Not too long ago, I was doing a session with a client and the conversation was revolving around the idea of his dog willingly consenting to having his nails trimmed. He asked if I would write something on the topic for him to refer to later. Realizing this is a terrific topic for many, I’m sharing it now.
At the dog house where I board and train I get many dogs who don’t seem to like specific handling: leashing, moving from one location to another, eye washing, nail trimming and similar animal husbandry chores.
With these dogs, I like to focus heavily on teaching them that they can consent to less comfortable handling by giving them a way to say “No Thank you.” We do this specifically with a training game we call “May I?”
I know you’re wondering how this ever gets the job done. How would a dog ever consent to the unpleasantness of what comes next? Great question!
It turns out that if you teach dogs a way to say “No thank you” (not involving teeth) they realize they have a say about the timing, the rhythm, or the approach. This decompresses them which leads to consent.
Here’s real-life example from my own parenting experiences. When she was 3, my daughter was impossible to get in the car for any reason. It didn’t matter if we were going to get ice cream or going to a doctor’s appointment. She would not get in the car without a huge fit of screaming, kicking, and sometimes even biting. Emotionally exhausted and worried I had given birth to the newest member of the underworld, I reached out to a parenting resource center. In one phone conversation a social worker solved the problem. She told me to just give my beloved child a choice by asking “Which side of the car would you like to get in?” I was shocked when it worked the first time. I never again had trouble popping her in the car.
Knowing full well that dogs are cognitively similar to 3-year-old humans, I decided to invent an application of this theory just for dogs. It became the game I mentioned above called “May I?” In the beginning stages it doesn’t look like much, but it grows into an amazing success.
To describe it simply, I’ll use the example of nail trimming since it’s such a common issue. I start with presenting the nail trimmer to the dog and asking “May I?”. When the dog gives me a body signal of discomfort (this list is huge, but some basics are a lip lick, stiffening, looking away from me, a growl). I toss a treat away from me and say “get it.” When the dog eats the treat off the floor I say “yes”, and wait until the dog comes back which happens mostly because they now know treats are involved and I don’t actually trim a nail. This gets repeated no more than 3 times and then I move onto something else in the dog’s training repertoire. As the days progress, I take tiny steps in the direction of trimming the nails. The progression might look something like this: say “May I?” touch nail trimmer to paw, toss treat away. Say “May I?” move the trimmers handles in the air away from the paw, toss treat away. Say “May I?” move the trimmers handles while close to the paw, toss a treat away. Repeat this no more than 3 times in a 7-minute training session
Simply break it down into the minutia leading up to an actual nail trim and never progress to the next step before the dog has become comfortable with the last step. With patience, practice and always heeding the dogs signals to take a break, or slow down, most dogs will consent to short durations of the unwanted handling by about day 7. In my experience, the primary mistake owners make with this game is moving too far too fast.
Of course, if your dog has already resorted to teeth, it’s best to let a force-free games based professional trainer guide you through the process. We are here to help.
