[seattleharpist]

I have an active girl, about 50 pounds. When she gets excited, which is often, she runs in circles at warp speed - like zoomies. Well, I don't know if this is how, but she's injured her two left legs and is very sensitive, so sensitive that she will not let me get near those feet to clip them. I know she would never bite me, but she's doing some serious vocalizing to let me know that it's just not going to happen. I'm going to try some rimadyl (as much as I hate using the stuff) maybe that will make her feel good enough to tackle those feet. Though she's never been keen on getting her nails clipped. Does anybody ever resort to some kind of sedative? How about wholistic calming solutions. She strong willed, but knows her mom isn't trying to hurt her. My other dog is at the vet's today. I'm going to try to remember to ask about it when I pick him up. I haven't tried a Dremmel yet. It would be great if that worked.

[poodleholic]

If she's injured her legs, she probably should be seen by the vet ASAP. As for possibly injuring herself during an episode of running in circles, maybe it's pent-up energy needing release. How much exercise does she get daily?

I wouldn't recommend a sedative for clipping nails. If she's that difficult to handle, have your vet do it for you when he checks her legs. Once done, start conditioning her by handling her feet, and giving her yummy treats, so she comes to association the handling of her feet, and then nails, with good things happening.

[lovemygreys]

I would want a vet to examine the injured legs. Most vets will want to before prescribing rimadyl.

[seattleharpist]

Believe me, the vet has been seeing her about this for several weeks. It comes and goes, so she'll seem fine for a couple of weeks and then it starts up again. We're going to take x-rays next week and have those analyzed to try to figure it out. Yeah, she gets excited. Unfortunately, until she heals up, there's not going to be any outlet for her energy. I have her on a leash most of the time, and when I don't put her on a leash I wish I had.

The one and only time I had the vet's office cut her nails was about 3 months ago. I thought it would be a nice break for me, but she expressed, pooped and peed by the time they got them cut. They had to wash her off and it took longer than my appointment with my other dog. So, unless they put her under for something else, I'll spare her the stress.

My other dog also has a soft tissue injury that never really goes away, but he's 8 years old. We deal with it and he lets me cut his nails.

I talked to the vet and she agrees, no sedative. She thought to try some Benedryl to calm her down a little, but I'm not expecting much.

I thought with all the people here, somebody might have a groomer's trick for settling down difficult dogs for nail clipping. I guess my girl is special.

[poodleholic]

I thought with all the people here, somebody might have a groomer's trick for settling down difficult dogs for nail clipping. I guess my girl is special.

Many dogs do not like having their feet touched, and/or nails clipped. Many owners do not condition their dogs when wee puppies to having their feet and nails handled, so it's a struggle from the get go, and it only gets worse. Many owners do not know how to properly use the nail clippers, make it uncomfortable for the dog, and thus create the problem. Some dogs just won't cooperate for whatever reason.

My female hated having her feet touched when I got her at 9 wks. old, but, as a Poodle, those feet needed to be shaved naked, in addition to having nails clipped! I gave her a body massage, then massaged her feet, eventually spreading toes to get way down in there. She LOVED it. The result? She sleeps through nail clipping, especially now that I use a dremmel rather than clippers.

My male would sleep through nail clipping, but would try to bite the dremmel. So, I had to get him to associate the dremmel with good things happening. I used his very favorite treat as a reward for allowing me to dremmel each nail - braunsweiger! When I get out the dremmel, he does a happy dance now, because he knows he's getting that braunsweiger! LOL

[DivaDog]

I think your looking at two possibilities here - shes either worked out the screaming etc stops you doing her nails in which case its a training problem and she needs to learn to behave herself - dogs as a rule dont like their feet touched - you remove their choice of flight when you hold their feet leaving them the fight option if they get scared.

However if she is in a lot of pain due to whatever is wrong then fair enough I dont blame her for putting up a fight. I think until you know what is going on you should just leave nails well alone.When you know whats up with her legs and whether its a long term thing etc then come back and we can proceed from there. but until you know what your dealing with it wont hurt her to not have her nails done for a bit.