bradpattison.com

All I have to say to Brad is THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Okay so I used to cut Lindy\'s nails after a bath because they were softer, but it was ridiculous. She would turn upside down, inside out, the works, growling and biting (and yes I do mean biting, her teeth were bared and she was snapping at my hand, not the clippers) and anything to keep me from touching her feet. I even wrapped her in a towel and tried to cut her nails once and almost cut the first nail off. The vet did it once and was able to do it with a food distraction (which I didn\'t really like the idea off, but it was better than not having her nails done). The groomer also was able to do it, but that was a bit of a struggle and also after a walk, so she was a little tired (still snapping at the grooomer\'s hand once). But everytime I have tried it was after a bath and she was full on ready to rumble.

So I tried what Brad suggested at his seminar(or maybe it was Street Safety). Anyway, he said to cut the nails after a hike. So I took her to Stanley Park this morning and went for a short hike in the shady trees with some friends and then we went to the dog park at Aldergrove Lake Park and she played in the sun with some dogs and we went for another short walk around the trail (made sure to give her some snacks throughout the day and lots of water).

Anyways, I just went to cut her nails and she didn\'t put up a fight at all, rolled on her back once and tried to mouth me a little, but was way too pooped to even try plus her nails were pretty soft. Surprisingly there was hardly anything there to cut in the back (her front nails are growing really long but the back are ground right down...maybe from when she runs at the dog park?).

Anyways, tomorrow after I take her out I am going to brush her, because that too is always a battle, so I am hoping it has the same result!

Also wanted to share the beautiful shot I got of her doing a sit stay in the sun (leash is still on because she still has her training wheels...only 5 and a half months).

Hope the rest of you beautiful British Columbians got a chance to enjoy the sunshine and 24 degree weather!

-Karen

I will have to try that with Cooper as he does exactly the same thing when I cut his nails or brush him.
Lindy is such a sweetie!
I am envious of all the green you have there - can't wait until we start seeing it. Our snow is just about gone though, it got up to 19 C today!

Thank you for this post. Next hike I'm trying it on my boxer mix female. She squirms and puts up quite a struggle (with sound effects).

My male, well let's go a little further into the Synergy program and try it post-hike. He's like wrestling a slippery bull in a china shop. The only savings grace is that he wears them down somewhat on his own outside.

Dorothy