toe nails.

[chewys mom]

I know search it but honestly I don't have time so here we go.

chewy had huge long toenails when I got him, over the almost two years I have been cutting them but as you know black nails I am afraid to go too short because he doesn't like me doing it but will let me if I hurt him I will have a problem. I paid for it to be done once and honestly I do a better job so no more 15 dollars to have a worse job done, the problem is that his nails still seem to be too long. some are perfect but others are way too long. If I just keep working on it will it get shorter in more time? He won't let the vet do it without a fight either. He trust me to do his nails I know how but I think some are too long. He also gets walked on cement all the time until the snow comes. some of his nails he has broken or split and part of that at least if not all of it is from slamming his feet into things like chairs beccause he likes to spin our chairs around to chase the lights that go around the room and he has slammed them into the furniture and walls as well. any ideas here, we are getting some nasty scratches when he decides to run us over or my son gets him too excited playing and he gets too wild. My son has a bruise from it. thanks a million everyone.

chewys mom

[Patty1231]

If you had time to write all that, you had time to do a search. A search would actually have taken less time.

[SonnyRott]

No running around slamming into walls or chasing lights if it were me.

Regarding nails.....clip (or if you have a dremel), do so at least twice per week. Take off only a small amount each time. Use a heavy duty, SS dog file to round off and smooth the still long nails. With filing, at least if he gets you, you won't be scratched. In time, you should see results. They may never be as short as you'd like, but they will be manageable.

Cement does nothing to shorten my dogs nails.

[RottiNkids]

Originally Posted by chewys mom

I know search it but honestly I don't have time so here we go.

chewy had huge long toenails when I got him, over the almost two years I have been cutting them but as you know black nails I am afraid to go too short because he doesn't like me doing it but will let me if I hurt him I will have a problem. I paid for it to be done once and honestly I do a better job so no more 15 dollars to have a worse job done, the problem is that his nails still seem to be too long. some are perfect but others are way too long. If I just keep working on it will it get shorter in more time? He won't let the vet do it without a fight either. He trust me to do his nails I know how but I think some are too long. He also gets walked on cement all the time until the snow comes. some of his nails he has broken or split and part of that at least if not all of it is from slamming his feet into things like chairs beccause he likes to spin our chairs around to chase the lights that go around the room and he has slammed them into the furniture and walls as well. any ideas here, we are getting some nasty scratches when he decides to run us over or my son gets him too excited playing and he gets too wild. My son has a bruise from it. thanks a million everyone.

chewys mom

The key here is to show patience make a comittment to cut one or two nails a day--reward/praise afterward. Cut only a small amount beyond the tips and try to walk some on the hard surfaces; despite the results of (or lack thereof) of some it does help to keep my girl's nails at bay and dulled.

Good luck!

[SonnyRott]

I wouldn't have the patience to cut one or two nails a day. Better to spend 20 minutes twice a week and get the entire job done. This will keep all nails even. As a comic frequently says...."GET 'ER DONE!"

[chewys mom]

thank you for the answers I wasn't doing it weekly but as it seemed they grew bigger I would cut so I will do that weekly then. He lets me do what I want. As for the walls well that is his thing he acts like a big goof and runs around like a nut like they do after bathtime. the lights are another story that I just found out are bad so that is something else. He is just a cluts who acts like a 9 week pup.

thanks a bunch

[pazzo]

Lucky for me Santo loves to go outback and he takes one of the rocks (next to our concrete patio) kicks it onto the patio and hits it all over! he can do this up to an hour! He loves it, in the meantime he is shaving those nails back and I rarely have to do them now! When I do them I use a dremel.

[GuySusanDurnil]

Does the noise from the Dremel worry or annoy them?
My Maynard doesn't like Guy's beard trimmer or the vacuum, so I'm thinking he won't appreciate the dremel tool much either.

[SonnyRott]

It is something that they can be desensitized to. Because after they get used to the noise, they will need to get used to the vibration on their nails.

I used cheese for the desensitization period. Dremel turned on with a small piece of cheese on top. The dog had to approach the dremel and eat the cheese himself. No nail trimming at first. I repeated this over and over. It got so when he saw the dremel, he would drool. If I remember correctly, I was using it within a week or less.

I still use small pieces of cheese as a reward. But only now, he gets a small piece after each paw is done. For us, one slice of cheese is plenty for all 4 paws.

[Cash]

Originally Posted by chewys mom

I know search it but honestly I don't have time so here we go.

Hi Chewy's Mom & welcome back. You've always had an unique way of asking for help and offending people all in the same sentence!


I have taken to the practice of "copy & pasting" threads that help me or are of any personal interest. So, I hope that the author of this thread doesn't mind my posting their words here:

I'd suggest that you put on a collar and leash so he can't run too much amuck, and then you trim one nail. Now do NOT release him immediately after doing that one nail. You do not want him to think you do a nail, then he tears off.

Try this process:
Get your materials together - brush, comb, nail tools.
leash and collar the dog (attach the lead to something if necessary
Brush the dog and go over him with hands as well, Examine ears, teeth and feet, then brush some more
Trim one nail (do not release dog)
Brush some more
Massage with hands,
Walk dog on leash to your treat bowl (should be in a different area)
Treat dog and then release.

Next day, same thing with a different nail

[miccmill]

Originally Posted by Cash

I'd suggest that you put on a collar and leash so he can't run too much amuck, and then you trim one nail. Now do NOT release him immediately after doing that one nail. You do not want him to think you do a nail, then he tears off.

Try this process:
Get your materials together - brush, comb, nail tools.
leash and collar the dog (attach the lead to something if necessary
Brush the dog and go over him with hands as well, Examine ears, teeth and feet, then brush some more
Trim one nail (do not release dog)
Brush some more
Massage with hands,
Walk dog on leash to your treat bowl (should be in a different area)
Treat dog and then release.

Next day, same thing with a different nail

I must say, this post worked for me. Got us on the right track for a grooming session that included nail trimming.
I might add, don't have a lot of chatting like "It's ok, you're ok etc." This doesn't actually calm the dog down or the groomer for that matter

[sunflower58]

Does anyone have a suggestion on the best nail clipper to buy or are they pretty much all the same. I have read the articles on the dremel, but am looking for just clipping them. He is just a puppy 4 months, does that make a difference in selection?

[Canadianrotti]

I like the scissor kind, with a back stop just in case. Don't use the back stop as a guide as to how much to cut, it is there just in case your dog moves while you cut.

I have found the guilitien (sp ) kind to be a lot more trouble. You have to get your dogs nail in there, then try to figure out how far to cut.....

I just place my index finger and thumb on the nail where I want to cut, then quickly move the cutters into place and snip.. done befor you know it.

[majicka]

I found the best nail clipper ever..it's made by Greenies and they finally came out w/ a large size. It's a little pricey and you can't change out the blade but I've found it to be worth every penny. It has a double blade which is enclosed and has a 'dial' that you can adjust it to cut 1/2 inch, 1 inch etc off the dogs nails. Since it has a barrier inside you can't overcut. It also has a built in dremel type tool, you flip it over, turn it on and file away! Another bonus..it 'catches' the nail clippings inside and you flip a little door and they empty out.

Care a lot pets.com has it.

[MaCaNs]

I have 4 days a week I trim nails. My baby gets uneasy when I trim her nails, so I do one paw at a time, every other day. Its quick, and you don't have to deal with a scared pooch! Just a thought....