dog wrasslin

[Teshi]

I'm hoping someone might have a suggestion for me!

I've got this dog, El Tanque. He's a Rottweiler/Chow cross that I adopted from a no-kill shelter a little over a year ago. He was abused by his previous owners (they wanted him to be a fighting dog, I guess) but has adjusted very well to life with me. He's not dangerous or aggressive, but he can be a little hard to handle sometimes.

Which brings me to my problem - I can't figure out how to clip his nails. He won't let me get the clipper anywhere near his paws. He's fine with me touching his paws, even with me holding on to them for short periods of time, but if do it while I've got that clipper in my hand, whoo-ee. It's a rodeo.

I don't want to try to wrestle him, because, frankly, he's tougher than me, and also because I don't want to bring up memories of his previous owners. I can't use any physical discipline or restraint on him, because he automatically assumes he's going to get a beating and flips out.

I'm about ready to just take him to the vet and have him sedated to have it done, but that seems pretty drastic. His claws are getting pretty awful, though, so I'm reaching the end of my tether...

Any ideas?

 

[Dagna]

The vet would be a good option for you, at least until you can get him adjusted. He obviously isn't used to the clippers, or maybe he has bad memories of it, I don't know. But he has to adjust to them and realize that they aren't going to hurt.

To get him used to the clippers, give him treats while holding the clippers, show them tohim, let him smell them, all while giving lots of treats. Have him sit next to you while you hold them and just keep getting closer. He'll adjust, it'll just take time.

In the meantime, go ahead and take him to the vet. They may not even need to sedate him, so I wouldn't worry about that unless it happens.

 

[awashinlove]

The vet would be a good option for you, at least until you can get him adjusted. He obviously isn't used to the clippers, or maybe he has bad memories of it, I don't know. But he has to adjust to them and realize that they aren't going to hurt.

To get him used to the clippers, give him treats while holding the clippers, show them tohim, let him smell them, all while giving lots of treats. Have him sit next to you while you hold them and just keep getting closer. He'll adjust, it'll just take time.

In the meantime, go ahead and take him to the vet. They may not even need to sedate him, so I wouldn't worry about that unless it happens.

She said it all. Teshi, how wonderful it is of you for having such patience with your dog.

 

[LegacyOfLove]

Taking him to the vet for right now probably would be the best thing, I agree!

Also, you should start slowly working with him to make him feel comfortable and safe. You can do this when he is resting and letting you pet him. Gently pet him in his favorite areas - and then slowly and very gently pet him in areas that are normally his trigger zones (like his paws). It will take him time and it will take a lot of patience and gentleness on your part, but he will learn to trust you gradually and can learn that a human's touch is for comfort and love - and that he has nothing to fear from you.

Another thing you may want to try is taking him out for long walks or runs on hard concrete surfaces - this helps to naturally file down dog's nails. And speaking of filing their nails, they do make doggy nail files that can be used gently to file their nails. (I find this very helpful as some dogs and puppies can be a bit squeamish when it comes to getting their nails clipped and they will actually hold still better sometimes for a nail filing than a nail trimming).

You are doing a great thing with your dog. Just be patient and give him plenty of gentle reassurance - I believe it can make a tremendous difference over time.

 

[mylittlelambs]

You need to muzzle him and have someone hold him on his side. Hold the bottom front leg and put pressure with the forearm on his neck. Hold the bottom hind leg too. Clip a tiney bit every week. I am a vet tech and I absolutly hated when people brought their unruly dogs to the vet. It is the owners responsibility to train thier pets not the vets.
Good luck