Training Tips on Getting Pup used to Dremel

[ZRabbits]

I plan on using a dremel for my pup. I do clip lots of bunny nails and had to work slowly getting them used to having their paws touched and handled. Since it best to train when bun, or even pup is young, was wondering what others have done to get their pup used to dremels, or even nail clipping. I have an idea but was just curious.

Also is this good info on dremels and it's use?

About Dremel Tools for Dogs | eHow

Thanks

KAZ

[Charlotte K.]

After bunnies, a pup should be easy! Maybe you should give us some tips!

[Labradorks]

Besides messing with my pup's paws on a daily basis early on, as well as ears, mouth, etc., which helps, I introduce the dremel first in the off position. I touch it to the dog, the nails, paws, etc. And each time I touch I treat. I might do this two or three days. I then turn it on when the pup is tired/calm and treat when he settles down. Usually mine are just slightly curious about the noise, not afraid.

When I'm ready to dremel, I lay the pup on his back (which most pups don't mind, and this is one of the positions I use when messing with his feet) during a time that he is calm. Even now with my adult dogs, I plan my dremelling after a day or hiking or other activity where I know the next day they are going to be super mellow. After daycare, play dates, etc. would also work.

I turn the dremel on and hold it to the nail for one second, then treat. The next nail, and treat, etc. I praise lavishy and keep things happy. If you have done things right, at this point the pup isn't going to flip out, rather he will likely try to roll over to get up or pull his foot away. I can tell the difference between scared and "I just don't wanna!" and if it is the later (honestly, I've never had a pup be truly scared of the dremel), I will continue to hold the paw. I won't hold it hard, just hard enough that the pup can't escape. Any time the pup settles, I return my grip to gentle. If he pulls, I tighten up. If this is taking a long time, I might just do one paw as to not over-do things. But I will only stop when the pup is doing what I want, not while he is struggling or throwing a fit. If you let your pup go any time he struggles, then he learns that if he struggles, he will escape or you will end the session.

If all is going well, I continue with each nail, then treat. During the first few sessions, I don't strive to make the nail perfect, and with puppy nails it doesn't take much anyway. As time goes one, I spend more time on each nail, or go back to a nail if I need to. I also, as time goes on, treat after each foot. Eventually, I treat after I am completely finished. Usually, it's a frozen meaty bone outside for a couple hours so I can get stuff done around the house.

If your pup is having a hard time with it, you can dremel just one nail and treat every day for awhile. Or one one day, and maybe the next day you will get two. This might be the way to go if you are nervous doing nails or new with a dremel anyway. Or, if you know you will give in. Or if four paws is too much for your pup. Just set yourself up for success which means ending on a positive note for both you and the puppy. Just make sure that the puppy getting up and ending the session was your idea, not his.

My pups now will lay on their backs and when I finish their front feet, I literally spin them around (I do it on the kitchen tile) to get their back feet. They ofter fall asleep after the first paw. Sometimes they will fight it a little, especially Linus who is 11 months, but I just hold the paw until he's dong trying to see if he can win, and when he knows he can't, he relents. It's probably his least favorite thing, and I do still treat him often. Sam, on the other hand, falls asleep right away and never struggles. I think Linus will get there, eventually.

[ZRabbits]

After bunnies, a pup should be easy! Maybe you should give us some tips!

Thanks, stepping back now, definitely the pup will be easier. But using the techniques I did with the bunnies will help. Bunnies are such a high stress level animal that you need to introduce everything slowly. The noise of the dremel needs to be addressed as well as actual nail clipping. I didn't use a dremel because of the noise with the rabbits. But did allow them to get a look at the clippers. Did touch paws and look at nails. With the smaller rabbits, they learned to relax on their backs on my lap. Not trancing, but they are relaxed and looking around. Even fall a sleep sometimes, lol. The bigger bunnies are done on the floor, same slow introduction to the clippers, lots of treats at first too. Can lift paws and trim nails. I trimmed more frequently at first because was nervous about hitting the quick. Black nails are a bear to do. But as I got used to using the clippers, and the bunnies got used to the consistent routines, I was able to go a good two weeks for maintenance. Every one gives me a big of a "tantrum" afterwards. Nothing aggressive. Just a well meaning thump or nudge. All it is really is their way of relieve a bit of stress, which is very stressful for a rabbit to be on his back.

Just be part of the routine of grooming. Slow and steady. I do have a battery dremel that I bought for Jake. Will start with that and definitely want to get a better one. Don't know if there was any tips in that, but thanks for your reply as it did make me realize I'm kind of overthinking things. But that's just the excitement.

KAZ

[ZRabbits]

Besides messing with my pup's paws on a daily basis early on, as well as ears, mouth, etc., which helps, I introduce the dremel first in the off position. I touch it to the dog, the nails, paws, etc. And each time I touch I treat. I might do this two or three days. I then turn it on when the pup is tired/calm and treat when he settles down. Usually mine are just slightly curious about the noise, not afraid.