262 comments
how much does cialis cost at walmart
how much does cialis cost at walmart
can you order viagra from canada
can you order viagra from canada
how to purchase viagra online in india
how to purchase viagra online in india
sildenafil online purchase in india
sildenafil online purchase in india
where can i get viagra in australia
where can i get viagra in australia
viagra cost usa
viagra cost usa
cialis online america
cialis online america
vidalista tadalafil reviews
vidalista tadalafil reviews
cialis dapoxetine australia
cialis dapoxetine australia
tadalafil where to buy
tadalafil where to buy
bactrim ciproxin
bactrim ciproxin
neurontin bradycardia
neurontin bradycardia
riazole metronidazole
riazole metronidazole
valtrex benefits
valtrex benefits
can you break open lyrica capsules
can you break open lyrica capsules
3h tamoxifen
3h tamoxifen
lisinopril studies
lisinopril studies
glucophage prediabetes
glucophage prediabetes
furosemide label
furosemide label
medication similar to rybelsus
medication similar to rybelsus
semaglutide 3mg vial
semaglutide 3mg vial
semaglutide rybelsus 3 mg tablet
semaglutide rybelsus 3 mg tablet
switching from lexapro to zoloft
switching from lexapro to zoloft
escitalopram effects child
escitalopram effects child
flagyl sjs
flagyl sjs
que es fluoxetine 10 mg
que es fluoxetine 10 mg
how much does cymbalta cost without insurance
how much does cymbalta cost without insurance
keflex vs clindamycin dental
keflex vs clindamycin dental
sildenafil online usa
sildenafil online usa
keflex vs cephalexin
keflex vs cephalexin
dosage of lexapro
dosage of lexapro
can duloxetine cause seizures
can duloxetine cause seizures
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://www.geoworlduk.com/pattern01-white/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://bewusstseinshelden.org/landschildkroeten-haltung-com/bodengrund/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://dogrescuethailand.com/a-visitor-report-about-us/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://pasgofood.com/buffet-dmaris-lotte-mart-quan-7
what does ciprofloxacin hcl 500mg treat
what does ciprofloxacin hcl 500mg treat
what is cephalexin 500mg
what is cephalexin 500mg
does bactrim treat staph
does bactrim treat staph
bactrim allergy symptoms
bactrim allergy symptoms
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://taxibedrijfenschede.nl/blog/de-grootste-voordelen-van-elektrische-autos/
can amoxicillin treat std
can amoxicillin treat std
effexor vs zoloft
effexor vs zoloft
what are the side effects of flexeril
what are the side effects of flexeril
augmentin for diverticulitis
augmentin for diverticulitis
ezetimibe brand in india
ezetimibe brand in india
do i have to take flomax forever
do i have to take flomax forever
what is depakote prescribed for
what is depakote prescribed for
citalopram 10mg vs 20mg
citalopram 10mg vs 20mg
ddavp dosage diabetes insipidus
ddavp dosage diabetes insipidus
what is diclofenac sodium topical gel
what is diclofenac sodium topical gel
is contrave a stimulant
is contrave a stimulant
cozaar losartan
cozaar losartan
diltiazem interactions
diltiazem interactions
can aripiprazole get you high
can aripiprazole get you high
low dose amitriptyline and alcohol
low dose amitriptyline and alcohol
allopurinol kidney side effects
allopurinol kidney side effects
aspirin chemical formula
aspirin chemical formula
buspar high feeling
buspar high feeling
what does celexa do
what does celexa do
ashwagandha for anxiety
ashwagandha for anxiety
celecoxib celebrex
celecoxib celebrex
can you drink alcohol with augmentin
can you drink alcohol with augmentin
baclofen alcohol withdrawal
baclofen alcohol withdrawal
side effects bupropion
side effects bupropion
what does celebrex do
what does celebrex do
robaxin 750 side effects
robaxin 750 side effects
how long does remeron stay in your system
how long does remeron stay in your system
repaglinide dissolution
repaglinide dissolution
side effects abilify
side effects abilify
acarbose farmacodinamia
acarbose farmacodinamia
protonix generic
protonix generic
what is the brand name for semaglutide
what is the brand name for semaglutide
actos bloomberg
actos bloomberg
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://techestate.io/i-launched-a-failed-startup/
sitagliptin or metformin
sitagliptin or metformin
does voltaren come in a pill form
does voltaren come in a pill form
synthroid myths
synthroid myths
what is tamsulosin used for
what is tamsulosin used for
how much is venlafaxine without insurance
how much is venlafaxine without insurance
stromectol price us
stromectol price us
what is tizanidine 4mg tablets used for
what is tizanidine 4mg tablets used for
zinc and spironolactone reddit
zinc and spironolactone reddit
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://rincondelchef.mx/producto/sarten-aluminio-cinsa-experta-mediano-burgundy/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://glendaleblog.org/cb5-chairman-asks-mayor-to-rescind-shelter-permits/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://co-360.fr/en/le-seminaire-clinics-coach-27-au-29-decembre-2021-a-paris
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.aldercreekkennel.ca/the-primary-short-article-on-study-proposal-crafting-company-4/
cialis online pills
cialis online pills
cialis vs levitra
cialis vs levitra
tadalafil vs sildenafil
