- Location
- United States
I couldn't access this forum yesterday, something about the host wasn't online, so I couldn't post.
BUT Aspen - seemingly overnight - has developed a fear of not only his nail clippers but also his toothbrush!
This July he will be 15 months old. Clipping his nails was one of the (few, IMO) things that I did a really great job of solidifying with him. I made sure to handle his paws a ton and introduced him to the clippers early on. He was so good about getting his nails clipped that it was a job I could do on my own with only the distraction of a Kong. That's a win in my book!
But the other day I brought out his clippers to do a little trimming, and he bolted as soon as he saw them. The last time I cut his nails I didn't cut his quick, but he yanked his paw away quickly and I think the feeling shocked him. Pippa mentioned that some dogs don't enjoy the pinching/clipping sensation and that I would probably have to go back to square one, re-introducing him to the clippers with food. She also mentioned that it might be easier to use a different looking set of clippers for this.
Then last night I took out his toothbrush and he bolted again! It was so weird because he loves his toothpaste and always sits for me to brush. I even said "You wanna brush your teeth?" and he looked at me and wagged his tail. As soon as I started walking towards him he bolted. I don't know if he thought we were playing chase or what.
Either way, I am worried about both of these new fears. Nothing has changed and he hasn't gotten hurt by either of them. I am the only one who grooms him, brushes his teeth, clips his nails, etc. Essentially, I feel like I am the parent who does the "not so fun stuff" and I am afraid it will make Aspen scared of me. I do also feed him and take care of 95% of everything else for him, but seeing him run up and then curl up behind my BF when I tried to brush his teeth was kind of a gut-punch because I felt like he was so afraid of me.
What do I do? Just re-introduce him back to everything?
BUT Aspen - seemingly overnight - has developed a fear of not only his nail clippers but also his toothbrush!
This July he will be 15 months old. Clipping his nails was one of the (few, IMO) things that I did a really great job of solidifying with him. I made sure to handle his paws a ton and introduced him to the clippers early on. He was so good about getting his nails clipped that it was a job I could do on my own with only the distraction of a Kong. That's a win in my book!
But the other day I brought out his clippers to do a little trimming, and he bolted as soon as he saw them. The last time I cut his nails I didn't cut his quick, but he yanked his paw away quickly and I think the feeling shocked him. Pippa mentioned that some dogs don't enjoy the pinching/clipping sensation and that I would probably have to go back to square one, re-introducing him to the clippers with food. She also mentioned that it might be easier to use a different looking set of clippers for this.
Then last night I took out his toothbrush and he bolted again! It was so weird because he loves his toothpaste and always sits for me to brush. I even said "You wanna brush your teeth?" and he looked at me and wagged his tail. As soon as I started walking towards him he bolted. I don't know if he thought we were playing chase or what.
Either way, I am worried about both of these new fears. Nothing has changed and he hasn't gotten hurt by either of them. I am the only one who grooms him, brushes his teeth, clips his nails, etc. Essentially, I feel like I am the parent who does the "not so fun stuff" and I am afraid it will make Aspen scared of me. I do also feed him and take care of 95% of everything else for him, but seeing him run up and then curl up behind my BF when I tried to brush his teeth was kind of a gut-punch because I felt like he was so afraid of me.
What do I do? Just re-introduce him back to everything?
