For those not familiar with a Dremel, here is a picture with a sanding bit on the end:
Product Details - dremel.com
I do not want the perception to be that I work on trimming Z’s nails daily. I do not, life gets in the way. It may be a few days a week when I feel the urge. If you have ever used a Dremel you know it is loud and whiny. Reminds me of a few …. hmmm let’s not go there. I really want to trim this dogs nails. It is embarrassing for me to be fostering a dog and have to bring her back to get the SPCA vet to do it.
When hanging around watching TV I would get out the Dremel and have Z come over and be curious about what it was, she would sniff it and occasionally lick it. The next phase is the same deal, but this time the Dremel is on at the lowest speed. The first thing I notice is that the fan on the Dremel scares her, so I face it in such a way that it would not blow on her face. She is clearly scared of the thing, like many things quite frankly.
Since she arrived we have worked on the stay command. It will be this command that will greatly help to shave a nail or two someday. She is also becoming more confident in all situations. I give my wife credit for this as she spends a lot of time with Z.
Finally I took a chance as she was sleeping next to an outlet. I plugged in the Dremel turned it on and held her back leg. Her immediate reaction was to get the heck out of dodge, to which I told her to stay. She was clearly nervous, licking her lips, eyes darting for an escape route. The stay needed to be reaffirmed several times, and when I could see she was going to stay I shut the Dremel off without doing a nail. I did this a couple of days later, and then the third time I touched a nail for a few seconds. I remained as calm as I could and more important, Z survived.
I doubt Z was too pleased, but I was darned psyched.
More to come…