How to Cut your Dog's Nails

Shaina · 04-08-2008, 12:40 PM

I believe Curbside Prophet posted a video once on how to desensitize your dog to getting it's nails trimmed (I know the video was here, I *think* it was CP who posted it). It's a great video, but for the life of me I can't find it back...anyone know what I'm talking about?

thevelvetsnoot · 04-08-2008, 02:24 PM

I wont cut his nails cuz I am to afraid. any suggestions?[/quote]

I just bought the "Peticure" and I LOVE IT!!! It took a few weeks to get them used to the noise but I use it once a week now and they don't mind at all- It's so crazy that I used to go through chasing them around and tackeling them to clip their nails- they hated it. I think the groomers who used to clip their nails hurt them or cut the quick- they used to HATE having their feet touched. It had to be fear of pain. I'm so happy it's gone and I don't ever have to clip again. The Peticure is a bit pricey but I'm told that a dremmel from Home Depot will do the same thing if you are comfortable using one. Well worth the investment in my opinion! MooShu & Mings Mom, Amy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbaker

Could you please describe what your doing with the dremel ? Like what attachment are you using ect ?

It sounds like an idea that would work lol but I wouldnt know what bit to use.

The "Peticure" comes with an attachment on the top that (sort of ) saves the nail shavings from getting all over the place- I'm told it's really helpful for dogs with fur on their feet that may get caught in the dremmel. Otherwise they are the same tool. I LOVE the dremmel and can't say enough good things about it. I must warn it usually takes a little bit of positive re-inforcement treat giving to get used to! The noise, although it's not too loud, can scare them off.

Motebi · 04-08-2008, 02:48 PM

I use the dremel and I love it.

Look here - it describes the use of one very well:

Dremel dog nails

thevelvetsnoot · 04-08-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motebi

I use the dremel and I love it.

Look here - it describes the use of one very well:

Dremel dog nails

How do you change the sanding bands? I'm having the hardest time trying to figure it out! Do I peel it off and shove another one over the round piece? I think there has to be a better way! Haalp!!

Motebi · 04-09-2008, 07:27 AM

There's a tiny screw on the tip of the sanding drum and you just losen that up and that makes changing bands real easy.

thevelvetsnoot · 04-09-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motebi

There's a tiny screw on the tip of the sanding drum and you just losen that up and that makes changing bands real easy.

Thanks Motebi! The video you forwarded me was super helpful. I'm going to go get it now & try and change it.

I did it! Thank you so much- I was afraid I wouldn't be able to put the new band on so I it's just been sitting there!! That was easy.

Don152 · 04-09-2008, 01:03 PM

My dog really fights the clippers.. in fact two groomers at Petsmart gave up on her. But I have been able to introduce a dremmel to her.. First just massaging her paws often and praising, then letting her smell the dremmel and even lay next to it (turned off) while I watch her (so she does not decide its a toy).. then I took it (while still turned off) and rubbed a nail a little, just a second. Then praise and play. Now I am at the point where I can turn it on and do a few seconds (longer on the hind legs) and grind one nail. Right after that.. you know what… MORE praise. I expect in a month or two I will be fully able to keep her nails trimmed.

thevelvetsnoot · 04-09-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don152

My dog really fights the clippers.. in fact two groomers at Petsmart gave up on her. But I have been able to introduce a dremmel to her.. First just massaging her paws often and praising, then letting her smell the dremmel and even lay next to it (turned off) while I watch her (so she does not decide its a toy).. then I took it (while still turned off) and rubbed a nail a little, just a second. Then praise and play. Now I am at the point where I can turn it on and do a few seconds (longer on the hind legs) and grind one nail. Right after that.. you know what… MORE praise. I expect in a month or two I will be fully able to keep her nails trimmed.

Isn't it amazing? I'm convinced that nail clipping hurts more than we know. Both my dogs are super tolerable to the things I put them through and the one thing they won't stand for is nail clipping. Thanks God for the dremmel!

spoodles · 04-13-2008, 12:13 AM

One of our dogs is just horrible about her nails being trimmed. We've brought her to a groomer and also to the vet. She has to be muzzled and it's very traumatic for all of us. I bought a dremel and it's like night and day. She doesn't mind it at all, which just shocks me.

thevelvetsnoot · 04-17-2008, 03:45 AM

I know! I felt the same way- totally surprised. It took a while to introduce them to it and get them used to the sound and the vibration but once I did ONE nail, they were fine. I think they were afraid it would hurt. I'm convinced that nail clipping hurts no matter what- I think some dogs paws are more sensitive than others but it must pinch down on a nerve on top of the quik. I think it's a mistake to compare dogs nails to humans.

poodleholic · 04-17-2008, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by primalspy

Hello, I have a question that relates to this topic. My wife and I just got a puppy labrador. I want to say that he is around 3 months old.
I just tried to clip one of his sharp nails and he let out a little yelp...so I stopped in fear that maybe it is too soon. I have never had a "puppy" before. So my question is..."Do you have to wait until a certain age to cut the nails?" Also for those of you using the dremel, I believe that someone else asked what bit to use and soforth and no one answered.
Thanks!

It's not too soon, however, you may not be placing the clipper correctly. I don't like nail clippers at all! A dremel is so much easier and faster. I have the mini mite, and use the sandpaper bit. I have Poodles, so place a nylon stocking (kneehighs) on - the nails pop through, so there's no danger of catching hair on their bracelets. Watch for ears, too, because if the dog dips his head to sniff or bite at the dremel, it can catch hair on the ears. I usually pull my dogs's ears up, and put a velvet scrunchy around them (loosely). An excellent site to learn how to dremel is DoberDawn - here:
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merens...awn/index.html

How to dremel is on the left side bar.

Pai · 04-23-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghan&Pedro

If you know how to follow ridges on the bottom side of the nails, it will let you know where the quick is - even on a black nail.

The ridge under the nail shows where it's safe to cut, right? No ridge = the quick part of the nail?

hungover · 07-09-2008, 04:55 AM

having accidentally once cut through the quick put me off doing the nails until i found the quickfinder clippers.

They have three led.s that act like traffic lights.

red means do not cut
amber means you are close to the vein
green- you're good to go.

be advised that they are sold if different sizes depending on the size of your dog.

They do take a while to get used to but are great for rebuilding your confidence