Last week I shared videos of conditioning my puppy This! to having her nails clipped. There were quite a few questions about what was on the lick mat and if I would be using a Dremel as well, so I’ve made another video for you.
You can see I’m using part of This’s breakfast for conditioning nail trims. It’s something we work on in the mornings. In fact, I’ve used the lick mat to do some form of conditioning for breakfast every day for all but 2 of the past 14 days and will continue to do so.
Important: What you see in the video is a very quick view compilation of getting to where we are now with the Dremel. Initially, the Dremel was well away from This! and I brought it in closer gradually. Being able to touch This!’s nails with the Dremel did not take a day or two, it took a couple of weeks, and we’re still working on it. You can see in the video that This! was not a Dremel fan initially, but as I wrote last week, if you are patient success can happen.
Now, I know that some of you may ask what I use to clean up after breakfast from the lick mat, and it’s diluted Thieves Oil and something that is readily available in most parts of the world. If you are in Agility Nation, you can go to Behind the Scenes for “Dog Feeding Time and Supplements” to see what my dogs eat and how I do raw food prep and clean up.
Below is a list of the resources I have for you on the topic of nail trimming here on my blog, and each has video.
- Proactive Conditioning for Dog Nail Trimming Success
Conditioning nail clippers with my puppy, This! - Help! My Dog Hates His Nails Cut … What Do I Do?
How to to help a dog who is afraid of getting nails cut, with a before and after video of Tater. - Cutting Your Dog’s Nails: How Important Is It Really?
The correct cutting technique for toenails featuring my friend, Dr. Leslie Woodcock DVM. - Does Your Dog Training Need a Shot of Joy?
Making a game of nail trimming for Swagger.
Have you used, or are you considering using the tips I have on my blog about nails? Let me know in the comments.
Today I am grateful that now we have potty training down, This! gets more freedom around the house. Here’s the “12 weeks old” celebration pic with This! and Momentum. Gotta celebrate all the milestones with our dogs!
Update: Due to popular demand, we now have “Your Dog’s Pedicure Please Program” at our store for you to start immediately online. Your Dog’s Pedicure Please Program will create a positive emotional response for your dog to grooming in general and nail trimming in particular.
We’ve had many questions about what I use for a nail grinder for my dogs, and it’s a *Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder with LED Light that I got on Amazon. I also like to use a Dremel with a *Diamond Nail Rotary Tool Bit.
[*Amazon Links Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Susan only recommends products she uses herself, and all opinions expressed here are her own. The link above is an affiliate link that, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you decide to buy from it. Thank you!]
So happy that I found this video. Sometimes I can’t even find the pedicure please program. I couldn’t afford a new dremel and the Diamond tip so I bought the diamond tipp and a refurbished dremel.
Will try turning on the dremel in the morning Have to buy a lick mat today.
/thank you Susan and team for all the good information.
I just wanted to say that I used to attach the licky mat to the wall first, then I fill it just holding the bowl underneath to catch what doesn’t stick right away 😀
I have a concern about the Thieve’s Oil you use to clean up. I thought it contained components that were toxic for dogs and shouldn’t be used around them. Have you found a dog safe formula?
Thank you for the suggestion for the diamondg rotary bit. The breeder had started the puppies with a dremel at 4 weeks of age so I’ve been keeping that up, even though I’m a nail dremel newbie. I bit the bullet to pay for the diamond bit and I love it! Her nails are wonderfully smooth and I didn’t grind my nails as well 🙂
PLEASE, tell us what Deemed Susan is using!
“Hi Everyone for those of you asking about the nail grinder Susan is currently using.
https://geni.us/nail-grinder
Susan recommends products she uses herself, and all opinions expressed here are her own. This is an Amazon affiliate link (no additional cost to you), we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase from it. Thank you!” (Team Susan)
I manage to get the claws shortened now with the dremel (my dog disappeared when I only thought of getting out the clipper), everytime the acceptance is getting better and I am really glad about that.I am lucky that the back claws are short enough just from our walks, but the front claws are too long.
