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Topic: Trimming nails
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fullhouse9873
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posted November 08, 2003 11:50 AM
I'm going to attempt to trim my dogs nails for the first time. He doesn't like other people touching his feet (I'm OK) - so I figured it would be less traumatic if I just did it myself. Any pointers or suggestions would be appreciated!
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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KiKi
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posted November 09, 2003 09:33 AM
Even though your dog prefers that you handle his feet. I wouldn't attempt to try this one without first being shown by your Vet. Dogs that have black nails are the hardest to do because you can't easily distinguish where the quick begins. If you should even nick the quick slightly, you will cause pain and bleeding that is sometimes very hard to stop. You want this to be an experience that your dog associates as being positive not negative. Have someone show you how to do it for the first time. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posts: 18 | From: Aliquippa, PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Dawn
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posted November 09, 2003 02:35 PM
Definately have someone show you the first time. Try to do it on a white nailed dog as well.
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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Donna H
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posted November 09, 2003 06:34 PM
Trimming black nails really isn't as scary as you might think. Using sharp guillotine clippers shave just the tip off the nail a bit at a time. Look closely at the tip. when you have removed enough of the nail you will see the core (a dark spot in the center of the fresh cut) that's when you stop other wise you will cut blood vessels and nerves that are growing there. If the nails are over grown you can do this once a week or so to get them back to the proper length. Before you start be sure to get some Quick Stop (styptic powder) just in case you go to far back. I have been grooming for a long time and I still get one to short every now and then. Also a trick I learned long age is never hold the clippers as shown on the package,You will have better control if you insert the nail through the back side of the clipper.
If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me, Donna
Posts: 4 | From: Cheyenne, WY | Registered: Oct 2003
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Lucky Puppy
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posted November 10, 2003 10:00 AM
I just noticed that there is a 'tip' section on this website and there is one for 'trimming/clipping' nails. Check it out when you have time...it help.
Good Luck!
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Love Me, Love My Dog!
Posts: 52 | From: California | Registered: Aug 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted November 14, 2003 12:27 AM
I wish I could have the vet show me - but Chance FREAKS OUT at the vets. Last time I took him in - they told me that he needs to be sedated next time I bring him. We couldn't even put him up on the table. He's never had a bad experience there - just doesn't like it for some reason.
Unfortunately - he has black nails - so it makes it tougher. I'm going to try this weekend just taking off a little - I'll let you all know how it goes.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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KiKi
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posted November 14, 2003 09:42 AM
Is there a local Petsmart in your area? My dog loves to go there and they have a grooming dept. They could show you how to do it since your dog freaks at the vet's office. By the way, my male starts shaking at the exit 1/2 mile away from the vet's office. I know how you feel! ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) If you really have no other recourse than to do this undertaking yourself, buy some styptic powder just in case... it stops the bleeding. Also, You can buy clippers that have a safety on them which will only allow you to clip the nail so far back. Still, be very, very careful!
Posts: 18 | From: Aliquippa, PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted November 14, 2003 11:02 PM
I think I'm going to try my husky, Neko, first. He has white nails - so I'll be able to get a feel for it. Chance has grown up to be a grumpy old man - he likes to go on his walks - but other than that - he'd rather stay at home. I just don't want to take him somewhere and have a bad experience. I want him to think it's fun to go to the pet store.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted November 20, 2003 02:05 AM
AArrgghh!!! I tried trimming Chance's nails today. I couldn't even get him to come by me. I let him smell the clipper - and immediately he knew something was up. I got him over by me finally - but he was so nervous he couldn't sit still. I didn't even get the clipper by his feet. I think he could sense something was up.
So I'm thinking - I can either have my husband help me hold him down while I do it, or I'm thinking about calling the vet and getting a sedative so that I can trim them. I'm worried that if I have to hold him down that he won't want to get his nails cut again. Any suggestions?
* I wouldn't go through all this trouble - excep that his nails are really long - and I don't want them to get too long and hurt his feet. Even though he has black nails - I'm only going to trim off a little bit - just to get them back to somewhat of a normal length. I did get to do Neko's nails today (he has white nails) - and everything went good. He sat pretty good - except for trying to eat the hair tie on my arm). But we didn't cut too shortt - and he didn't get hyper or aggitated.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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KiKi
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posted November 20, 2003 11:45 AM
Ok, you may have to take this in baby steps. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Will he let you handle his feet or toes at all? This sounds like a trust issue. You may have to start with what I call the approach and retreat method. When your dog is laying down and relaxed, start rubbing his toes between your fingers, praise him and give him treats if he allows you to handle them. As soon as he becomes uncomfortable stop and walk away, letting him know what a good boy he is. You may need to do this every 10 minutes or so until he starts to think of this as no big deal. You will eventually work your way up to the nails and do this same method. I'm not saying he will allow you to do this all in one day, hovever he should get more trusting and think of you handeling his feet as no big deal. I would much rather see you try this first before you have someone hold him down. That may only make your situation worse. I used this method on my female and she has no problem now with trimming her nails. Hope it works for you too!
Posts: 18 | From: Aliquippa, PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Bohdi
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posted November 30, 2003 06:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by fullhouse9873:
AArrgghh!!! I tried trimming Chance's nails today. I couldn't even get him to come by me. I let him smell the clipper - and immediately he knew something was up. I got him over by me finally - but he was so nervous he couldn't sit still. I didn't even get the clipper by his feet. I think he could sense something was up.
So I'm thinking - I can either have my husband help me hold him down while I do it, or I'm thinking about calling the vet and getting a sedative so that I can trim them. I'm worried that if I have to hold him down that he won't want to get his nails cut again. Any suggestions?
