toe nail trim day

Yesterday was nail trim day for the 3 Ratties. That's 48 nails and a few dew claws. All 3 of the Ratties don't like it much, Penny is the worst, screams and carries on. Rickie didn't attempt doing Molly the JRT as she figured 3 dogs was enough for one day, As a matter of fact Will, the foster, didn't quite get all the way done.

Rickie had dreaded trimming Will as he is usually like an EEL when trying to get him to do something he doesn't like or want to do. Will's nails are also black which makes it difficult to avoid cutting them too short and hitting the quick.

All 3 of the dogs went on a fairly long walk on the Centennial Trail (which is asphalt) to file down the rough nail edges after their ordeal.

Will did pretty well on his walk. We had decided that it might be better for him to go without any of the other dogs as he had been a handful last time when we took all 4 together. Yesterday he met several bicycles and was OK with them. He also met 3 dogs, 1 on a leash and two loose. He didn't pay too much attention to the 2 running loose behind their people, but the small dog on a leash was a different story. He began to bark (loud) as soon as the dog approached and didn't stop until the dog was 25 feet past us. Of course I had forgotten his treats so I couldn't get him distracted too well. He was better than last time though, so I think talking to him in a calming tone as the dog approached helped.

Taking Will for a walk is a long process. He must look at everything and pee on every weed, stick and blade of grass more than 2 inches high. Will also is very interested in bugs that are in the bushes, having to "nose" them and investigate.
Larry