When I'm ready to dremel, I lay the pup on his back (which most pups don't mind, and this is one of the positions I use when messing with his feet) during a time that he is calm. Even now with my adult dogs, I plan my dremelling after a day or hiking or other activity where I know the next day they are going to be super mellow. After daycare, play dates, etc. would also work.

I turn the dremel on and hold it to the nail for one second, then treat. The next nail, and treat, etc. I praise lavishy and keep things happy. If you have done things right, at this point the pup isn't going to flip out, rather he will likely try to roll over to get up or pull his foot away. I can tell the difference between scared and "I just don't wanna!" and if it is the later (honestly, I've never had a pup be truly scared of the dremel), I will continue to hold the paw. I won't hold it hard, just hard enough that the pup can't escape. Any time the pup settles, I return my grip to gentle. If he pulls, I tighten up. If this is taking a long time, I might just do one paw as to not over-do things. But I will only stop when the pup is doing what I want, not while he is struggling or throwing a fit. If you let your pup go any time he struggles, then he learns that if he struggles, he will escape or you will end the session.

If all is going well, I continue with each nail, then treat. During the first few sessions, I don't strive to make the nail perfect, and with puppy nails it doesn't take much anyway. As time goes one, I spend more time on each nail, or go back to a nail if I need to. I also, as time goes on, treat after each foot. Eventually, I treat after I am completely finished. Usually, it's a frozen meaty bone outside for a couple hours so I can get stuff done around the house.

If your pup is having a hard time with it, you can dremel just one nail and treat every day for awhile. Or one one day, and maybe the next day you will get two. This might be the way to go if you are nervous doing nails or new with a dremel anyway. Or, if you know you will give in. Or if four paws is too much for your pup. Just set yourself up for success which means ending on a positive note for both you and the puppy. Just make sure that the puppy getting up and ending the session was your idea, not his.

My pups now will lay on their backs and when I finish their front feet, I literally spin them around (I do it on the kitchen tile) to get their back feet. They ofter fall asleep after the first paw. Sometimes they will fight it a little, especially Linus who is 11 months, but I just hold the paw until he's dong trying to see if he can win, and when he knows he can't, he relents. It's probably his least favorite thing, and I do still treat him often. Sam, on the other hand, falls asleep right away and never struggles. I think Linus will get there, eventually.

Thanks so much for the tips!

KAZ

[Sam I Am]

Your pup will likely have already been introduced to nail trimming by the breeder, so it's a matter of keeping up with it. I make handling feet (and ears and mouth) part of my daily snuggle routine. With the dremel I start with low speed on young pups and higher speeds as they get bigger. I trim weekly. I've never had an issue with it, but part of that might be because I wasn't expecting one.

[ZRabbits]

Your pup will likely have already been introduced to nail trimming by the breeder, so it's a matter of keeping up with it. I make handling feet (and ears and mouth) part of my daily snuggle routine. With the dremel I start with low speed on young pups and higher speeds as they get bigger. I trim weekly. I've never had an issue with it, but part of that might be because I wasn't expecting one.

Yep, but does suggest with a dremel to start right away and to trim every week. So basically just have to keep up what the breeder did and expand with the dremel. Thanks for the tips on the speeds.

KAZ

[jake&Tex]

I have also found to just stick with a regular Dremel, and skip the cheap knock-offs. The Dremel, even at its lowest speed, does a quicker job - which ensures that the stone is not grinding on the nail too long and getting too hot.

We worked Ace up to it in baby steps, all while he was eating out of his food bowl. First just messing with his feet, then setting it next to his bowl while off, then turning it on, then tapping his foot with it (not with the stone part, of course), then tapping one nail with it, until we gradually got to fully trim all nails. As of right now, one of us holds him with a peanut butter jar and the other does the nails. I am so glad to have started this when he is still a puppy! My older dogs are not fond of having their nails clipped, and I wish I had started them both on the Dremel when they were younger.

[ZRabbits]

I have also found to just stick with a regular Dremel, and skip the cheap knock-offs. The Dremel, even at its lowest speed, does a quicker job - which ensures that the stone is not grinding on the nail too long and getting too hot.

We worked Ace up to it in baby steps, all while he was eating out of his food bowl. First just messing with his feet, then setting it next to his bowl while off, then turning it on, then tapping his foot with it (not with the stone part, of course), then tapping one nail with it, until we gradually got to fully trim all nails. As of right now, one of us holds him with a peanut butter jar and the other does the nails. I am so glad to have started this when he is still a puppy! My older dogs are not fond of having their nails clipped, and I wish I had started them both on the Dremel when they were younger.

lol, every dog we had loved peanut butter. Thanks for your experience with starting with Ace. Like the fact that you worked with him while eating.

Definitely don't waste money on cheap knock-offs, but we didn't know better. Jake hated it anyway as we started with it later than sooner. Will invest in a regular dremel. Definitely will be worth it and will be an important tool for me for grooming.

KAZ

[Sam I Am]

I just borrow hubby's out of his toolbox.