Part 1 - Using force free training to work through the dreaded nail trim

I've never been a fan of trimming dogs nails. None of us enjoy the experience and so I decided it was time for a change.  Time to turn the dreaded nail trim into a game that's fun for all of us.

 

Back in 2010, when we first adopted Catty there was no way I wanted to trim her nails since they were all black and I was afraid I would cut her quick creating a bloody mess.  So, I walked her to the vet and paid to have them trimmed. This was back when I knew nothing helpful about dogs - and I wasn't good at paying attention to what they were trying to communicate to me.  Catty hated these vet visit no doubt for a variety of reasons - she had to be muzzled, they had to fully restrain her and every visit was unpleasant.  No one was purposely harming her but, this created a lot of emotional stress for her.  

 

Finally I decided that we needed to figure out a better way of clipping her nails. So, we used a mesh muzzle and a frozen piece of chicken and gave this a try at home.  We muzzled Catty, I held her while putting the frozen chicken in her face and my husband cut her nails.  All nails in one sitting.  It was a better experience for Catty but, still not a great one.

 

 By this time I was starting to read about positive dog training while learning more about fearful dogs.  I decided that I wanted to figure out how to clip her nails without her wearing a muzzle.  When Catty is scared she uses her teeth.  That's why I muzzled her and once I understood that, I wanted to help her feel safe and get rid of the mesh muzzle.

 

I started working with barely clipping one of her nails. And clipping only one nail per session.  This went well and as time progressed we no longer needed a muzzle and Catty was tolerant of the one nail clip for a high value reward.  Catty and I would trim a couple of nails a week and we followed this routine over the last couple of years.

 

I still dreaded the nail clips as I felt like I needed to hurry but be careful - not a fun emotional place for me and of there's no doubt Catty picked up on my emotions.  I found that Catty would sit still for that but, I needed to restrain her paw so I could clip the nail.  This wasn't idea but, I wasn't sure what else to do.

 

Then I had an ah-ha moment and that is what this series of five posts is all about!

 

The tools to assist us in changing our emotional response

 

We will be using Catty's mat, a Paw Pods by FitPAWS  the nail clippers and a clicker.

 

 

Before I get to deep into my posts I wanted to share a wonderful blog post 

Dog training basics: getting the behavior  that resonated with me as I was working with Catty.  This post is by Eileenanddogs and her blog is my favorite blog.  There's lots of good information on her page & I encourge folks to take the time to read her posts and watch her video's as she's clear, easy to follow and pretty amazing. 

 

 

So my ah-ha moment was to just teach Catty to give me her paw in my hand and hold it there while I clipped her nail.  No holding of her paw.  Easy enough I thought.  I was wrong!  Catty has no problem giving me her paw in my hand however, when the nail clippers are in sight she says "no thank you" and will not offer the behavior even with a high value reward.  I had to come up with another plan to change her emotional response.

 

And here's where the Paw Pod came into play and it was time to make up a new game.

 

Catty knows how to touch her paw to things!  So, I decided to work with Catty on targeting her paw onto the Paw Pod.

 

I "click" her every time she paws the pod.  I don't care what foot she uses all I'm doing in focusing on this one behavior.  When she gives me the behavior I mark it with the clicker and reward her with food.   I do have the clippers on the ground and I'm not touching her paws. 

She's so dang smart - this was later in the day and Catty quickly figures out the game.  I've moved off using the clicker as a marker (since I couldn't remember where I put it) and am just marking with a "yip".

 

And a bit later... I've found the clicker and check out her emotional response to this new game.  She says "Give me that pod!!"

We are now working on duration.  Meaning having her hold her paw on the pod for a little bit longer before I mark the behavior.  And the nail clippers are still there and no touching of her paws.

 

Catty has become solid on putting her paw on the pod.  You want to make sure the dog understands the behavior you are asking and is solid on that behavior before moving on.  One of my ongoing common errors is trying to move the dog to quickly.

So, we start over again doing all of the above and now I'm ready to ask for a new behavior. I've taken the nail clippers away and add in my hand.  I place it just above the pod.  You can tell she's not sure if she's comfortable with how this game is developing. Remember in the past me asking for her paw was followed by me holding her paw which did not give her much choice to move away.

This may not look like much but Catty is being very brave and working towards trusting me with her paw.  I can't say I'd be this trusting!  She is marked and rewarded for trusting me with this new behavior. Her emotional response is shifting! 

 

Do you want to watch the progression of our nail trimming adventure? 

Here are the remaining posts of: Using force free training to work through the dreaded nail trim:
Part 2 
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5