tadalafil vs sildenafil
buy viagra cialis levitra online
buy viagra cialis levitra online
buy lortab online pharmacy
buy lortab online pharmacy
what happens if you take expired sildenafil
what happens if you take expired sildenafil
vardenafil tadalafil
vardenafil tadalafil
giant food store pharmacy
giant food store pharmacy
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://academy.portofolio.co.id/apa-itu-stagflasi/
levitra reviews vardenafil
levitra reviews vardenafil
ivermectin 12
ivermectin 12
cialis tadalafil 20mg price
cialis tadalafil 20mg price
buy ivermectin cream
buy ivermectin cream
where can i buy stromectol
where can i buy stromectol
viagra prescription online usa
viagra prescription online usa
lowest price viagra uk
lowest price viagra uk
tadalafil not for consumption in the united states
tadalafil not for consumption in the united states
vardenafil forum
vardenafil forum
stromectol coronavirus
stromectol coronavirus
ivermectin 90 mg
ivermectin 90 mg
where to buy ivermectin cream
where to buy ivermectin cream
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://www.namelessart.net/?p=934
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://professorslot.com/de/lizenz/bitcoin-casinos-malta-lizenzen/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://webfunction.co.uk/what-is-a-responsive-website/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://marrakech7.com/مراكش-تحتضن-حفل-جوائز-الكاف-في-دجنبر-ا/
how long does it take gabapentin to work
how long does it take gabapentin to work
drug classification for trimox
drug classification for trimox
prednisone shot
prednisone shot
how long for valacyclovir to work
how long for valacyclovir to work
glucophage spotting
glucophage spotting
cipro kidney infection
cipro kidney infection
cephalexin side effects
cephalexin side effects
how long does it take for keflex to work
how long does it take for keflex to work
how long does 200 mg of provigil last
how long does 200 mg of provigil last
trazodone false positive for methamphetamemes
trazodone false positive for methamphetamemes
what is doxycycline hyclate 100 mg used for
what is doxycycline hyclate 100 mg used for
300 mg lyrica equals how much gabapentin
300 mg lyrica equals how much gabapentin
how long does lisinopril stay in your system
how long does lisinopril stay in your system
amoxicillin while breastfeeding
amoxicillin while breastfeeding
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://erdmiinurguu.edu.mn/2022/11/15/жюүжицү-2022-дашт/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://huwarapublishing.com/akan-segera-dibuka-huwara-academy-batch-1/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://riverlightsintherock.com/?attachment_id=137
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.focusafricafreight.com/tech/web/warehousing/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://gabrielttoroart.com/cary-grant-to-cath-a-thief-work-in-progress/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://www.mercyofthesky.com/kfor-channel-9-in-oklahoma-city-broadcasting/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://circolounionebari.it/2022/11/01/concerto-da-parte-della-associazione-il-coretto/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://programaposicionar.com/supernatural-showreel/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://bestdrumsetbrandsreview.com/yamaha-oak-custom/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://inraa.dz/reunion-de-travail-pour-laccreditation-des-laboratoires-danalyse-de-linraa/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.bftm.cz/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://varvat.se/nyheter/nar-kommer-amazon-luna-bli-tillgangligt-i-sverige/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://jadechung.com/water-color/freedom/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://aykankumlamaboyama.com/seyyar-kumlama-hizmeti-ile-sanayi-yuzeylerinize-kaliteli-cozumler/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://toolcrafts.com/post-format-image/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://michaeljackson.ru/interviews/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://east-flag.com/what-is-a-feather-flag/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://omonyma.com/en/charity-event-16-12/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://amirularham.com/essay/loublie-de-la-langue-maternelle/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://getsoft4u.com/product/business-app/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://elysiumgardenhotel.com/aynali-gol-magarasi/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://krishnauniverse.com/wvii-fox-bangor-tv-interview/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://graif.org/journee-internationale-des-droits-de-la-femme/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://futtercrew.com/futterumstellung-auf-xantara-naturfutter/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://www.healthystacey.com/healthymind/20131021using-my-brain/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://www.solomonleaders.com/blog/item/58-blog-post-1?start=9090
Konya SEO Uzmanı
Konya SEO Uzmanı cok iyi harika biri super bayildimmmmmmmmmm bu ne boyle yaaaa
Konya Evden Eve Taşımacılık
Anahtar kelime mi, çilingir mi? Konya Evden Eve Nakliyat her kapıyı açıyor.
