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Help with Nail Clipping


schippsmom

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:Dog_run:

I need help with a nail clipping problem. Re-Run has never really liked to have his nails clipped but we did it last night and he got so stressed he pooped :o. I felt horrible about it because we aren't sure when it happened, we saw it after it was over. So, anyone have advice on how to go about clipping next time??

I thought of taking him somewhere but he was getting progressively worse when we used to take him somewhere. I would have to put a muzzle on him and he would scream the whole time he was back there. I decided to do it myself. The first few times were fine, well, he fought a bit and showed his teeth but that was it.

I have always played with his paws and he doesn't care if I touch them, he likes paw massages. I'm just at a loss as to how to make this less stressful for him. Thanks guys, I know you'll have great advice.

Paula & Re-Run

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Dex does not like his nails clipped either. I am slowly introducing the Dremel to him, but I can tell it is going to take a lot of time. What I would do to make it easier is to exercise Re-run like crazy (assuming Re-run is not a puppy.) I have noticed it is easier to clip Dex's nails if he is on the verge of falling asleep. Treats seem to help too!

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Nellie didn't like and still doesn't like having her nails clipped. I slowly worked my way with her by doing just a couple at a time and always having a treat for reward afterwards. Now she holds still for me when I clip them. I think praise and reward helps when doing anything they don't like :)

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Beta doesn't like having her nails clipped either, she whines the whole time. I clip one nail, give her a treat she really really likes, pet her give her belly rubs and praise her for being so brave then I clip the next one and so on. Yesterday I clipped her nails and voila! She barely whined at all!

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What we do at the grooming shop for dogs with an extremely bad case of fear for nail trimming :wink: one person holds the dog in a hug around the chest and front legs while holding the dogs head tight under your chin around your chest...then the other person clips the nails, for each nail the person trimming blows in the dogs nose....this just startles the dog for a split second while you quickly clip that nail...as soon as the nail is clipped say in a very excited tone...good dog! then on to the next, blow, clip, Good Dog! after the trimming is done give your dog a very special treat and play a little bit with him. One last thing, make sure you are calm and happy before attempting to do your dogs nails, some times the things we hate to do the most will show up in our body language...if you go through the routine of getting anxious etc. before doing the nails...your dog will get stressed out reading your stress signals :o :wink: I don't think I explained that very well :-? but, to make it simple...make it a relaxed calm event...expecially leading up to the nail trimming. For some dogs, especially those which may have had a quick cut in the past they can be very hard to gain the trust of.
Good luck.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I've been meaning to ask this same question. We have a Great Dane that is 10 months old. He weighs 100+ lbs. The past couple times I've taken him to the vet they do such a good job. In fact, they always do a better job than the groomer. Last time they were trimmed Vader went to the Vet to have surgery for his cherry eye & while he was under, they trimmed them. I want to do them but I'm not looking forward to it at all. He lets me handle his paws fine but he tries to eat the clippers! :-? Does anyone know of a good website for people that just use clippers that has pictures as to how far you cut the nail back? I'm always so afraid that I'll cut to far! Thanks in advance.............. :fadein:

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Actually, that was our Dachsie, so I just plopped her in my lap on her back, grabbed her back feet and snapped the pic :lol: She's used to me playing around with her feet, but I'm sure she was still a bit puzzled at my choice of photo subject :wink:

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  • 2 weeks later...

Have you considered dremeling? I've found that dremeling works great for dogs that hate having their nails done. It's safer, it makes for a shorter and rounder nail, it looks a lot nicer... no rough edges... :D

I strongly advise that you check out the instructions by DoberDawn at [url]http://www.greytalk.com/~jrosenberg/dremel/dremel.htm[/url] <-- here you can learn how to acclamate your dog to the rotary tool, proper technique, etc. This little tutorial just outlines what I do, and some techniques that I've found work well.

OUR PROCEDURE

First I set out my supplies so they're ready for when I do Ilsa's nails. I have the following supplies on hand:
~ rotary tool
~ treats (Ilsa gets one big cookie per foot)
~ styptic powder (I've never had to use it)
~ no loose clothing
~ Safety Goggles!!! Nail dust in the eyes hurts like heck!

"They're for your own safety, Ma'am!" NOTE; goggles are for you, not your dog!
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A767ot1lsi[/img]

After everything is laid out, I call Ilsa and she assumes the usual position - flopped over on her side. I've found that this is the easiest way - for you and the dog - to do the nails.
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A758ot1lsi[/img]

Then I sit down behind the dog and lean over her to do the nails - I find that this calms her and keeps her from escaping - it's also a great vantage point and allows great access to all four feet.
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A756ot1lsi[/img]

I hold the rotary tool like a big (and heavy) pen... like this:
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A752ot1lsi[/img]

When I do each toe - I support the tow with my other hand and extend the nail a bit by pressing on the toe pad:
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A753ot1lsi[/img]

Finished Product:
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A75%3Bot1lsi[/img]

[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A763ot1lsi[/img]

She gets her treats....
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A764ot1lsi[/img]

...and is a happy girl!
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A3584%3B23232%7Ffp58%3Dot%3E232%3C%3D39%3B%3D4%3B3%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3B%3B57%3A759ot1lsi[/img]

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I love it!

I have to admit, I have somewhat of a foot fetish on dogs. Two things that I always look at on a dog... feet and back ends (tail sets and rear angulation... I'm a sucker with too much free time to look at dog feet and rear ends) :oops: . Very nice feet! I'm absolutely jealous. I dremel, too, but with so many dogs in the house and fosters coming and going, their feet get a bit neglected sometimes. Never long enough nails to impede efficient movement, or splay toes, but certainly not those nice tight feet you display so proudly. *drool* I notched my Lab's nails with the dremel just yesterday in an effort to try to work the quicks back about like that Doberman's. Thanks for the motivation! That really is a stunning Doberman. :)

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[quote]I have to admit, I have somewhat of a foot fetish on dogs.[/quote]

OMG so do I! The vet I used to work for had a Golden Retriever... what perfect little feet!

The things that I immediately look at on a dog are feet (including nails - I'm anal retentive when it comes to nails), coat condition, front angulation and forechest (what can I say, I'm a dobe person), and HEADS... I've been spoiled - my breeder really knows how to breed a nice head, and I'm a sucker for facial expression.

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