Ask Ashley: Great Plains SPCA

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My dog’s nails are getting very long, but she won’t let me clip them. When I try to hold her paw, she struggles to get away, yanks her leg from me and screams in terror. I’ve tried desensitizing her by feeding her treats while gently tapping her feet with the clippers and she accepts that, but as soon as I take her paw in my hand, the drama begins. She lets me touch her feet in other situations but not when she can see the clippers. What do you suggest? – Maureen Rose

Play some games that require holding her paws like shake or high-five. Reward her when she lets you hold her paws. Play with her toes a little when you are holding her paw in your hand and give her big rewards when she lets you do that. Lay the clippers on the ground and throw some treats around them. Let her get used to them without trying to trim her toes. Then open and close the clippers to make noise so she gets used to the noise and give her treats if she stays close by. Each training session try to go a little closer to her paws. When she is ready, cut just one toenail. If she does a great job, reward and be done. Try to get a few more nails the next time and a few more the following time. Go slowly and you will get this. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

How much is a normal amount for a puppy to pee? How long can they hold it? I’m having trouble housebreaking a new puppy. Please help me. - Fraser Martinez

Establishing a routine is an absolute must for housetraining puppies. Put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule so you can predict when your puppy will need to go potty. Take the puppy out frequently, like every hour, and reward every time the puppy eliminates outdoors. You can tether the puppy to you with a leash and hook it to a belt. Every time you see the dog start circling or sniffing, take the puppy outside immediately. Keep your puppy on leash while outdoors during potty time to stay focused on the purpose for being outside. Your puppy can free roam outside once fully house-trained. – Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

I dropped some medication on the floor and my dog almost ate it! It scared me to death to think she could have gotten sick or worse. How do I get my dog to stay away from dangerous things like medication that falls on the floor? – Pippa Capolino

I recommend teaching her the “Leave t” command. Put a treat on the ground and cover it with your hand. You can use your foot if you have a mouthy dog. Say, “Leave it” and wait for the dog to stop trying to get the treat. Once the dog stops trying to get the treat, ask the dog to sit, then reward her with a different treat. She does not get the “Leave it” treat because that could be medication. “Leave it” is different from the “Wait” command. “Wait” means she gets it eventually and “Leave it” means she never gets it. Repeat this until she sits and watches you when she hears “Leave it.” Then try not covering the treat and “Leave it.” Repeat until she gets it. Once she has learned the command, you can use “Leave it” for things that drop on the floor, dead animals on the road when you are walking, or even other people and animals on walks. It is a great command that can help keep your dog safe. - Ashley Flores, CPDT-KA

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Featured Pet Bio

Pluto

Pluto was rescued by the Great Plains SPCA HERO (Humane. Education. Resources. Outreach.) team after living on a chain for his entire 10-year life. Despite the hardships of his past, he is an incredibly gentle soul. He makes friends with everyone he meets as long as they go slow and provide lots of treats. Pluto’s most adorable behavior is when he ever-so-gingerly paws at his favorite humans to ask for more attention and love. He's an out of this world good boy ready to be adored by his forever family.

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