Given that I pay for my dogs' food, housing, education, vet care, and
recreation, they da__ well are going to permit me to brush teeth (and
even do some minor scaling), and trim nails. Period. End. Of.
Sentence. I am the leader, and I set and enforce in a fair and
consistent manner, all household rules.

So I make certain that all dogs that come to live with me permit this
type of care. I do it through training, and conditioning, not
punishment. Regardless of the age of the dog. They don't have to
"like" it. They simply must permit me to do it. The individual dog may
select a preferred flavor of toothpaste, and whether he prefers nail
clipping, filing, or use of the Dremel for nail care... based on
reaction to each of these.

Jo Wolf
Martinez, Georgia