Gull was horrible as a puppy with the whole grooming experience. I never used force though and eventually grooming became very easy. I'd have one goal everyday for our grooming sessions. It started with just touching his nose and ears and feet. I'd put peanut butter on my fingers and as he licked it, I'd touch him all over. Once he was cool with that, I moved onto the next goal.
Just clipping one nail. I stayed determined, that I'd get one nail clipped and although I was firm in my resolve, I never forced or held him down. The key I think is in knowing that you only have to succeed in getting one nail done, helps reduce your stress.
I'd hold his foot and calmly talk to him, telling him... he just had to let me do one toe... that's it and we'd be done. I'd keep moving around the room with him, talking and holding his foot, until he finally calmed down and I'd quickly snip the one nail... Then major celebrating... He circled me, while I did some big woohoos and then I gave him a treat... Soon a routine began to form. Clip a nail... Circle me... Get a treat... We still do that now. Routine really helps.
After going to a groomer, when he was a couple of years old, we had to start back at square one. I'm not exactly sure what they did to him, but he was nutty again about it. It didn't take long to get him back to where he was though. Once the routine kicked in, he was okay with it.
I've never had success with the dremel with the Collies. They're just too sensitive to noise. Using the clippers with mega rewards has always worked best for me.
Par...
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