Paws for thought
For something we handle on almost every groom, we don’t often stop to think about just how much is going on inside a dog’s paw. And perhaps understanding what’s actually happening down there might explain why so many dogs have rather strong opinions about us touching them.
But first, a little perspective.
The human body does some pretty remarkable things.
Just to name a few:
Biomechanical shock absorption
A hydrostatic system designed to store, release and uniformly dissipate impact energy during movement.Counter-current thermoregulation
Arteries are tightly woven with venules, helping prevent internal body heat from being lost through the soles of the feet and protecting us from freezing temperatures.Sensory and grip functions
Sensory nerve endings detect terrain, pressure, temperature and vibrations.Flooring impacts
Kinetic studies show that soft versus hard flooring can create significant variations in foot placement, pressure distribution and the biomechanical load on our limbs.
Now, what if we told you all of this happened in just one very small area of the human body? You’d be very impressed. Scientists would also be busting down our door claiming fake news, because we would, in fact, be lying. But not when it comes to canine anatomy.
A dog’s paw pads are highly specialised shock absorbers, temperature regulators and sensory organs, while the unique anatomy of the paw influences grip, gait and vulnerability to environmental hazards.
When you take all of that into consideration, it makes a whole lot of sense that a dog could be an absolute angel for every aspect of grooming, right up until you pick up a paw.
There are 34–36 bones in a canine foot, depending on whether they have a dew claw, compared with 26 bones in the human foot. Dare we say it, even with eight fewer bones, we too would probably be disgruntled if we were standing for a haircut and our hairdresser randomly picked up our foot for a clean-up between our toes. You can’t go from foils to feet, Gloria. A bit of warning next time, please!
And we haven’t even gotten to the nails themselves yet.
Diana Armstrong (USA) currently holds the world record for the longest fingernails, with a combined length of more than 1,306 cm. There is a reason there isn’t a canine category.
When a dog’s nails continually hit the floor, they can place additional pressure through the toes with every step. Over time, excessively long nails can alter the way a dog stands and moves, contributing to discomfort and potentially affecting the feet and limbs.
Just another possible reason for discomfort around paw handling in the grooming space, and why Diana can certainly hold onto that record.
So, if we understand why dogs can be so precious, and understandably so, about their feet, what can we do about it?
1. Don’t be Gloria
Weight distribution is incredibly important when it comes to dogs feeling comfortable during grooming. When we suddenly remove one of their paws from that balance equation, we may immediately invite them to tense up or pull away.
Try moving more slowly and inviting the dog to work with you. Keep the foot within its natural range of movement rather than pulling it laterally or holding it somewhere that feels unnatural.
2. Opposites attract
When trimming a paw that seems to be doing its own rendition of an Irish jig, try briefly lifting the opposite foot. This can encourage the paw you’re working on to stay stationary for balance (most of the time).
3. Cuddles and compliments
If you have another person available, asking them to help can sometimes make all the difference. Gentle support around the dog, along with praise, pats or another suitable distraction, can help take some of the focus away from what’s happening down at the feet.
4. Start ’em young
Arguably the most important one: educate owners about introducing puppies to gentle paw handling as early as possible. The best solution to the problem is to have no problem at all! (Hello Puppy Desensitisation course)
That can include gently holding the paw, touching between the paw pads, brushing the feet and gradually introducing vibrations using the back of clippers or even an electric toothbrush. The aim isn’t to force a puppy to tolerate paw handling, but to make these sensations familiar and uneventful before they become a necessary part of regular grooming.
We’re not saying canine feet are better than human feet (mainly because we’d very much like to keep our own), but dogs certainly rely on theirs for an enormous amount.
So keep that in mind next time you’re faced with a dog struggling with having its paws handled. From their perspective, the feeling is weird.
There’s a reason children’s hairdressers use things like toy-car chairs, distractions and iPads. Humans take time to get used to strange handling and new experiences too.
Unless you’re Gloria. She just cuts straight to it. (Pun intended.)
Be patient, be gentle.
With love,
igroomhub
X
The blog is just the beginning
igroomhub is an industry membership built for the modern dog groomer - tutorials, masterclasses, business resources, industry discussion and a whole lot more.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
If your clients can't tell the difference between "we're closed" and "we're upset with you," that's not on them. That's a business with no system underneath the relationship.