Wow what a wonderful story teller you are Robin, I can completely envision it as you tell it. I can even hear it, you just describe it and tell it so well! You may not have gotten a picture but I have quite a good mental image of it . I'm so glad you made progress with Katie.

I used to have trouble with Tommy, just because he had never had his feet handled or any grooming when he came to live with us. So when I tried to clip his nails, he'd JERK that foot and try to get up or try to roll over on his back or scoot away, it was a struggle! Then I decided to try using treats. The first time he was heavily treated, I used those freeze dried liver bits that I train with. I gave him one when he laid down, I gave him one when I picked up his paw, I gave him one after he just let me hold and handle his paw, then I gave him one after each clip, after each nail, after each foot. The next time, he was easier, and I just gave him one after each nail, but he was a lot more relaxed. The next time, I gave him a treat after each foot, and he patiently waited and was good, hardly jerking at all. The last time I did it, he just laid there the whole time, placid as can be, and I gave him a treat at the end. Cleaning his ears however is a different story