[vnechodomu]

I have a female lab mix pup, estimated 10 months old. She despises baths and won't let me near her nails with a clippers. As for baths--I've tried an easy, gentle introduction, varying the water temp, and then a firm approach as well... no luck. Feet remain planted as she pulls back from the water--looking for advice.

I can really deal with an un-bathed dog--the nails are the big issues. She's got a ton of energy and is generally well-behaved. However, her paws are just wild and she doesn't seem in the most control of them. Her nails are killers and I can't touch them! I have worked up to the clippers by rubbing her paws and feeling her nails frequently without any clippers (over several months now--and she doesn't mind it). Then I let her smell the clippers and just kept them near her for a while. Yet, the second I move them toward her paws, she goes nuts. What works for everyone? Gentle calm? Stern and strict? Feedback?

[Durbkat]

I would recommend that you exercise her alot, so much that she is to tired to put up a fight. Then continue doing what you are doing by rubbing her paws and putting the clippers and clip one nail, if she doesn't fight it, give her a treat. You may not get many done the first time, but keep trying the next day. As for baths you can do the same. If need be, have someone help you lift her into the tub, then give her a bath. If you really think you can't do this you can always take her to the groomers and have them do it.

[TeddieXRuxpin]

How long have you had her and how long have you been working with her?

My suggestion with the bath is if you have a closed shower; like glass, to take her in with you and just let her walk around with the water on. So she gets used to the running water.

I can't bath any of my dogs in a tub because they either are to big or they will jump out. So we've invested in a shower attachment hose and it's the best 20 bucks ever spent!!

The nails; I think going to the vet the first few times or even seeking out a nice/patient groomer would be a good idea.

[vnechodomu]

Thanks for the ideas. I will certainly try the exhaustion-tired-puppy thing--she needs more exercise, anyway.

Answers to your questions and additional infomation:

I have had her since September, when I got her from the dog catcher in a nearby town. I started the paw rubbing probably in October or November.

As for the groomers and shower ideas, this is where my unique setting is limiting. I actually have no indoor plumbing and have to use the showers at school. Naturally, it's not exactly an exciting idea to have a dog around in a school, so I have had to sneak her in late at night for baths only when absolutely necessary. So my only 2 options for a baths are a locker room type shower with curtain, or a janitor's closet. Both are equally terrifying for her. As far as going to a vet or groomer--we don't even have a store, post office, roads, clinic, or an air strip here, let alone vets and groomers (I would have to bring her on a bush plane to a town 30 miles from here to see a vet who's only around one week a month).

There are times that baths are necessary (especially after traumatic dog sitting experiences), but are baths otherwise even needed?

[TeddieXRuxpin]

Originally Posted by vnechodomu

Thanks for the ideas. I will certainly try the exhaustion-tired-puppy thing--she needs more exercise, anyway.

Answers to your questions and additional infomation:

I have had her since September, when I got her from the dog catcher in a nearby town. I started the paw rubbing probably in October or November.

As for the groomers and shower ideas, this is where my unique setting is limiting. I actually have no indoor plumbing and have to use the showers at school. Naturally, it's not exactly an exciting idea to have a dog around in a school, so I have had to sneak her in late at night for baths only when absolutely necessary. So my only 2 options for a baths are a locker room type shower with curtain, or a janitor's closet. Both are equally terrifying for her. As far as going to a vet or groomer--we don't even have a store, post office, roads, clinic, or an air strip here, let alone vets and groomers (I would have to bring her on a bush plane to a town 30 miles from here to see a vet who's only around one week a month).

There are times that baths are necessary (especially after traumatic dog sitting experiences), but are baths otherwise even needed?

Just curious, but what do you do about medical care for your dog? Shots, and other medication needed of if something happens?

Do you only have a tub? I know most houses only have tubs, but the easiest way I've found in in some type of shower with a door and sprayer.

It's going to take plenty of time and patients with her. I would get the clippers out every day and have treats near by. I would start out with just getting the clippers out and let her take treats from the clippers(place the treat on the clippers).

