Nail Cutting

[dobbie]

Hello, I have such a hard time cutting Maxs' nails. Its so bad that when my boyfriend tried he bit him. When you show max the nail clippers he runs and curls up in his corner and shakes. Ive read some of your advice buy getting him use to his feet being touched. Everthing was fine before we were able to cut them now like over night he does not want to have his nails cut. Is there something that I can make him sleepy or very calm to cut his nails? If I bring him to the vet it will cost me over 100$ to cut them if he has to be tranqualized. I know it sounds bad but I dont want him to be scared enough that he pees when he sees the nail clippers or has to be muzzled and tied and held down that will surley make the next time worse. But his nails are in need to be cut soon. can anyone tell me what would be best for Max I hate to see him scared and why would he be scared to get his nails cut all of a sudden? Thank you:

[tangtang]

Make him run over some concrete everyday.......you won't need to cut his nails then. My previous dog, a "hovawart" who I had for 11 years got his nails cut once as a puppy and never again. He run them down himself. Any road will do the job.
good luck

[debbiej]

most dogs don't wear their nails down quite evenly. People here told me about dremmeling a dogs nails. it takes some getting used to. If you do a search of the archives, you will find many helpful threads about how to approach nail care.

[SABELLESMOM]

I use a dremel. But whether dremel or clippers, have treats (hot dog slices) handy. Make a fuss. Praise and treat each nail as it's done and treat (muzzle or not) after each nail. Give a break after each foot. Speak in simple calm tones. No wishy washy "oh, poor baby" voices.

I like the dremel better as there's a bit of wriggling and squirming, and I was afraid of cutting the quick. That hurts! So I switched to a dremel with a sanding barrel attatchment. I prefer the cordless, so you can follow the dog.

If you can see the underside of the nail, stop if you see a slight white horseshoe shape. It means you're getting close to the quick.

My friend prefers clippers. Her dogs don't seem to like the sound the dremel makes.

Some dogs never "love" getting their nails done. But they can learn to be less fearful and tolerate the proceedure. Be firm, gentle and consistant. You'll get there.

[bleh60]

Be firm, gentle and consistant. You'll get there.

Great advice, as well as no wishy washy voices. Dont let him feel its a big deal to cut his nails. Be as confident as possible, (even if you arnt ) because your dog really feels you and if you do quick him, then he'll freak even more if you do. Maybe do a foot a day. see how it goes. Take tons of his favorite treats and feed them slow but consistantly, to keep him mind off his feet. Also, dont let him see you doing it, sometimes it can be more upsetting to dogs. and also, praise like mad when he is good! that way, it sticks with him.

let us know how it goes.

[JemarsSerena]

We use the clippers and then a soft file to smooth them out. It all starts with regular feet touching then praise. Everyday, several times a day. I like to cut them when she's worn out because she won't fight me.

[dobbie]

Thank you for all your advice I will work on Max getting him to like his nails cut. I will keep you all posted.

[Baxter's Mom]

I taught mine to lie down and a lay on their side for clipping nails... I started off massaging, then touching their feet, paws, going through the motions and when they raised their head or became startled, I calmly, firmly and gently talked to them and placed their head back down and all the while continueing holding the foot that created the "startled" reaction. I use the clippers, both accept it even though they don't like the "clipping" sound... Then lots of praise and love and play afterwords, and a special cookie for being a good boy and good girl!! lol... It just takes time, practice and patience. You'll get there...

[moondog]

Originally Posted by dobbie

When you show max the nail clippers he runs and curls up in his corner and shakes. ...Everthing was fine before we were able to cut them now like over night he does not want to have his nails cut. ...I hate to see him scared and why would he be scared to get his nails cut all of a sudden?

What kind of clippers are you using and are they sharp? My experience with the guillotine type is that they tend to squeeze and/or crush the nail (VERY painful for the dog), especially if they are dull. A good heavy duty plier type is the best for clipping. It's also possible that you got too close to the quick (also painful for the dog)...those are a couple of reasons he may have gotten leary of the clipping. Make sure you're only taking a sliver off at a time.

