Help with cutting his nails

[tysstpmom]

I have a 115lb rottweiler who as a puppy was hurt when his previous owners cut his nails. When my boyfriend and I even touch his feet he gets extremly upset and will start to growl and bark. Hes a extremly loving dog and would never bite either of us, but his nails are extremly long due to the fact he will not let us cut them. I think if we can relax him enough and do not hurt him while we cut them he will allow us to cut them. My questions is can i give him something to relax him, a mild sedative or herbal medication to relax and calm him. Or dose anyone have any ideas? I know its going to take atleast two of us if not three..... one to two to hold him down and one to cut his nails. Thanks inadvance for you help

[sophie's-mom]

Here is something you might want to try before trying to sedate him!!

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/nut...ighlight=nails

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Nyla's Mom]

Also, I've been told that at night when they are very tired is a good time. Also I know this is going to be difficult but you should slowly ease into making it a point to touch his paws on a regular basis. This will help with him feeling confident to let you do so. It will take some getting use to for him but just be patient. I know this is not any easy situation to deal with & hope you find a method that will work for you. Good Luck!!!!

[shybird]

Please don't think that he "won't bite". My first recommendation is that you wonder over to the local pet shop and buy a muzzle if you are going to do it yourself. It is much better to be safe than sorry. If the nails are extremely long, they must be done now. You can work on the de-sensitizing later. A professional may be the answer to start. That way you are not the bad guy right off the bat. Doing rescue, I have had to deal with dogs that won't let me, so I've hog tied them. (tied up both ends so they cant' wiggle away) and just do the job.

Working on de-sensitizing requires treats and patience. I like to use liver treats for nails. That is the only time they get them. Sit down and touch foot and treat for no response. Growl, no treat. When dog willing lets you touch and hold foot, move to the next step, clippers buy the nail. Continue until you can cut the dogs nails. I prefer grinding the nails rather than cutting.

If you do a search on nail cutting, you will come up with a lot more information. My main answer to your question was that the dog may very well bite, use caution.

[sophie's-mom]

one more thing you need to remember is...WHO IS BOSS?

You or the dog?

If the DOG is boss then take him to a groomer.

If YOU are the boss...get it done!

Harsh but true.

[tysstpmom]

I have a muzzle and a pair of clippers. Thank you for all your help. I think what we might do is give him a bath and then attempt to cut them. Thanks again

[JemarsSerena]

I agree with the idea of either wearing him out first or waiting to he is almost asleep for the or both. Use treats and praise. Also, take every opportunity to touch his feet, ear and mouth. Help him get used to being inspected even if you are not in the process of nail cutting, ear cleaning or teeth cleaning (inspect).

[smileygirl]

One of mine got "nicked" and it took almost a year before we could cut the nails without the "protest"...I was sooooo close to getting a muzzle...but didn't have to in the end...we won't mention haw many bags of treats we went through to achieve this...now only WE cut the nails. It was a slow process but now it's done in five-ten minutes. Good Luck...Tina

[dennisj]

We've had the same problem. Our male never gave us a problem. I just showed him the clippers and we went outside and we clipped his nails. Our female on the other hand would always fight us touching her paws. She was about a year old when we got her and we figure she had been hurt alot when she got her nails cut. We've always muzzled her and my wife has to hold her while I would clip. It has gotten better over the years, but it's still not her favorite thing. I wouldn't try to take too much off the nail all at once. Just try to shorten them enough without hitting the quick. If you can do that often enough he should start to realize that you won't hurt him and it may not be such a problem. It can be a real wrestling match though.

[tysstpmom]

So to tire out ty we took him for a run down our local bike path. Came home and Cut his nails. It was still a struggle, but after about a box of treats we got them cut! But the next morning when he went out for a walk, he only went half way before wanting to lay down. He came back inside and layed down all day. He jumped up on the bed a few times but mainly layed on the floor. He isn't yelping or anyhting, but he looks sore. Hes still walking fine but just slow. After laying down all day he took a full walk last night. and he jumped a few times in the late evening. He jumped off the bed and ran to th door a few times like he usally does in the night, but was still laying down alot. I feel horrible. And i dont know what to do. This morning he took another full walk and hes been laying down for most of the morning and early afternoon. Is he just sore from running? we ran for about 30 minutes and took breaks. Any suggestions? thanks again for all your help!

[AngelBunny]

tysstpmom, how fit is your dog?

[tysstpmom]

I run with him twice sometimes three times a day, short distances, 1/4 mile or so

[Staff's]

I had my bitch's nails done while she was being spayed. I told the vet to cut them short because she was always so hard to trim. The spay did not bother her at all but she would not walk or even get up on all fours for several days without us pulling her up. We ended up putting her in several inches of warm water in the tub with ebson salts several times a day for days. You really couldn't see it unless you looked really close but the nails were very sore and almost got infected. I have not ever used anything but a dremmel again. You may have gone shorter than you thought?

[tysstpmom]

Its not the front that are giving him a problem, it's his back right that he is favoring. Last night he seemed to be getting back to normal, he was walking his normal speed, and jumping. He got up on the bed this morning and has been his normal self for the most part.

[Staff's]

The back nails get the same as the front so I'll bet you went farther back than you thought and now it is growing out and not so sore. Just think about how painful a hangnail is and then think of the dog's toenail.....once they get quicked they don't forget for a long time.