Ok I give up! Akita refuses to have nails clipped

reeskujo · 11-08-2011

Never in all of my Akita years have I had one that simply refuses to have his nails clipped...Until Seigi...I've done all of the right things since he was 8 weeks old to get him used to having his feet touched and to make it a positive experience but it simple doesn't work..In order to cut his nails we have to put his leash on and hubby has to hold it while he's steady shoving treats in his mouth while I seat on the floor fighting with him to keep his leg still..Sometimes it takes up to 45 minutes to get it done..Anyway, I've finally decided that I'm going to let the vet do it..He needs his nails done at last every 2 weeks and it's $20 a pop so there goes an extra $40 a month..

At 130lbs he's just to much to fight with to do it myself..I have to admit though I feel a bit like a failure...I'm a trainer after all and have dealt with this breed for 20yr.s and I've never had this issue.

cigwyllt · 11-08-2011

Ouch!!!!! How come his claws need clipping so often? I suppose here in the UK we are more geared up for road walking. We have everything in walking distance: beach, schools, shops, library - and plenty of places we can walk to and let the dogs run.

Don't feel too bad about being defeated by a 130lb Akita - my neighbour had to have her Jack Russell sedated so that the vet could trim the fur around her eyes!

reeskujo · 11-08-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigwyllt

Ouch!!!!! How come his claws need clipping so often? I suppose here in the UK we are more geared up for road walking. We have everything in walking distance: beach, schools, shops, library - and plenty of places we can walk to and let the dogs run.

Don't feel too bad about being defeated by a 130lb Akita - my neighbour had to have her Jack Russell sedated so that the vet could trim the fur around her eyes!

His nails just grow like crazy even with us taking him for walks on concrete..he hates being brushed to all though he doesn't fight us to much over it but when it comes to clipping those nails he wants no part of it and makes it a huge issue to do it..

bigpawsup · 11-08-2011

Can you dremel them between clippings? Might be able to extend it to once a month. $40 for nails - should be getting a manicure.

piratekitty · 11-08-2011

Dont feel bad, I think if my dogs were big and I had that much problem. Id be taking them to a vet too. Mine are 9 and 12 lbs and I treat and take my time with them too, One thing I dont get is those pet gringing tool for nails they were selling. I tryed one of those, no way did my dogs like that vibrating on their nails.:roll: Any one use one of those?

reeskujo · 11-08-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpawsup

Can you dremel them between clippings? Might be able to extend it to once a month. $40 for nails - should be getting a manicure.

There would be no way he'd allow a dremel anywhere near his foot...He goes through fazes where he doesn't want you touching his foot even to just look at it..He's an incredible dog behavior and temperament wise except when it comes to those freaken toe nails!!

bigpawsup · 11-08-2011

Thought I'd ask. My dogs HATE having their nails clipped but are ok sitting with me on the couch with the dremel. Best of luck.

As far as the tools designed for pet nails - everyone I talk to say they are not worth it. The dremel is get, but the motors in the ones designed for pet nails burn out in just a few uses - especially with big dogs.

reeskujo · 11-08-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpawsup

Thought I'd ask. My dogs HATE having their nails clipped but are ok sitting with me on the couch with the dremel. Best of luck.

As far as the tools designed for pet nails - everyone I talk to say they are not worth it. The dremel is get, but the motors in the ones designed for pet nails burn out in just a few uses - especially with big dogs.

For awhile I was able to do Seigi's nails that way..He would come up on the couch and lay on my lap with his 2 front legs and each time he'd let me clip a nail I'd give him a treat..Well now he's caught on so when I grab the treats and sit on the couch he refuses to climb up there and will walk away and go without the treat!!..He's to darn smart for his own good!!!

piratekitty · 11-08-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeskujo

For awhile I was able to do Seigi's nails that way..He would come up on the couch and lay on my lap with his 2 front legs and each time he'd let me clip a nail I'd give him a treat..Well now he's caught on so when I grab the treats and sit on the couch he refuses to climb up there and will walk away and go without the treat!!..He's to darn smart for his own good!!!

Thats a smart dog! Nina will sometimes do that, but I just go and pick her up and carry her to the couch, Ha Ha, dont think that will work for you.

reeskujo · 11-08-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by piratekitty

Thats a smart dog! Nina will sometimes do that, but I just go and pick her up and carry her to the couch, Ha Ha, dont think that will work for you.

Nope it sure won't unless I want to herniate a disc or two lol.

akismaster · 11-09-2011

Hmm..How bout for each successful clip, you give him a treat?

I don't think it's okay to leash him and have him struggle while you're cutting the nail because it might make things worse.

reeskujo · 11-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by akismaster

Hmm..How bout for each successful clip, you give him a treat?

I don't think it's okay to leash him and have him struggle while you're cutting the nail because it might make things worse.

The only reason he's leashed up is so he can't run off and as I stated below he was getting rewarded for every successeful clip..he doesn't struggle as much as he simply refuses to let you pick up his paw and when he does he keeps pulling it back..

I've been a trainer as well as having dealt with this breed for 20yr.s and if I thought the leash was going to make it worse I wouldn't put it on him!!!!

dogs rule · 11-10-2011

Brody is this way too.
I have a wicker basket downstairs with all their grooming tools in it. Both Brody and Keegan love seeing the basket come down from the shelf. Brody will lie down to have one side brushed and then get up and lie on the otherside. He has no problem with having his tail brushed, belly, even the incrediblely thick hair on his butt.
As soon as I get the nail clippers out, he's gone. I can brush his paws, pick at the hair between the pads, you name it, but the metal clippers come out, FORGET IT!!
Long walks on the roads are what I do. Every time I hear him "scrape" a nail on the pavement, I smile. Now, how sad is that!! LOL.