[mixedbreed]

OK - I have a problem. My dog has black nails. I was succesful in the early puppy months in clipping them, but now - it is a nightmare! She will bite my hands - so I put on a soft cloth muzzle, and tried again. She still tried to nip me through the muzzle. I took her to the vet - he somehow stuffed up and made one of her nails bleed, I saw it, (obviously hurt).

I'm now left with a dog, who, although will give her paw to me, will allow me to stoke and hold her paw, won't allow anything even looking like a clipper anywhere near her paw.

How do I clip her nails?

[TeddieXRuxpin]

You're best bet is "happy treat time" where you bring the clippers out everyday and along with treats get her use to them. Don't try to clip her nails yet, but get her used to them and show her they are ok and wont hurt her.

Black nails are a huge factor when clipping the nails because it makes it impossible to see the quick. I wouldn't get to upset with the vet. The more the nails are cut the further back the quick will go.

[RonE]

Esther is the first dog I've had that hates getting her nails trimmed.

What works for me is to first wear her out with an extra-long session of fetch. Then we go into a well-lit area with a very good clippers and some styptic powder. I put a handful of training treats into my pocket - which gets her attention. I sit on the floor and get her to lay down alongside me.

I take one paw and clip the tip off of each nail. She barely notices, because she has her nose jammed up against my pocket, sniffing those training treats. Then I give her a treat and spend a couple minutes making a big fuss about how that's the best thing any dog has ever done in the entire history of domesticated dogs.

Then I repeat for the remaining paws.

It's actually kind of fun for both of us, but it took two years to get to that point.

[FilleBelle]

I am sad to say that the only time my previous dog (Dobe/GSD mix) had her nails trimmed was when the vet was going to sedate her for some other purpose. She was a doll in "regular" life, but truly vicious about having her feet touched, especially with a pair of clippers.

[lovemygreys]

Try to tire her out first. Second, I would avoid the soft muzzles that hold their mouth closed. That often raises their anxiety level. I'd try a basket muzzle, which allows them to open their mouth. Third...I'm a weenie with clippers but have great success using a dremel on my dogs to grind their nails back. You can still quick them, but it's pretty darn hard to do that (you'd have to not be paying attention to what you're doing and grinding them too aggressively). doberdawn.com has a great, thorough walk through.

[Inga]

I second the motion for the Dremel. Rotties are notoriously bad about having their feet handled. Mine all deal with it because it is not optional but I have found they generally tolerate the Dremel better then the clipper. Always remember to give a great treat after doing the nails. They seem to tolerate things better if they know they will be paid in the end.

[mixedbreed]

Thank you, I will try a dremel and the treats - she's very food orientated, so that would probably really help. Probably a frozen sardine Kong - her most favourite treat of all.