First time nail trimming, should I attempt?

ACampbell · 01-19-2008, 06:25 PM

It's not MY first time trimming nails, but it's my Bullmastiffs first time having his nails trimmed. I'm unsure how he'll react to this (my basset howls like I'm murdering him and I've yet to quick him) - so is it better to leave to a professional for the first time nail clipping or attempt at home? I'm thinking it might be better to have the vet do it in case he freaks out they can sedate him if necessary...I don't feeling like scaring the crap out of my dog and having my arm removed out of fear.

MegaMuttMom · 01-19-2008, 06:30 PM

How does he do with you handling his paws? From the day we got our dog we have handled his paws including between the toes. When it came time to do his nails, it was no big deal. So, unless he has an issue with your handling his feet, I would just stay calm and get to business. He might not be the drama queen that your other one is

ACampbell · 01-19-2008, 06:39 PM

He doesn't care what I do with him, I can handle all 100% of the dog if it's necessary without a blink of an eye.
Yes Sparky is a drama queen from the word go...everything has to be dramatic with him, he yips if you verbally redirect him (a firm "NO" gets a yip like he's been kicked in the ribs) but at least he doesnt' try to bite me when I trim his nails.

Luckily all of Smokeys toenails are clear so it will be easy to see, but I don't want to run the risk of scaring him (I haven't had a need to do his nails until now) and I think the pressure from the clippers might be uncomfy...maybe I'll buy new clippers before undergoing this endeavor. Then I'll try it myself, if it proves to be dangerous at all I'll have the vet do it.

Durbkat · 01-19-2008, 06:45 PM

If you don't mind me asking, how has he never had to have his nails trimmed?

MegaMuttMom · 01-19-2008, 06:58 PM

Cherokee runs so much that most of his nails take care of themselves. His dewclaws need trimming the most. He has some black nails and some clear, I hate doing the black ones but he doesn't even act like he feels it. I bet you'll be just fine. I have a great cutter that really makes it easy to see what I'm doing.

ACampbell · 01-19-2008, 07:10 PM

It was mostly his dewclaws that needed it...the rest of them pretty much wear themselves down (I'm in Arizona, we have this stuff called sand and gravel in our yards not grass, lol) but they were getting a bit over grown (just some of them, like 3 or 4 on the back feet hadn't worn down, the rest have) I expect to need to trim them more often when we move where there's not goodies to wear his feet down as easily.
Before I got him he was on a gravel run constantly (hence why he has no fur on his elbows) so they kept pretty short.
I did manage to trim his dewclaws and rear toenails that were over grown, he wouldn't stop licking me long enough to do it so I had to be really careful, but all in all he didn't seem to mind...I was a bit apprehensive to do it since he'd never had it done (I've had him for 4 months now)

justagirl21 · 01-19-2008, 07:16 PM

For first time trimmimg take him to a quite part of the house (prefferably not the living room as thats where he plays etc) and have him sit for you. Make him understand this in not play time and that he needs to sit still, otherwise you may have a bleeder!
Remember to keep him comfortable and don't pull the leg right out or twist the paw (seems obvious but I see it done!). If his nails are black, which is common in Bullmasatiffs, cut with a large scissor nail clippper and not a guillotine type. A groomers tip for preventing a nasty bloody mess is take just the tip of the nail off and look into where you've cut, you'll see a horseshoe kind of mark. If you see that take a bit more off untill you see a little white dot in the centre, DO NOT clip past the white dot. Once you have an idea of how far to clip, the next time you'll have a guide to run off.

ACampbell · 01-19-2008, 07:35 PM

Same thing with horses, which I have extensive experience in trimming...luckily his are clear (although his feet aren't white at all, kind of strange, some have a black stripe through the side of them) and it was mostly that parts were sharp and pointy where they hadn't worn off...he let me trim them (I sharpened my guillotine style clippers first with a chainsaw file) without incident.
I also have wonder dust handy if I do clip too close, luckily I haven't yet on my basset and his toenails are black.
I intend on getting some scissor type ones, I can't wait until I can get into a Petsmart! They ahve one about 20 minutes from where I'm moving...our closest one is over an hour away.

Durbkat · 01-19-2008, 07:38 PM

I don't think I'd ever feel comfortable to trim Snoopy's nails as he has black and white nails so I'd be nervous I'd hurt him.

MegaMuttMom · 01-19-2008, 07:43 PM

Since Snoopy goes to the groomer, it's no big deal to have it done there. Now, to take Cherokee somewhere to get his nails done would be silly because he tolerates it so nicely.

The toughest claws I've had to cut were my daughter's guinea pig's. My son's hedgehog was tough because he'd ball up so I had to do them when he was in the bathtub. The cat is the worst though. You can only do them when she's zoned out in a sun spot or on my lap at the kitchen table in the morning, I know it's gross to do it there but, she's feisty. I found with her that a human toenail clipper is easier to use than a pet clipper.

ACampbell · 01-19-2008, 08:19 PM

Yeah, if I took mine to a groomer I would see the point in having it done there...however, with them both being short haired, and Smokey has this bristly ultra short hair, there's no point...I can bathe them just as well and for a fraction of the price. If I had a dog that had long hair, it would be a different story...I don't like combing hair so that's probably why I'd try not to get a dog that requires a boatload of grooming, like a Shi-tzu.