Silver and Those Darn Nails

I have never had to clip any of the dog's nails, except for Silver's.  They tend to grind them down during playtime and walks.  Silver's never been happy about getting her nails done, but she was tolerant, until she had her puppies.  For some reason after having her litter, she began to really put up a fight about it. The worse part is that she is on an digestive enzyme and probiotics formula for her allergies that make her nails grow thick and strong like weeds.  I have had to start all over with her trying to accumulate her to the nail clippers.  It has been a long haul.  So when Jena from Success Just Clicks guest posted on Rescue Insanity about how to make clipping nails fun, I had to find out how that was possible!

Success Just Clicks went through all the procedures for getting dogs used to having nails clipped, but it was the skateboard idea that I absolutely loved!  She taught how you could get your dog to file their nails down by scratching a skateboard by using clicker training.  So we bought a skateboard for $10 and while I was working with Silver and the nail clippers, she started trying to scratch me, so I got out the skateboard.  In seconds she was filing her own nails and was having a total blast doing it!!  Silver had me laughing so hard as she was getting so into it and the relief it brought me of having another resource for those daggers she's got growing out of her paws.  I couldn't believe how simple and easy it was and how Silver picked up on it right away.  It blew me out of the water.  It seems to be some kind of reward for Silver after we work with the clippers for a few minutes, say like every couple of days or so.  The whole thing is hilarious.  I have been horrible about teaching Silver anything new, so she gets really excited with that look of "Finally, you remembered me!"  We've been doing this for a while now and I finally remembered to video tape it.

Look at the fun she is having!!

(Having trouble watching?  See here on YouTube)

The thing I like most about it is being able to have a back up plan.  While Silver still needs to relearn the whole clipper thing, the skateboard is an excellent alternative.  

You can check out the Jena's post and video for yourself HERE if you'd like.