Ann, drugging your dog isn't training your dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, AL

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.....Have you thought about massage/Tellington Touch to desensitize your dog to all touch?

Yahoo, you said it first! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I wanted to mention this (having had success with it for dogs who were going through stressful medical treatments, etc.). I read the book years ago, and have used it often with my own dogs. Recently I got the video at the library and it was even better than the little book.

Look for "T-Touch" in the dog section.

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The judge walks by your dog when you're at the end of the leash with the dog in the "stand" position. The judge touches the dog's head, between his shoulder blades, and his flank lightly as you walk by the dog.
I've *never* seen a judge do more than that in the exercise, and that's after probably 45 CD's on my part.
No need to worry about something that won't be happening in the ring.

Great! Thanks Will. I'll quit worrying about it then, in that context at least. I have read the CD requirements, but like I said, it was a trainer who said they sometimes will touch the feet or legs. Then again, thinking back, it was a Petsmart trainer who had not gotten a CD for her dog...maybe not the best source of information, I'm thinking <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

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I thought on this for a while.

I thank you for that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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If your dog has enough drive for toy or treats to paw at it in frustration, you should be able to use clicker and treats/toy to teach your dog to "shake." Gradually hold your hand closer to his foot when you tell him "shake." It will take a lot of time, in many short fun sessions each day. This would work well for nail clipping, but you also have the possibility that he would offer his foot to the evaluator.

...

I feel like an idiot now. Aussie will shake--for a second at least, when I say shake. He won't do it if I just offer my hand. He will also wave. I had completely forgotten that he'd do that. *whacks self upside head* <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> We haven't been practicing "tricks" since we started agility classes, so it slipped my mind. Thank you!

Okay...so we use the clicker and start extending the period of time he'll let me hold his paw. That sounds like it'll work. Then we start all over again when we introduce the nail clippers. *sigh* The other "Help! I'm dying!" trigger.

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Have you thought about massage/Tellington Touch to desensitize your dog to all touch?

Thought about it. Did it (halfheartedly) sometimes--he loved it (so long as I stayed away from his feet and didn't make him stay still for more than a few minutes *lol*)

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the point is, i wonder if a mild tranq, initially, wouldn't get you over the hump to where the dog will be able to respond to food rewards...and go from there.

I have actually seriously thought about tranqing him for nail clipping, and the thought was pretty much the progression you described--keep him calm enough to teach him it's okay, basically. Any suggestions for a doggie Valium? *lol*

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hope this makes sense it does to me at least

No, it makes perfect sense.

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Look for "T-Touch" in the dog section.

Of what?

Okay, so two votes for T-Touch. I guess I should get the book/video. It looked interesting, but when I tried it the Collie wasn't interested, Aussie didn't like staying still for more than a few minutes (this was 6 or 8 mths ago), and when I tried it on the cat, just to see what would happen, he decided I was out of my mind. So I put it on the back burner--maybe I shouldn't have done that.

Thanks guys!