I have a dog we've had for 2 years and still can't clip his nails. Luckily he runs all day and keeps them down. Two others are fine with nail clipping, but don't need it because they also keep them down. Now Teddie(in my sig) has to have his nails clipped at the groomer because of how aggressive he gets, but he's nice for the groomers.

[vnechodomu]

Originally Posted by TeddieXRuxpin

Just curious, but what do you do about medical care for your dog? Shots, and other medication needed of if something happens?

Do you only have a tub? I know most houses only have tubs, but the easiest way I've found in in some type of shower with a door and sprayer.

It's going to take plenty of time and patients with her. I would get the clippers out every day and have treats near by. I would start out with just getting the clippers out and let her take treats from the clippers(place the treat on the clippers).

I have a dog we've had for 2 years and still can't clip his nails. Luckily he runs all day and keeps them down. Two others are fine with nail clipping, but don't need it because they also keep them down. Now Teddie(in my sig) has to have his nails clipped at the groomer because of how aggressive he gets, but he's nice for the groomers.

Great idea with the treats-on-clippers. I tried it already and she's seeming much more comfortable when she's the one interacting with them. Of course, even if she has the clippers in view and I even do so much as pet her (without me even touching or regarding the clippers), she runs away. So patience really is going to be the word to describe this process. But I'll get there.

To answer the question about health care. For her puppy shots (those initial 5) I bought a vaccine from a dog musher in a town 30 miles from here and gave it to her myself. They run pretty cheap-5 bucks! Of course, if I ever want to take her to the lower 48, I'll have to take her to an actual vet to get a health certificate so she can fly. They'll have to re-vaccinate her then. But for now, at least she's been guarded against some of the diseases and such out there. And as far as health and accidents are concerned--I feed her a good diet, try to keep her healthy, and hope that accidents don't happen. It's no different than human life, here, though. If I were to break my leg today, I would have to take a snow mobile across a frozen river to another village and then charter a bush plane to take me to a town with a hospital. Difference for Koda (the dog) is that there's only a vet in town one week out of every month, so if she were to be in an accident, she better pick the week wisely

[TeddieXRuxpin]

Originally Posted by vnechodomu

Great idea with the treats-on-clippers. I tried it already and she's seeming much more comfortable when she's the one interacting with them. Of course, even if she has the clippers in view and I even do so much as pet her (without me even touching or regarding the clippers), she runs away. So patience really is going to be the word to describe this process. But I'll get there.

To answer the question about health care. For her puppy shots (those initial 5) I bought a vaccine from a dog musher in a town 30 miles from here and gave it to her myself. They run pretty cheap-5 bucks! Of course, if I ever want to take her to the lower 48, I'll have to take her to an actual vet to get a health certificate so she can fly. They'll have to re-vaccinate her then. But for now, at least she's been guarded against some of the diseases and such out there. And as far as health and accidents are concerned--I feed her a good diet, try to keep her healthy, and hope that accidents don't happen. It's no different than human life, here, though. If I were to break my leg today, I would have to take a snow mobile across a frozen river to another village and then charter a bush plane to take me to a town with a hospital. Difference for Koda (the dog) is that there's only a vet in town one week out of every month, so if she were to be in an accident, she better pick the week wisely

That's good! I'm sure with enough time she will do better and better. I don't know if you've seen any of my older threads, but I've had my share of problems with Teddie. He was a rescue and had a tough time before I got him. So we went through the biting because of a brush, I couldn't touch his tail, head, feet, ears, or eyes. Now that it's been 8 months since I got him I've come to have to put in ear drops for an infection, eye drops for an inward turned eye lid, I brush his hair three times a day and we do just fine.

It just takes time; believe me I've been there plenty of times and after enough times showing her it's alright she'll let you do it. Trust is what it's all about. I know she trusts you, but it's a different kind of trust and it will take time. I wish you lots of luck!!

[Renoman]

I've had the same problem with Buck. When I adopted him I was not able to even touch his feet. I started the whole clipper desensitizing routine over 1 year ago.

Just so you know that persistence pays off......... today was the first time I was able to clip Buck's nails.... ALL of them at once.

WOOHOO!