Play "this little piggy" with his feet and have some YUMMY treats handy to reward him for tolerance - at first with each toe, then every other toe, then each foot. Pretty soon he'll be begging you to play with his feet. Then introduce the clipper with a touch (not a clip), then treat. I'm sure he'll be wiggling, but best to spend the time to get his trust back. Don't baby him, but make sure to reward for tolerance.

I use a dremel and a plier type clipper - I usually spend more time when I'm dremmeling because Chili is upside down and expecting tummy rubs in between toe grinds, LOL....if I'm short on time, I'll just use the clippers. I prefer the dremel, really.....

[newbrunswick]

I noticed that Maggie, when playing with her stick, likes to lie on her back while she makes all these crazy faces. I've taken this opportunity to rub her belly, touch her feet and her nails, look in her ears - she doesn't seem to mind when she is in this lovey state. I haven't actually gotten to the point of cutting her nails yet, but I've heard that this is the easiest position to do their nails as the nail is in the "right" direction for you. I agree with others, you need to take it slow - instead of a marathon session, try one foot - then a break (even if a day long break) before you go to the next foot. Lots of treats (the high value ones - not the ones they get for just being a good dog) and of course lots of praise.

[AngelBunny]

Wer'e involved in Rottie rescue and have been a foster home for eight years. One male foster after another has come thru our home. Most were not good initially about having their nails done, but learned to tolerate nails being done. In my experience, it's a combination of a no-nonsense attitude, lots of treats and praise, correction for biting, and frequency. I use heavy-duty clippers. Nails are part of the weekly go-over in my house, tho with fosters who are learning to tolerate nails being done, nail trimming occurs alot more often.

Our last foster (about a year old) disliked having his feet touched--never mind having his nails done. I worked on his nails every day, several times a day, for a month. This dog would do anything for food, so I used his intense food motivation to get him to accept having his nails done--I started doing his nails at mealtimes. He quickly learned that he'd get his meals quicker if he stayed still while I did a nail or 2 or 3.

For another foster, I started doing his nails when we were out on walks. He was distracted by what he saw on walks and I used his distraction to get him used to having his feet touched and his nails done.

Another suggestion is to take off only a bit at a time. For a dog that's not the greatest about nails, I find it's better to trim less off a nail more often than it is to trim alot off a nail less often. Familiarity breeds contempt.

[dobbie]

thank you all very much for the info I will look into a dremel. I will keep you all posted as to what we accomplished.

[tuckersmum]

I got a tip from my vet that I should try smearing a generous amount of p-nut butter on a plate and let Tucker dive in while I do his nails. It worked great for 2 nails, which i was VERY happy about, because Tucker dislikes nail trimming so much that he will growl and bite the clippers. His nails are so long that I have to take more than an 1/8" off and i hate that he gets so distressed. But thanks to the awesome advise here, we are going to tackle this slowly and calmly...HELP!!! LOL

So i only do 1 toe a day or every 2 days

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by tangtang

Make him run over some concrete everyday.......you won't need to cut his nails then. My previous dog, a "hovawart" who I had for 11 years got his nails cut once as a puppy and never again. He run them down himself. Any road will do the job.
good luck

This only applies to a very small percentage of dogs. Most dogs don't do enough roadwork on hard enough pavement to keep them trimmed down as short as they should be. You might have been lucky enough to have had one that never needed trimming, but believe me, you are only in about 1% of the population of dogs that are that lucky.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by tuckersmum

I got a tip from my vet that I should try smearing a generous amount of p-nut butter on a plate and let Tucker dive in while I do his nails. It worked great for 2 nails, which i was VERY happy about, because Tucker dislikes nail trimming so much that he will growl and bite the clippers. His nails are so long that I have to take more than an 1/8" off and i hate that he gets so distressed. But thanks to the awesome advise here, we are going to tackle this slowly and calmly...HELP!!! LOL

So i only do 1 toe a day or every 2 days

If he is growling and biting the clippers...you should buy a muzzle and muzzle him. The muzzle may keep his mind occupied away from the nail clipping.
I'm not a big believer in giving in to dogs that don't like their nails cut. Do it quickly and effeciently....there is not need for any fuss or muss.
You really must go with a no bull crap attitude.

Do it once a week, same day, same spot,etc. Always take only a little off of the nail so you do not quick the dog. Have some Quick Clot ready and on hand if you do quick the nail. It's not the end of the world...dog will not die.

Gina