I have done some looking at sites to show the best way to clip a dog's toenails, and even posted a link to one on an earlier blog. Did you see it? I think the best advise is to start while they are young 'so they get used to the process'. This advice is too late for us.
I have been playing with Cleo's feet for a few days now, but she hates it and gets up and 'runs' away. I have decided that I need a new approach.
What do beagles love most? Apart from exercise, kids, games; they always LOVE food.
I have determined to try sitting with her touching one paw while offering her a treat and telling her what a good girl she is when she lets me touch the paw.
I started that today. Too early to tell too much yet, but there has been some success. The first few times she pulled away, but the food wasn't close enough to distract her. Another occasion I had too much chicken and it was difficult to manage.
The last two times she has let me continue to touch her paw after she has finished the treat, (tiny pieces of cooked chicken). We have made a beginning. Yahoo!
There is of course one big problem to overcome, Bo. I can't do this if Bo is anywhere around as she wants some too. Luckily she has been outside fossicking in the garden. She certainly doesn't need extra treats.
We have made a start today!
It is slow, but we are making progress. I notice that not all of her toenails need trimming. She must be like most of us and develop some irregular walking habits. Whatever, she has several long toenails, but the majority seem to be responding to the morning walks routine. I have been getting up early and walking them longer while it is cooler. Most of our walks are on the pavements. It helps, I can see it.
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