Operation “Treats for Nails”

[chestnutmarebeware]

Backstory: When Murphy the pug mix popped his eye out, he had to have antibiotic ointment in the eye 4 times a day. However, he came from a hoarder situation where the dogs lived in horse stalls and he had no human interaction until he was about two years old.

He’s come a long way but restraining him wasn’t going to work. As a Hail Mary I used a big yummy treat and showed it to him. I gave him half, then he calmly let me add the ointment. Then he got the other half. It took him less than 24 hours to learn the routine.

So I thought I would try the concept on my two dogs who refuse to have their nails trimmed. I announce “treats for nails”, show them the treat and then clip one nail before giving the treat to them—no restraint needed. I clip another nail hours later, or even the next day.

Again, this worked for both of them. If one isn’t in the mood I try again later, but I’m thrilled I’ve found a gentle solution! Clearly I’ve been underestimating what training can do.

[Grey623]

That’s how I trained my cats to let me trim their claws. First cat, who was then a kitten, still needs to be wrapped in a towel, but she associates that with treats and scratches. We started out just holding a paw then treating, then learned to allow pressing and expanding and handling claws, then moved on to one claw trim/one treat and built from there. On a good day now I can do all four paws, but generally treat after each one just to ensure harmony.

Once my second cat realized she got treats at the end, she’ll hop into my lap, roll over to give me her paws, and stare intently at the treat container until it dispenses.

Grey

[rulex]

It’s called counter conditioning and can be a very useful approach for many different things, not just nail trimming.

[treebeard]

That’s excellent! I’d love it if my pug would agree to that arrangement.

[MunchingonHay]

I freeze peanut butter into a small, puppy sized slow feeder and dremal nails while the dogs are franticallyy trying to lick frozen PB.

They see the dremel come out and start to drool, because the peanutbutter platter is on its way out too!

[chestnutmarebeware]

I tried frozen peanut butter on a lick mat, but the second I held one of their paws, it was game over.

Even my vet and groomer weren’t able to safely cut their nails because they jerked their feet back enough that they were afraid they would cut into the quick by accident.

[JumpWithPanache]

I used this exact method with my youngest GSD (who is now six) nearly from day one as a baby puppy in my house. If she hears me touch the dremel she comes running and presents a foot for trimming because TREATS! At this point, she gets either front or back feet done at one sitting and then her plain ol’ milkbone as a reward afterwards. The older two (14 and 13) have always, ALWAYS hated nail trimming… so they get a cookie after a foot, or even after one or two nails if we’re having a particularly not-into-it sort of day. Even DH’s Shiba who has very strong opinions about everything, to include thinking she should NOT have nails trimmed, has benefitted from the counter conditioning although she had to go through a CTJ first to realize that nail trimming WILL happen and you will get a cookie for it.

[tabula_rashah]

My previous dog did really well with treat training to use the scratch board for his nails

[MunchingonHay]

Little dogs can be tricky. I am glad you have found a solution for your guys.