Nail Trimming & Bathing

[katie_fleming]

Hey everyone

I'm hoping you can help me with two things I'm trying to get Jasper to do. Let me file his nails, and getting him to take a bath.

He won't let me hold a toe and file it. I get about one quick file in before he steps up or tries to eat the emery board. I really don't know how to do this any other way. Please help!

So far I've been spraying him with water once a week (light spray over his head/body) and he tolerates it, but doesn't enjoy it.

I put a tiny amount of water into the bathtub (not even enough to fill the bottom completely) and he refused to go in. I also have a small bucket (like a kitty litter tub) and he will go in it, but NOT when there's water in it.

I have been really successful with target training (he'll step up onto a standalone perch, will go into his carrier, turns around, etc) so I tried using that to get him into the tub/basin but he refuses.

Please help! I want to make bathing enjoyable for him but I'm not sure how. And his nails need a trim BADLY.

Edit: I just got a perch last night to help file his nails but I was told I need to file them myself as well.

 

[Selestine]

The only way Zephyr will take a bath is if he showers with a human. And the water has to be cool. He really, really loves it then.

As for nail filing, I wimp out and have a pro do it x.x Zephyr shakes hands, though. I guess you could teach Jasper to shake and then work on teaching him to leave his foot in your hand longer and longer before he gets his treat. Once he leaves his foot in your hand for a while, make him let you file a nail before he gets a treat? Or maybe smear some peanut butter on the top of your hand that he will be distracted licking instead of eating the emery board?

 

[katie_fleming]

Thank you! I will continue working with him

 

[weco]

For the nails/talons, get a couple of pedi-perches, the ones with the smooth top & bottom, then mount them so that he has to use them to drink & eat from his water & food dishes.....probably means moving other things around, but when he uses them, they will do for you what you're unable to do.....

 

[MrsKay]

I think having a vet or someone experienced to trim the nails, then use the perches as described by weco to keep them at that length.

 

[RavensGryf]

I have a manzanita perch covered in blue sand. It even has an acrylic toy at the end... I've gotten complements on it, it looks deluxe, but DOESN'T WORK at all as a nail file perch. The guys use it all the time, and Griffin has needles for toenails!

MrsKay!!! I've been missing you