Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to be taught extra about me and my 5 humorous canines, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.
There’s one little bit of ‘healthcare housekeeping’ that I actually dread in terms of Ned, and that’s nail clips. He is a nightmare. So I used to be dismayed to note that his claws had began to resemble one thing Cynthia Erivo would put on to a pink carpet occasion.
In my Ten Commandments for Successful Puppy Training, I’ve made clear that canine homeowners should “not let puppies make the principles,” which means that we should always train our canines from a younger age that they have to permit us to look of their mouth, contact their ft, look at their eyes and eyes, and be capable of take meals and toys away from them. I don’t like listening to the excuse of “he doesn’t like me doing it” when folks can’t get their canine’s ear drops in. He might not prefer it, but it surely nonetheless must be carried out.
When Ned got here alongside, I needed to step down off my excessive horse and acknowledge that in some circumstances, irrespective of how early you begin, and the way persistent you might be, there are some canines who simply won’t associate with the plan. But out of 5 canines and 5 cats, having just one that provides us grief over nail clips and different trivialities of upkeep and grooming isn’t too dangerous. Fortunately, he’s additionally the one who will trigger the least harm if and when he tries to sink his tooth in. To date, the closest he’s come is leaving a small indent in my pores and skin 
.
Thinking Outside the Box
He’s simply so small that it’s inconceivable to carry him nonetheless with out the danger of wounding him. As a outcome, we’ve needed to suppose exterior the field and give you some various strategies to attain our targets. Last week, we managed to unravel his anal gland problem utilizing a burrito wrap, and I’ve beforehand labored out a technique for cleaning his eyes and applying eye drops. This week, having been impressed by one thing I noticed throughout a weekend doomscrolling session, I’m going to strive the ‘hanging bag methodology.’
How Does It Work?
The premise is pretty easy.
You’ll want a cloth bag – not a plastic one! – that’s of the same dimension to your canine. Make 4 holes for the legs that can match snugly, however not tightly, and one for the pinnacle. Ideally, this gap ought to permit the face to come out, however not the entire head, although this can rely on the pinnacle form. It’s essential that your canine feels safe, not suffocated.
If you’re going to do that at residence, get the bag prepared lengthy earlier than you want it, and permit your canine to get used to it, sniff it, even lie on it, offering reward and/or treats after they work together with it. If you go straight to utilizing it for a nail clip, they’ll hightail it out of there after they see it come out subsequent time.
Obviously, that is going to be extra appropriate for small canines, however I’ve seen some fascinating photos of huge canines being carried onto subways in very massive luggage to get across the guidelines!
You’re additionally going to wish someplace to safe the bag, or ideally, somebody to carry it for you. Once you’ve got your canine securely held aloft, permit them to loosen up for a couple of minutes. Give them a deal with and look ahead to them to settle down earlier than you begin gently touching their paws. Don’t go straight in with the nail clippers. At this stage, you must be capable of swiftly however rigorously trim these talons with nobody getting injured or overly burdened.
Why Does It Work?
Much just like the burrito wrap, making use of agency, fixed strain over the physique stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing a couple of feeling of calm. It is similar precept used for thundershirts in canines and compression remedy in autism.
Because they’re being restrained by you, they aren’t making an attempt to squirm, battle, chunk, or scratch their approach free, maintaining you each secure. Hopefully, if the primary few periods go effectively, your canine will quickly be taught that this isn’t the horrific course of they at all times imagined, and will even come to sit up for their hanging mani/pedi with treats.
Did It Work?
They say an image is price a thousand phrases, so I’m going to allow you to be the choose. You can even try the video to verify I’m not making issues up!
