Nail Trimming

[Vicki]

My dog's nails were in terrible condition, some were even growing up. (He's a rescue.) I had no trouble with bath time, or any other grooming, but boy did he not like getting his nail trimmed. I was doing just the tiniest bit, so that the blood supply would recede. He actually went so far as to growl, which earned him a very sharp "NO" not to mention the STERN LOOK. He stopped, but he was so obviously upset, panting and trembling, that I was unsure about proceeding.

Then inspiration hit. Someone gave me a manicure kit that has one of those battery powered emery board thingies, like a small drimmel tool. I got him used to the sound then touched it to the end of his nail. I've been doing this every few days, and now he just chews on his nylabone during his manicure. It works, his nails are getting better!

------------------

[Liz]

I've been using a Dremel for a few years - in fact we just finally had to go buy a new rechargeable battery for it because it wasn't holding a charge well anymore

With your pup, Jen, I'd get him used to the sound of the Dremel first, don't touch his nails with it, just let him listen to it, if he wants to sniff it or lick it, let him, just make sure it's very brief so he doesn't hurt himself. If you're sitting on the couch with him, just let it run for a few minutes while you feed him treats. After he's gotten used to the noise for a few days, get some good treats and just TOUCH his nails with the dremel - don't grind - touch then treat for a few nails a day, and work up to making the touches longer - do one nail and see how he reacts. Always give him a treat after each nail. If you have a friend who could help, have them feed him while you do a nail.

When you use a grinder, you don't want to just grind straight down, that can burn. You want to take the sides down gently, then flatten the front at an angle (like this: "\") and round everything out. Use light touches, don't press too hard, you can see the quick coming out of the nail so stop when you see the white stuff.

Once you get going, the quick will recede over time as you keep the nails short. Another way to get the quick to recede is to do a short brush on the *underside* of the nail after finishing the tips - this takes a little bit of the dead quick away and makes it recede faster.

Liz

------------------
http://www.inxpress.net/~harkon/



[Note: This message has been edited by Cosmo]

[Rrowl]

I hate doing nails too. But I've never had a problem with it. I snip a bit here and there, both dog's roll over nicely and never a peep is heard. LOL. Ofcourse if my male sees me doing the bitches nails, he gets busy and chews his own down. I'm NOT kidding. Blew me away he first time I saw him do it. Thought he was stressed about something....(guess he kinda was), but the only time he chews his nails is when they are getting a little long. And I don't mind that at all. My biggest problem is the thick TALONS on my bitch.......those horrid chunky thick nails. LOL...hard as diamond too. But generally both submit really well to it.

[Orville Story]

I never let the vet trim my dogs nails. Number one in their business they expect every dog to bite and the dog picks up on this. Number two the dogs are more stressed at the vet to begin with. Number three many vets have a clip and see if it bleeds mentality. Overall, I do believe that women are better at this. I know that is a sexist statement, but it stands to reason since they do they nails all the time.

[Jen]

Orville -

I agree with you on the vet being nervous part. But I would have to disagree with you on the nails - I have 2 horses amongst other critters, needless to say I don't have any nails. I have to hide my hands when I dress up for social engagements :-) I tried those press on nail thingys and that was a disaster. Maybe that explains why my dog doesn't like when I do his nails. He takes one look at mine and high tails it!

[Jen]

Liz -
Thanks for the tips on using the drimmel!

[Lady B]

Hmmm - those awful nails! Lady-B is a flamin' B when it gets to be that time. At one point in the distant past I had her to where I could do them all alone with the muzzle and one paw at a time. My Dad and me worked on it for 3 months before I "graduated". Seems her former owners quicked her one too many times. Then the fateful day came when I was clipping and my great niece accidentally bumped me. Now I am resigned to taking her to the vets. She really likes going there and actually pulls me to get in. It used to take three of us to do them. Fortunately he is a gem and does not expect her to bite. Very gentle and relaxed with her while holding a conversation with me. Our last time it took just the two of us. So . . slowly maybe I can do them again at home.

Baron on the other hand is a dream! The only thing he trys to do is withdraw his front paws when I use the artificial nail board to smooth 'em up. Must be those front paws are more sensitive than the rears.

They always get a scoobie treat for being so cooperative. I have an old drimmel and tried to slowly get them used to just the noise. After about 3 weeks of this I hung it up. Neither of them like any kind of weird noises. They bark or try to bite. Baron used to practice his bite work on my vacuum cleaner and would still if I don't put him in a platz before I start. The lawn mower was really scary until Rick and I started to use the rock jug. Now he is content to follow us around making sure we do a perfect job rather than try to kill that noisy thing!

[This message has been edited by Lady B (edited January 09, 1999).]