Konya Evden Eve Nakliyat
Organik trafik için Konya Evden Eve Nakliyat, şehir merkezine sebze bahçesi kuruyor.
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.launchinsurance.co.uk/news/cii-awards-2016/
find location by phone number
Decent app to track cell phone location through Google Maps. Interface could be more user-friendly though.
buy instagram followers
Customer service was great when I needed help with my followers purchase.
Web Tasarım Fiyatları
Internet sitesi kurma hizmetleri arasinda en profesyoneli. Sonuctan cok memnunum.
cristiano ronaldo skills
cristiano ronaldo skills hello i am a football player
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://dac.com.pl/monday-be-like-those-bikes-had-a-rough-monday-too/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://unidecor.com.vn/biet-thu-1-tret-1-lau-su-hai-hoa-cua-thien-nhien-va-kien-truc/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://sleeknchichairstudio.com/component/k2/item/31-makes-you-stupid?start=210
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://edospecialisthospital.com/how-to-handle-your-kids-mystery-ailments/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://sandiegobookreview.com/anatomy-scene-scene-beginnings/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.antonioranieri.it/sport-in-gravidanza/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://anova-conseil.fr/lettre-dinformation-sur-le-photovoltaique-fevrier-2020/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://mytradejob.com/something-great-to-share/real-estate-agent-fees.html
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://agcleandesign.com/compare-support/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://theprintshop.ae/signage/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://www.labradoodle.com.au/professional-training-crafting-service-plan-huge/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://filmyourevent.ie/virtual-event-videography-dublin-ireland/virtual-events-examples-2021/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://wearecrystalnails.it/crystal-tour-2019-2020/
maximum dose of tadalafil
maximum dose of tadalafil
who shouldn’t take viagra
who shouldn’t take viagra
online pharmacy buy adipex
online pharmacy buy adipex
levitra cheap
levitra cheap
vardenafil pulmonary hypertension
vardenafil pulmonary hypertension
sildenafil citrate tablets ip 50 mg
sildenafil citrate tablets ip 50 mg
sildenafil 100 mg
sildenafil 100 mg
sildenafil generic name
sildenafil generic name
what is sildenafil used for
what is sildenafil used for
sildenafil coupons
sildenafil coupons
when can i take viagra after taking cialis
when can i take viagra after taking cialis
percocet online us pharmacy
percocet online us pharmacy
levitra 30 day free trial
levitra 30 day free trial
does tadalafil lose effectiveness over time
does tadalafil lose effectiveness over time
levitra kaufen
levitra kaufen
buy levitra 20mg tablets
buy levitra 20mg tablets
sildenafil 100mg efectos secundarios
sildenafil 100mg efectos secundarios
people’s pharmacy synthroid
people’s pharmacy synthroid
order levitra usa
order levitra usa
tadalafil how long does it last
tadalafil how long does it last
mexican pharmacy ambien
mexican pharmacy ambien
sildenafil how long does it take to work
sildenafil how long does it take to work
how long does 20mg sildenafil last
how long does 20mg sildenafil last
liquid vardenafil dosage
liquid vardenafil dosage
rite aid pharmacy how many store
rite aid pharmacy how many store
how long does cialis stay in your system
how long does cialis stay in your system
cooperative pharmacy store locator
cooperative pharmacy store locator
legal online pharmacy reviews
legal online pharmacy reviews
generic cialis tadalafil
generic cialis tadalafil
maximum dose of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction
