One of my goals in helping dogs and people is to reduce stress for everyone. Grooming and medical care are big sources of stress in all species. We can help by teaching our dogs to be willing participants in their care. I want dogs to feel comfortable during routine procedures and grooming. Including nail trims.
There are many procedures for cooperative nail trims. This one, from my friend Sarah Stremming of The Cognitve Canine, is my favorite by far! The dog in the video is my dog Bailey. Nail trims had been rather tramatic for the both of us for a long time. Often it was an all-out wrestling match, these were not my finest moments as dog lover, guardian or professional.
Fast forward several years and lots of mind set changing.
I am marking with “nice” ( instead of using a clicker) and then handing her a piece of food. Then I am saying “get it” and throwing a piece of food off of the platform. That is an important part. If I kept feeding her on the platform she would likely never leave it. I want her opting in to having a nail cut by getting on the platform.
Bailey was taught to get on the platform with food originally. Once taught getting on the platform ( with the blanket specifically) is only followed by a procedure. I will try and let her know what kind of procedure by holding the tool that corresponds.
At the end she clearly says, no, to anymore nail cutting by not getting back on the platform. I pick up the platform, tell her shes perfect and we go do some other training. We might revisit nails the next day.
This type of cooperative procedure allows the dog to opt in, or not. When we allow the dogs to say no, they tend to say yes more often!
Please reach out if you need help with your dog and cooperative care.