Wilbrodog (my internet name)
Wags to all! - Gotta go back to- work now! | 
 | | Barked: Tue May 15, '07 8:45pm PST |  | |  | | Some dog trainers and owners think dogs hate nails being clipped because they PINCH the nail and probably hurt it.
I think chows are more prone to being grouchy because they have more stiff joints and thus are more uncomfortable with legs being held wrong. Also, if they're shy and not crazy about strangers, you'll see that come out at the vet's. Generally, a dog should accept you handling his feet when NOT doing his nails. If he won't even without the nail thing, you need to work on this more before doing nails again.
Communicating to your dog what you are doing and letting him know which paw you are going to next, and giving him some treats on the floor also can make it a lot easier for the dog to accept the nail clipping.... but again, technique is so important to be sure the dog isn't hurt.
I have heard a dremel really works with dogs that don't like the squeeze. Another suggestion is to get an emery board, same as you will find on some stairs, from the local drugstore and train the dog to claw it like a scratching post, only on the floor. It will keep the nails shorter, and then you may only need to trim the dewclaws. I did hear that you should not leave it out for causal use, because some dogs are so addicted to it they will make themselves bleed, like nailbiting in people, I guess.
Myself, I get a pro to do Wilbrodog's nail-- the local vet. He's only been grumpy once, and he had a sore leg that day. I'm just so nervous about doing nails, that I know I'd make him anxious too. So I watch it done and learn instead.
Short nails are so worth it-- it seems to be less uncomfortable for the dog when clipped, and they're less likely to cause toe injuries too.
One day I had let them get a little too long due to lack of exercise on hard surfaces. So I took him in to the vet for a nail clipping, and he was very happy when we left, and he was not lagging behind anymore on walks! |  |  | |  |
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The Dog Show: Who's Your Mama?
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