Okay, here's a kooky one. Our dog needs some help.

[Missy Vixen]

I don't know if this is even appropriate for ASAH, but I have to ask.

We brought Moose home a little over a year and a half ago. He was a six-month-old puppy at the time. The guy that had him before us crated him. All the time. After all, chocolate Labs are a real handful when they grow out of the "awwww, isn't he cute?" stage. It took a little while for Moose to adjust to us and our household, but things are going better. He is a happy, playful boy that is the center of our lives.

Moose will not allow ANYONE to trim his nails. For some unknown reason, he won't allow anyone else to touch his paws, and responds with bad behavior (biting). It's obviously really traumatic for him. The ex-vet knocked him out to do it without asking us first. The new vet tried yesterday, tried again today, and told us she will have to sedate him in order to trim the nails. This will cost $200. Each time. He is so strong that two vet techs and a doc couldn't hold him down to even get a muzzle on him this morning.

Is there anyone here that can tell us what might be going on in our puppy's mind, what we can do to help him understand that we're not trying to hurt him, and get the nails trimmed with less trauma for all involved?

Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.

-MV

[Myrina]

1. I understand that he's a big guy, but do you have 'cuddle time'

... with him? You may want to make it a habit to 'cuddle' with him and just rub his paws and touch his toenails/paw pads in a non-threatening kind of way for a few weeks/months so he gets used to the idea that someone touching his paws does not equal hurt or harm. Usually they advise owners to start that with pups so it may take you longer since he's older and has been thru some kind of trauma, but give it a try.

Another thing that works for me (and granted my dogs& I are weird) is that I let them smell and 'investigate' the dremel, file and clippers before I use them and basically talk to them like I'm explaining to a kid what I'm going to do - it seems to take their anxiety away.

Good luck to you!!

[Kookaburra]

2. Have you tried Rescue Remedy?

That helped my kitty who was terrified of thunderstorms. It might help your pup. Good luck.

[Lucinda]

3. I've always sent "visual pictures" of what I wanted or felt the need to explain

If that makes any sense. Seems to work well.

[rosesaylavee]

4. Are you familiar with Cesar Millan?

Based on what I have seen from his show, this is what I would do.

I would ask Moose to lay on his side. Get someone to help you the first time (or few times). Make sure he is calm, submissive, relaxed. Once relaxed, stroke him to reward that state of mind. Do one nail. If necessary, get him to be relaxed again. (You will need to be relaxed and calm for this to work too.) Allow as much time as it takes to complete all 10 nails. After the first time, if it's a relaxed time, the dog will associate nail clipping with warm affection and relaxation.

Good luck! I am a big fan of Mr. Millan (aka Dog Whisperer) and his methods have helped us a lot with our border collie.

[Silver Gaia]

5. Natural instinct tells dogs to protect their paws.

The paws are a weak point, since, if injured, a dog cannot run from further danger. So, many are very sensitive about having their paws touched.

I agree with others above about giving him a thought image, and also, introducing him to the idea of having his paws touched in a gradual process. He may never be entirely comfortable with it, but it can be less traumatic for him (and you).

Maybe try one of those grinding tools (I think there's one called "Pedi-Paws" or something like that). Regular pet nail clippers can put a lot of stress on the claw and while I doubt it's actually painful (unless you nip into the quick), it probably feels uncomfortable. If you're going to use the clippers, see if you can find one that doesn't hold the claw within a ring. I've found that, sometimes, the claw will get twisted within that ring, and that probably is painful. To use one without the ring, I'd be sure to work with him on the relaxation techniques described above, though, and get him used to the idea of having his feet touched without it being a scary situation.

Take heart -- he is still young and will adjust in time as you work with him.

[liberalmuse]

6. I have a Chow with the same issue...

I don't know what to say except some dogs just don't like that shit. I can't do anything with my Chow without having to sedate her. It's harder now that she's 13, because she may not wake up. I think your best bet is to find a vet that does not charge so much. That's all I got. Some dogs are very temperamental, and until they learn to speak, we'll really never know why.

[laylah]

7. Dear MV...

no "pearls of wisdom" only good thoughts.

Jenn

[PADemD]

8. Youtube has videos for everything!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHgBvnQ71ss