I made a mistake yesterday. I went to a drawer in the kitchen. Not just any drawer, it’s the not-a-junk drawer, where I keep among other things the dogs’ nail trimmers.
As I opened the drawer, two dogs materialized behind me, sitting politely with ears forward and eyes bright. So of course I had to get the trimmers out.
We trimmed nails, each dog in turn, and then when I told them nail trimming was over, this is what I got:
“Don’t end nail trims, please!”
(Yes, my Christmas tree is still up in the first week of January. Don’t judge me.)
I know this is somewhat different from many people’s experiences with nail trims. But there’s not really a trick to it. I’m a trainer, but it’s not a big training secret. I simply made nail trims all about the dog’s control and positive reinforcement.
Right from the very beginning, if a dog pulls away from the clippers, I let her. With self-determination and choice in the matter, fear and resistance dissipate. Combined with positive reinforcement for successful trims, this becomes a very easy choice for the dog — pull away and get free of non-existent restraint, or stay and get treats? No-brainer.
In human terms, are you more likely to cooperate during the medical exam where the doctor respects how you’re feeling, or the one where they pin you onto the table?
“But Laura! Aren’t you letting the dog be in charge? Won’t they think they run things? You’ll never get what you want that way!”
Is that so? Because what I wanted was easy nail trims with no fuss, and what I got was dogs who actively ask to have an easy nail trim with no fuss. The only downside is that maybe I don’t get the ego boost of feeling like I can dictate the way things are, but my pride is flexible enough to handle that — especially as I’m still getting exactly what I want. And as far as the dogs “running things,” well, they’re sitting politely to ask. I can live with that.
“But Laura, that won’t hold up in another handling situation.”
To the contrary, I believe establishing trust in advance actually helps in an emergency situation. And I have evidence that it does indeed carry over, as when Laevatein held a chin rest without restraint while we flushed her eye, rather than needing sedation as the team first planned. And if ever we do need active restraint, well, we can go there. But that’s no reason to use it all the time instead of keeping things relaxed and easy for all parties.
If you want to see the whole process, check out this video of teaching Tucker, an Airedale pup who was excused from the groomer for biting, to enjoy his nail trims:
I’m going to try this with my mastiff .. I really hope it works with us