I had problems at first...

[Skip]

I know a professional handler who puts a muzzle on her rott and three people hold him down while she clips the nails. I think this is a lot of stress that could have been resolved in other ways.
I have to cut my boy Rocky's nails twice a week. He's now 2 years and 4 months. I just started very slowly with him at 8 weeks old. I played with his toes daily. The first time I actually clipped his nails, I was only able to do one that nite easily. He immediately got a treat. A couple days later..a couple more nails. Go slow...be patient...I think it's just another way to
bond with your dog.

[TrishB]

How sad!! :( Has the professional handler had this dog since it was a pup? If so, I'd question how 'professional' they were.

That being said, I cannot clip my Aussie Cattle Dog's nails. Bridget was a rescue and had many other issues to deal with (severe seperation anxiety, high prey drive and fear aggression) that I considered a higher priority. She literally screams like a child when I try to clip them. It hurts me to do that to her (which of course, has only reinforced the behaviour, I know, I know... :o).

So we walk her a lot, which wears them down. Otherwise, I get the vet to cut them for me. So I cheat! ;)

If your dog is ever going under anesthetic for any reason (even just sedation), get the vet to clip their nails. They can go as short as possible (and if they go too short, they have the tools available to stop the bleeding). That way, while your pup is sleeping, they get a manicure and a pedicure - and they're none the wiser! ;)

Of course, it doesn't replace the proper handling that should have occurred during her puppy hood. I plan to play 'this little piggy' with my new puppy daily! :D

[Miabella]

Oh yes, the great toenail struggle. I rescued my dog when she was about 2 years old, and I don't believe she had any regular pedicure experience when she was younger. Her nails were ridiculously long when we brought her home. She hates hates hates having her nails clipped. It was always a very stressful event, with lots of whining, struggling, and general carrying on. It was a two person job, as it was necessary to physically restrain her, and her flopping and movement led to nipped quicks on more than one occasion. Then I started to file her nails with a Dremel tool. What a relief. I have been able to maintain a much shorter nail length without any danger to her, and the only restraint necessary is a down-stay.

[ILoveRotts]

I too have a rescue that hates nail cutting. He was 14month old when we got him and had extremely long nails.

At 6 years old he is still extremely uncooperative. We do have a technique that he is happy with. Mind you - he is a little weird. We muzzle him (he likes it - he wants it on - walks right into it) and then we put a blanket over his head (he likes that too - we play with him that way) and then my husband hog ties him with his legs. I told you this dog was weird. But in a situation where most dogs would freak, Drake is then calm.

We tried the nail file but that didn't work. He wasn't having any of it.

My other 3 aren't over joyed with nail cutting but sit quietly and tolerate the procedure. We don't muzzle them. I agree a professional trainer who's had the dog since it was a puppy should not have to use a muzzle. Something is wrong.

[Trinitii]

Omg Iloverotts!

I would love to see a picture of that hehe. What characters our rotts are.

Trinitii

[Magooch]

This is a bit long I am so sorry but I need HELP!!!

I am having a problem with my little guy now with having his nails cut..The past two grooming visits the groomer could not cut his nails and I had to go and help hold him..The first time with alittle holding we got it done..He fought us like a bucking horse..I worked with him each day just touching and holding his feet after this and he doesn't like it..He does not want his feet touched..I can't blame him I really don't like my feet touched either..When I grab his feet he pulls them away..
This last visit to the groomer was a nightmare..I went with my girlfriend to help the groomer and my little guy was crazy..He wouldn't let anyone touch his feet..We restrained him and got his back cut..He snapped a few times at the groomer,so we muzzled him,which I was not to happy about,to get the front,but no luck..He bucked and growled and pulled away so hard that as I was holding his front leg I thought I was gonna pull his leg out of the socket and kept letting go..This wasn't working so we stopped and went home with only the back cut..I didn't want to let him win,but the stress was high in there on everyone..
We got my little guy when he was 2 months old..He is 2 and a half now and been going to this groomer his whole life...We take him at least 4 times a year for a bath and alittle clipping..He has never been the least aggressive or uncooperative to the groomer...He actually likes his bath even the last 2 times,it's just the nail cutting these two times...And after the last time and we stopped all he did for at least a half hour was play with the groomer who tried to cut his nails..So I know he isn't scared or mad at the groomer..He's never muzzled when he's being groomed or given a bath..

PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

[Carina43]

Hi Magooch...try having some of his very favourite treats, like hot dogs or liver - something REALLY good that he doesn't get often. Just handle his feet - one quick little touch or pet, & give him a treat. Keep doing this - it might take some time for him to get used to it. But if he starts to realise touching feet = really good treats, he should come around in time, and eventually you can start doing his nails.

You might also try a dremel tool instead of clippers.

[Judi W]

It makes the problem much worse in the dog's eyes to have total strangers wrestle it around doing something it hates. Others here on the forum have learned this and been able to teach their dogs and do them at home themselves. It doesn't matter when starting out if you get only one nail at a time, but home is where such common things as grooming should be done. Grooming on the Rottweiler is fairly simple, clean, brush, check ears, teeth and do nails - once a week! When you send them out of course, they have to fight and get all the nails done and go even further because I know you aren't doing it weekly and they get too long. We've got another (actually several) threads about doing nails.

Weekly. This is not just grooming, but behavior training and best done by the owner. These "little guys" aren't going to get any smaller or weaker so start working at home in a more secure environment. Use a Dremel tool and you do not risk quicking the dog and making him hate it even more.