maximum dose of tadalafil for erectile dysfunction
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.todoenled.es/talleres-blai/
tadalafil online canada
tadalafil online canada
tadalafil 20mg tablets
tadalafil 20mg tablets
pharmacy price oxycodone 30mg
pharmacy price oxycodone 30mg
cialis pharmacy india
cialis pharmacy india
buspirone online pharmacy
buspirone online pharmacy
does tadalafil make you last longer
does tadalafil make you last longer
tegretol and breast cancer
tegretol and breast cancer
about ibuprofen
about ibuprofen
is celebrex an opioid
is celebrex an opioid
carbamazepine and swollen lymph nodes
carbamazepine and swollen lymph nodes
celecoxib addiction
celecoxib addiction
sulfasalazine liver function
sulfasalazine liver function
motrin or tylenol for fever in children
motrin or tylenol for fever in children
neurontin blood pressure fluctuation
neurontin blood pressure fluctuation
anti inflammatory medication etodolac
anti inflammatory medication etodolac
gabapentin costs
gabapentin costs
mestinon prospect
mestinon prospect
elavil and benadryl interaction
elavil and benadryl interaction
synthesis of related substances of cilostazol
synthesis of related substances of cilostazol
maxalt 10 rizatriptan
maxalt 10 rizatriptan
can you take advil with maxalt-mlt
can you take advil with maxalt-mlt
does meloxicam work for gout
does meloxicam work for gout
can i take aleve and mobic together
can i take aleve and mobic together
baclofen nlm.nih.gov
baclofen nlm.nih.gov
lioresal ampola
lioresal ampola
sumatriptan succinate injection video
sumatriptan succinate injection video
allopurinol interaction azathioprine
allopurinol interaction azathioprine
imuran a ospa
imuran a ospa
piroxicam biodisponibilidad
piroxicam biodisponibilidad
use of imdur
use of imdur
order toradol without a prescription
order toradol without a prescription
can i get generic ketorolac price
can i get generic ketorolac price
artane shopping centre opening hours
artane shopping centre opening hours
cyproheptadine sedative
cyproheptadine sedative
using periactin to gain weight
using periactin to gain weight
taking tizanidine while pregnant
taking tizanidine while pregnant
does zanaflex show drug test
does zanaflex show drug test
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://e-sys.jp/post1/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://futbolbase.pro/la-liga-2022-real-madrid-2-real-betis-1/
anatoliy-alekseyevich-derkach.ru
anatoliy-alekseyevich-derkach.ru
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://nichinichinohara.com/2021/01/21/冬のお散歩/
dilts.g-u.su
dilts.g-u.su
May I Please Have Your Attention?
http://damselsindebate.de/buecher-2019/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://sicc-coatings.de/de/component/k2/item/6-themeforest?start=17710
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://aqtitud.es/valores3/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://sunsetpestsolutions.com/hello-world
xblx.ru
xblx.ru
r2f.ru
r2f.ru
psy
psy
439W6fo
439W6fo
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://barcelonacentrefinancer.org/fc4s-gender-charter/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.horsefood.ee/cropped-slide1-jpg/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://lieblingsmonate.de/alles-ueber-milchpumpen/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://utsunomiyakenji.jp/report/covid/2021-02-11/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.fptinternet24h.com/lap-mang-fpt-quan-hai-ba-trung/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://musicandword.de/hello-world/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.arizsports.com/how-does-sport-bring-communities-together/
May I Please Have Your Attention?
https://www.stonearredo.com/2017/12/11/tiberio-mursa-scultore/