passive agressive tactics-- or raw, unfiltered fear

Tug had a bad time with his last nail clipping just before Christmas so we've let his nails grow out to near claw proportions and everytime I pick him up I wince as scratches are dug into my arms...clearly, the time had come to take him back to the pet store (who did NOT cause the problem) and get the situation fixed.

I'll name names- we (Tug & I) were pulling into the PetSmart parking lot when he began to whimper and "moan" in anticipation- he LOVES to go there and smell everything. So, a 20 lb terrier is strong enough to pull a (censored) lb woman around and he took me straight to the back aisle before pausing. I then turned him around and headed back to the grooming room up front. As we approached and I veered off to the door, the leash suddenly pulled around behind me (he usually leads). I look around and guess who's applied the brakes and is staring at the grooming door with a "deer in the headlights" look?? Yeah, my big brave boy. (snort)

I pull on the leash and say "walk" which has worked at times. Nope- nuthin' doin'. I'm not so easily embarrassed by his behavior to let this bother me- even when, as I continue to try for the door, HE LAYS DOWN ON THE FLOOR ON HIS BELLY WITH HIS FOUR PAWS SPREAD OUT IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS!! Yes, he did!

Feeling a little bad that I'm dragging him in there (in front of witnesses- I know he wasn't being hurt physically) I bend over (that's the embarrassing part- my big ole butt being so prominently displayed) and pick him up. He's shaking so hard his teeth are chattering.

All's well that ends well. They have good groomers at our location who genuinely like dogs. I explained he'd had a bad experience and the young man who did his nails handled him so well. Tug shivered as it was happening but was such a good boy I bought him a toy I hadn't planned on!