a dog at this age.
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