Nail Clippings…
I HATE it when I have to get my nails clipped. I squirm, scrape, wiggle, and whine–and I can keep it up for hours if I have to. If anybody has any suggestions for my parents on how to calm me down when I have to get the dirty deed done, feel free to comment. (Not even using my new super-clippers helped any!)
UPDATE! mommy had another ’sesion’ with me this morning. this time she knelt next to me facing my bum and then took the paw on the opposite side. i like this alot better than sitting on the couch! then i can’t *see* her touching my paw. she just touched my paw and my nails for a while, but boy oh boy….i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again…i am *not* a fan of personal hygiene! the scratches on mommy’s neck, arms and legs can attest to that fact…i am certainly not a metrosexual!
March 13th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
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Jabba,
Mom and Dad are going to have to start training you to have your nails cut. You are not going to like it, but you are going to have to live with it.
Every day, not every second day, not when they feel like it, every day one of them has to play with all four of your paws. Just let them hold the paw in their hand. Play with your toes. Each paw. Every day. After about ten minutes of paw playing you will get a very special treat. Not always the same treat either. Every day will be a new treat. One day a whole stalk of celery for you to chew on. Perhaps a hard boiled egg. Maybe a dried fig. You love them, right?
So, here’s the plan:
1) Sit on the couch so that you are right along side Mom or Dad.
2) Let them take each paw, one at a time, and hold and play with it. Sure you’re gonna struggle—but remember, they’re bigger than you and stronger than you—so they’re gonna win that battle.
Each day there will be less and less struggling.
After 6-8 weeks of this, you will get your nails clipped.
No, you’re *not* gonna *like* it—but you are not going to go crazy over it.
Some dogs are foot phobic. You, obviously, are one of them.
Remember last wednesday when our Mom played with your paws? You howled, struggled and tried everything you could to get away from her. You called her names that we are *never* allowed to say. Lola got so nervous with you yelling she ran to the bathroom and hid behind the potty. Gypsy ran into the crate. I stood at the end of the bed and watched ’cause I know I used to do the same thing whenever I saw the brush. Frieda tucked herself under the blanket. But, Mom won and you got the treat. You even learned the *hello* command. The one that you have to lift a front paw and shake hands.
If you follow this routine nail clipping will be much easier, we promise.
Frankie & Frieda
March 15th, 2006 at 12:47 am
Hey Jabba, it’s your Cali-Cousin here, I dunno, I think Frankie & Frieda’s got a good idea, but my mom and dad are so afraid they’ll cut my nails too short and hit a nerve they take me to the vet and spring for the five bucks! I get to ride in the car, which I luv to go crazy in and I talk dad into rolling down the passenger window so I can hang out and bark at everybody! It’s a riot! Of course it’s also fun to watch dad steer the car and hang onto my harness at the same time! I’m kinda tired after the ordeal. I get to see big dogs at the groomers and they scare me sometimes until I find out they are nice! Oh, we had some excitement around here, mom was awful mad, a coon bit the head off one of her laying chickens last night, she was talking about making coon stew for me! I’m mad too, I chase the chickens but I never hurt them! They haven’t figured out if they would just stop running, I’d stop too! toopid birds! Catch later cuz!
December 29th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Hi Jabba! Just think that it is a training to you for the future…Don’t worry..always cheer up
Don Lapre Jones
webmaster@don-lapre-news.com
http://www.don-lapre-news.com