I am just not sure about the angle of holding the dremel against the claws? Just from the bottom or must I also use it on the sides of the nails?
Pretending to be the floor and the normal wear and tear if the dog would scratch the claws on the floor? Or how? Its not clearly visible in the video.
We do trimming once a week on our spa day because I have a therapy dog who needs a bath before he goes into the school each week. My puppy goes insane waiting fir his turn on the table with the lock mat! I do use a table but we conditioned it for a few weeks with only body touches and no clipping. I am curious if you have to use a dremel. I hate the noise and do a great job with clipping. I know you can round them off more, but are there even greater benefits that I’m missing or can I just stick with my very sharp (won’t crush) nail clippers?
Lord have mercy! Can we correct my spelling 😂😂😂 I’m a teacher and I may die over hear with my red pen after realizing I hit send before I proofread 🤪
Here!! I’m done 😂
A small tip for Susan, when applying the lick mat to the wall, use the back of the spoon to rub down the suction cups through the food rather than your fingers.
I’ve been using a lick mat with Boris for a couple of weeks now, and while still not yet clipping his nails, I can at least handle his paws, manipulate his toes, and rub his nails with my fingers. He’s not yet agreeable to tapping his nails with the spoon yet, but we are making very, very slow progress – more than any other method I have tried with him.
Thanks for these!
There is no doubt in my mind you will get there Brent!
My dog likes to nose everything. I worry about them putting there nose on the dremel when it’s on. Do you set it on the ground, turned-off, and just let them smell it? How do you get past them wanting to put their nose on it while it’s on?
You would layer the learning Amy, the dremel noise then it close by with the dog receiving cookies for being near it and not putting their face near it. Safety first! Lynda (TeamSusan)
I like the licky mat technique for nail cutting.
I currently use a Dremel and was very easy to teach my dog.
I would also like to know which dremel is Susan using? I had one but it was trash…
What Drexel tool do you use?
Thank you so much for this info. I love the feeding on the wall! But why is that your preferred place. Why not feed on the good old floor?
Will you post the ingredients you use to feed your dogs and their supplements. The lick mat is a great idea to use with conditioning for the Dremel. Thank you so much for posting this!
I love your philosophy of re-using things, making rags (or toys!) out of old clothes… generally looking after our beloved planet. Thank you Susan. Also obviously for the nail trimming conditioning advice 🙂
What deemed does Susan use please?
Dremel – sorry auto correct
I just want to say that I loved the part about the rag and re-using old clothes 🙂
thank you for this video showing the progression of dremel acceptance! My almost 6 month old was initially pretty good with nail clipping but somehow now he is fearful of clipping and dremel so I am back to conditioning for it…in a much bigger puppy with sharp nails…sigh,,,All my others have learned to accept the dremel so I know we will get there!
I can’t condition my puppy with a lick mat like you do because she gets possessive if I touch her when eating. Something I will be working on. But otherwise I’ve been slowly working on handling her feet then tapping with a spoon and rewarding with high value cookies. She loves to give me her feet now🙂 not a big fan of the spoon yet. Slowly but surely!
I found your video with Dr Woodstock when I *really* needed it and it’s been a huge help (Nevin has mixed black & white nails, an extra challenge). I’d gotten him used to having his feet handled by fiddling with them while snuggling on the couch, but when it comes to trimmers, he’s a very long ways from being a fan 🥺 I got a newer much quieter grinder, worked to condition that & now I can use either grinder and most time, do all 4 feet in one go, just giving him a few treats as we go plus a big party at the end. Thanks so much!
I was desperate for nail info for my 20 week puppy and here it is. The most important word for me which Susan has said is “glacial.” It took the pressure off getting results because while my girl is ok with my touching front feet, she’s not a fan of my touching back feet. I have to start my work there, just handling those back tootsies. Glacial is the Mantra.