As I was clipping Cooper's nails this week, I realized how lucky I am that this is a non-event for him. To be clear about it, he doesn't run in circles for mani's and pedi's. It's no day at the spa, but he tolerates it. This isn't the case for many dogs and cats. The very sight of clippers gets their hearts racing and causes anxiety. So, us owners do what comes easy - we make an appointment with a groomer or vet and pay someone else to do it. This doesn't have to be the case. I said I was lucky, but I should have said that I followed good advice when Coop was just a pup. I worked at getting him used to the idea of regular nail trimming sessions by introducing something pleasant during these sessions. For Cooper, this can mean only one thing: snacks. I'd clip a nail and give a treat, making sure not to change my tone at all. The natural response is to go with a overly comforting tone which sends a signal to your dog that something's up.

You might see Scott and his companion, Cooper, around town. In addition to working for and representing PHS/SPCA, they also volunteer at the Magnolia Center in Burlingame.

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