Reggie, our golden retriever rescue, came to us not liking to get his nails trimmed - surprise! He has actually been pretty suspicious of a lot of things we need to do to him so it makes me think he didn't have good experiences before us. But he's learning to like getting brushed, having his teeth brushed and I can even handle his paws while he's relaxing next to me now. But take out the nail clippers and good luck finding him!

So I decided to go through the process of getting him used to a dremmel. But his nails are getting long and really need to be shorter, and this desensitization process could take weeks! I can't decide whether I should take him to a groomer and get them all trimmed, which will make him hate clippers even more, but then I'll have time to get him used to the dremmel sound, etc. Or if I should not worry about the length of his nails for now and just work on the dremmel process until he'll let me grind them. He will let me use a nail file and sit there and file back and forth, but that's not enough to take much off a dog nail!

Would you guys go get them trimmed (I don't want to force him to let me cut them or I lose what trust I do have), or just let it go till he's hopefully desensitized enough to tolerate the dremmel??

Good afternoon Lori,

Well, a similar story with our rescue Sam.

When he came here there was no way his paws could be touched, his ears scratched or any real touchy feely dog stuff. By no way, I mean he would absolutely bite, not nip or mouth. He was a full on ready to do serious damage rescue. A real challenge.

So, trimming nails was going to be more than a real challenge the first time. Sam was not a dog that responded to a soft hand or an I'm OK, you're OK interaction.

My initial heavy handed approach to nail trimming required two people working together, and a muzzle. I put the muzzle on Sam and held him, which was not an easy activity. My daughter took on the nail trimming duty. The first time was an adventure, prompted by the necessity to trim his nails. And it was accompanied by much gentle touching and gentle vocals.

I should note I have an aversion to groomers, having witnessed some particularly harsh groomers working on dogs. That said, my initial nail trimming session with Sam served a few purposes, in that over time it became clear to Sam that I would do the leading and he would do the following in return for meals, nice digs, exercise, safety, and so forth.

I have not tried a dremmel tool on any of my mutts, preferring the clippers and a cautious eye. I think Sam had bad experiences with some one who trimmed his nails. Once burned, twice warned. It took him time, and I mean months, to be almost receptive to nail clipping. Took months for him to tolerate ear touching.

I think the gentle approach to dealing with an adoptive dog absolutely depends on the dog. Some dogs are predisposed to try to please. Some dogs are initially at war with their new surroundings. Of the many dogs that came through the front door, Sam was the only one a heavier hand was needed with. I don't mean heavy discipline, just purposeful, persistent determination to reach an end point. And no negotiation.

For my part, the health of the dog supersedes coaxing. Untrimmed nails, dirty ears, etc. can lead to bigger problems. Overtime the trust factor grows and the dog goes from no way, to grudging tolerance, to acceptance. And various rewards can have a reinforcing smoothing effect.

That little epistle didn't do much to offer much by way of an approach. It worked for me at the time and started a process that evolved into no muzzle, give me your paw. And I have no doubt Sam is still willing to and capable of reminding me of his displeasure. I really like Sam.

I've talked about this before but my brother got his Presa when it was 3yrs old.

Excellent temperament but the vet, groomers, etc couldn't touch the dog's feet.

Former owners said they had to pretty much hog tie him to be able to do this.

We started slowly with markers and rewarded with treats.

Initially it was just rubbing the nail clippers along his back, working to up and down the legs and eventually touching and handling his feet.

All with marker training till we were able to eventually trim his nails.

It may take a bit longer with the dremmel and as Mike commented, "It can depend on the dog".

Another approach would be to get a sedative script from the vet on the occasion the dog needs it's nails trimmed.

 Quote: Bob Scott

I've talked about this before but my brother got his Presa when it was 3yrs old.

Excellent temperament but the vet, groomers, etc couldn't touch the dog's feet.

Former owners said they had to pretty much hog tie him to be able to do this.

We started slowly with markers and rewarded with treats.

Initially it was just rubbing the nail clippers along his back, working to up and down the legs and eventually touching and handling his feet.

All with marker training till we were able to eventually trim his nails.

It may take a bit longer with the dremmel and as Mike commented, "It can depend on the dog".

Another approach would be to get a sedative script from the vet on the occasion the dog needs it's nails trimmed.

I agree with Bob's approach AND also with MIKE'S as well -- Both your Situation and the Individual dog all play into which plan works best ... IMHO, any "urgent" need calls for some extreme measures of the QUICK FIX variety ("hog-tying", Muzzle, SEDATIVE) either at home, if you have at least 2 very capable people, at least one of whom is big & strong and Seriously Determined, or otherwise a Trustworthy groomer that you can WATCH throughout the Entire procedure (their grooming noose & elevated table are a huge help in showing the dog who has the upper hand) !!!

But short of suddenly finding yourself with a no-kidding bite-risk Rescue in DIRE need of Urgent intervention for nail-trimming or ear-cleaning or anal gland "milking", etcetera, then MARKER TRAINING with High-Value Treats will do the job before too long (and usually sooner, rather than later)

I would be shocked if he bit us - I know it's always a possibility but his temperament is not in that direction. He will let me handle his paws, clean his ears, do his anal glands, etc. so the marker training will probably be the best way to go as far as life long success goes. I actually started doing the clicker and treats every time I turn the dremmel on and he stands there wagging his tail all excited to get the treats - but so far the dremmel isn't touching him. So I'll work up to this slowly and see where it goes. For now, my husband made me a small sanding block that I can work with to keep the nails from getting too long - it'll also get him used to the feel of sanding as we head towards the dremmel. If all this fails, then we'll have to restrain him to cut them but I hate to lose his trust at this point as it has taken time to gain it. He is a sensitive dog and wants to please us so I don't like to use force on him.