Nail trim with biting dogs!
Both Inari and Luna would bite and not allow their nails to be trimmed or get a muzzle on, despite the conditioning efforts of their owners. By working through moments of objections, dogs can be taught the path of least resistance and learn to simply relax.
Inari has landed several bites on people in the past, and would also pair his bite attempts with hellacious screaming. He figured out this behavior would immediately stop what was happening to him. He’s been with us for a little over a week, and after getting him into an easy muzzling routine, we were able to utilize this tool for safety. When objections occurred, steady slip lead pressure was applied upward and immediately relaxed once stopped, then we simply continued. Rewards were given for good choices but he would not have gotten over this with rewarding alone. By day 2 of nail trimming, he was no longer biting or screaming and was able to build coping skills to work through stress.
Luna has also bitten in the past just when people tried to touch her paws. She’s finishing up her 4 week program with us and has gotten more relaxed each time. At first we practice daily, then about 1-2x a week, and gradually every 1-2 months for routine nail health and maintenance. Working through initial stress builds resilience and prevents so much more stress in the long run. No need to fight, bite, or be drugged - dogs can be taught to simply relax so we can keep them healthy and feeling their best.
Good job, Inari & Luna! 🐾❤️🥰