We’ve all done it… stepped on the cat’s tail, hit the dog with the ball we were tossing in play or spoken more crossly than intended. Nothing can destroy the trust between you and your pet faster than unintentionally hurting it.
You end up feeling as bad – or worse – than your pet. These injuries can be remedied quickly, but some hurts are far more intense and the trust takes longer to heal.
Up at the top of the list is “cutting” your pets’ nails. Near the base and inside the dog’s nail is tender pink tissue called the quick. Using old-fashioned clippers puts lots of pressure on your pets’ toenails even before it cuts through the nail.
Clippers also give you less control and make it more likely that the quick can be accidentally cut, resulting in pain, bleeding and a great, big loss of trust.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Now soft rotary filers like Peticure make pet grooming painless and remove the fear that you’ll hurt your pet, so you’re both more comfortable.
If somehow you still resorted to using your old clipper, know that regaining your pets’ trust takes time, patience and calm behavior.
· Stay relaxed around your pet (hard to do when you’re holding a clipper).
· Speak softly and offer a little treat – even for doing nothing.
· Sit on the floor with your pet and wait for him to come to you (be patient… no quick movements).
· Throw out the clippers and start using a filing tool for all your dog grooming needs.
You’ll both be more relaxed. And isn’t that what trust is all about?