* I wouldn't go through all this trouble - excep that his nails are really long - and I don't want them to get too long and hurt his feet. Even though he has black nails - I'm only going to trim off a little bit - just to get them back to somewhat of a normal length. I did get to do Neko's nails today (he has white nails) - and everything went good. He sat pretty good - except for trying to eat the hair tie on my arm). But we didn't cut too shortt - and he didn't get hyper or aggitated.
Posts: 10 | From: Central Florida | Registered: Nov 2003
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Bohdi
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posted November 30, 2003 07:09 PM
[Lets try this again. I started out by petting and flicking my dogs nails with my fingernails. Just enough to make a clicking noise. Then I used people toe clippers because you can only get the tip into it. If he lets you do one, stop and treat. Make sure you have styptic powder at the ready. I don't care how strong your hubby is, a rookie does not want to attempt a moving target. If all else fails get him playing on some concrete and they will file down themselves.
Posts: 10 | From: Central Florida | Registered: Nov 2003
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kmtell
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Member # 323
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posted December 01, 2003 10:11 AM
Sounds like my dog. We clipped his nails for the first time a few weeks ago. I had never clipped anyone's nails except for my own before, but the boyfriend had always done his dog's growing up and assured be it'd be fine (the dog has long black nails). Originally, I was going to hold the dog while he clipped, but that didn't work, so i ended up doing the clipping. Well, the first nail on the last foot, I cut too short....blood everywhere! The thing is that the dog didn't seem to know/care or it didn't hurt him, so he just ran around like normal, aggrivating the cut. We put some powder on it and bought some of those booties they sell at pet stores. We put that on him for a couple days and everything was fine. The problem was that every time we took him out, he'd make it bleed again, so this boot thing was the best thing we could have had. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to clip his nails again...it was probably more traumatizing for me than it was for him.
Posts: 11 | Registered: Nov 2003
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LoriAnn
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posted December 01, 2003 11:08 AM
Another thing you may want to try is putting him up on the washer on a non-slip bath mat. That is about the height of a groomer's table. This way you can see better & the dog can't get away as easily. (If he squirms your husband holding him is a good thing so he doesn't fall) Also, he will learn when he's down on the floor, it's play time & up on the the washer means it's grooming time. I suggest this to my grooming clients who have a hard time brushing their dogs as well.
Posts: 80 | From: Indiana | Registered: Nov 2003
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Groomer D
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posted December 02, 2003 06:06 PM
Hey LoriAnn
That is a great idea! I'm going to suggest that to my clients.
Posts: 26 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Sep 2003
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LoriAnn
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posted December 02, 2003 07:44 PM
I learned it from the groomer that trained me. I always suggest it, but whether or not they listen to me is another story. I still see lots of mats!
Posts: 80 | From: Indiana | Registered: Nov 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted December 02, 2003 11:26 PM
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think I'll start him out slowly - he is a little apprehensive when I touch his feet (he'll let me do it - but I can tell he's nervous)
As for putting the dog on the washer - I'm going to try that with my Husky pup. Everytime I try to sit down and brush him - he thinks it's playtime. Maybe this will help him sit a little stiller!
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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agility120
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posted December 04, 2003 03:20 PM
i would have someone show you how too.
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*aSh*
"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." -Gene Hill
Posts: 41 | From: PA | Registered: Nov 2003
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fullhouse9873
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posted December 11, 2003 12:07 AM
Update on Chance:
I've been trying to get him more comfortable with me handling his feet. Well today before nap time - I slipped the trimmer in my pocket - and snuck upsairs by him. He was laying on the bed - so I went over and was loving him up (giving him hugs - telling him what a good boy he is). Then I grabbed his foot and started clipping. I got two nails done when he finally realized what I was doing. He jumped off the bed - and gave me the "how dare you do that" look. I was worried that he might be mad at me - but I put the clippers away - told him it was OK - and he jumped back up on the bed with me. He even came up and napped right bby my head. Tommorow I think I'm going to try that again. I don't know if he's just getting used to it - or if I'm catching him when he's only half awake. Either way - it's working and it's not stressful on him or me!
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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cody
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posted December 13, 2003 12:44 PM
Our Travis hates to have his feet touched, when we got him 4 years ago as a 3 mo old, he would growl and pee everywhere if you even tried to touch his feet. his tail would go downa dn his ears would go back, not sure what, but we know that he did def have some kind of traumatic experience at some point when he was a pup. I grad. started to touch his feet while giving him his daily treat, he would assoc me touching his feet with yum yum's. Now he will only sometimes give me a hard time with the clipping. I do my other 2 right in front of him (they sit like champs while I do it) he def watches and I think that after 4 years he is finally realizing that this is painless:) If clipping a few at a time while he's napping is working, stick with it, ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Nothing like a cold nose to wake you in the morning, (except maybe three cold noses):)
Posts: 21 | From: USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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Deb
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posted January 01, 2004 12:33 PM
Our Female Shepherd does not like her nails trimmed. Two of our Shepherd competes in conformation show, so their nails are trimmed every week to keep them short. We used to use the pliers style clippers. That was a night mare. I bought a Mini Mite Dremel cordless grinder. It works great., It is quick and easy once you get them use to it.
Here is a great web page that will tell you how. I just followed the instruction;
web page
Our male has had his feet played with since birth and does not have any issues with his feet. He just sits down and lets me trim his nails.
Deb
Posts: 5 | From: Corinth, Tx | Registered: Jan 2004
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Freckles
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posted January 02, 2004 12:51 PM
I struggle with fear of cutting too short (been there), so I put off the chore. I have found that Freckles is more inclined to relax if I file. Last time I clipped very little, but enough to take the edge. Then I used one of those heavy duty nail files they use for artifical acrylic fingernails. I was surprised how much they will smooth them down. Takes longer, but the trauma level is much lower. And, it is a nice bonding time with my girl while watching TV.
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Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
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