Years ago, when we had 2 dogs, pit bull mixes, I had to start cutting their nails. They were both compliant and didn’t seem to care at all. I, on the other hand, for the first couple of months would sweat profusely, it didn’t matter if it was Summer or Winter season, every time I had to cut their nails. I had sweat running down my face. Cutting their nails stressed me out beyond words.
Time went by, and the sweating and anxiety I experienced disappeared. But, you knew there was a but coming right?, Charlie came into our lives and he didn’t like anything. He didn’t like his ears cleaned, his paws wiped, his hair brushed, and yes, his nails cut to name a few. We tried to cut his nails and later on have the vet cut them, but it did not work at all.
His nails kept growing, and I reminded myself that many times a problem come to us because it brings knowledge/education to that person. With that in mind, I thought to myself, “Let me approach this as a dog trainer, not a pet parent. What would I advise a client facing this dilemma?” A light bulb went on and I realized that there was not point in stressing him out and stressing myself during this process, and so what did I do? I started filing his nails.
Yay! Why didn’t I think of this before? Now Charlie gets a pawdicure!
AllMyCanineCompanions 
We used to cut their nails but then we started letting groomers and vets do it and well we are lazy so we continued that. It is not the easiest of tasks.
No, it’s not. I agree with you. I decided to continue to file Charlie’s nails and cut Abby’s. Whatever works for that particular dog is what I will use. Thanks for stopping by.
Way to adapt to the situation at hand. I’m guessing 99.99% of all dogs hate having their nails done but you’ve demonstrated there is more than one way to skin a cat…erm trim the nails. Way to go.
Yes, they don’t like to have their nails cut or paws wiped, but I need to do both. Lol. Love the way you put it, skin a cat.
š Luckily Elsa’s nails file themselves from our walks on sidewalks. I’ve never had to cut them-whew. Both Norman and Sam before him however, had to have theirs cut. It was terrifying enough to make me take them to the vet for that.
Lol. A lot of pet parents feel that way. I was one of those until I realized that all I needed to do was acclimate Charlie to having his nails trimmed.
Dogs with black nails pose problems beyond acclimation to nail trimming. It’s hard to see where the quick is. š²
Exactly. And so I decided to give Charlie pawdicures from now and on.