Tried to for the first time just before. The puppy didn't bark or wince or anything, just retracted her paw as soon as I clipped. Is this normal or an I hurting her? Stopped after the second nail because I got worried. I don't think I'm clipping too far (only clipping just so the fur is covering the nail).
Is recoiling a normal reation to clipping nails?
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Very normal. It actually sounds as if she did very well for the first time. Start associating the nail clippers with positive things. let her sniff them and give her a treat. Clip one nail and give her a treat. Don't worry abut clipping all the nails in one session. Just keep things positive and upbeat. And don't forget that your attitude towards the task, whether you are worried about hurting her or nervous, or upbeat and relaxed will transmit itself to her.
Haha another newbie moment I guess. Her reaction was very well except for the recoiling which was why I got worried. She did not mind the clippers being near her nails at all and even tried to lick them. Thanks!
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Just so's you're clear, "too far" is determined by how long the nails are; not how long they should be. The quick grows out with the nail, and recedes as the nail is gradually cut back. You should only be removing a small amount of nail at any one session.
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My dog flipped out at the vet's the first time we had his nails clipped. It took two assistants and the vet to hold him down and he even expressed his anal glands, he was so upset and wild.
The next time, the groomer did it. She said she had to muzzle him to clip his nails.
This is a 6 month old puppy, too!!
The next time, the groomer did it. She said she had to muzzle him to clip his nails.
This is a 6 month old puppy, too!!
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My puppy isn't the greatest at staying still when we clip her nails. At first she just had the same reaction where she pulled her paw away. Then the next time we tried cutting her nails, she started to make a tiny yelp sound everytime we cut them. I was afraid I was getting close to the quick until I went to another nail and she let out the yelp before I even squeezed the clippers! Now I wait for her to be really tired and just do two or three nails in one sitting. I'm hoping she gets used to it soon.
I'm jealous that yours is taking it so well! Levi loves to sniff and mouth the handle of the clippers, but does not like them much when they are in my hands!
I'm jealous that yours is taking it so well! Levi loves to sniff and mouth the handle of the clippers, but does not like them much when they are in my hands!
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Gir did fine when I clipped her nails the first time, until I got to her last nail. I accidentally clipped too far, and made her bleed. I was so upset with myself 
She does just fine when the vet or the groomer does it. Because she is a large pit bull mix, the first time I took her to get them trimmed, the groomer looked scared, but she told me that Gir was very well behaved, and the vet has never had a problem...no muzzle or restraints needed. I wish I could trust myself to clip her nails by myself again, but I know that because I am nervous doing it, that would transmit itself to her and cause her to be scared of the process. I don't want to do that.
She does just fine when the vet or the groomer does it. Because she is a large pit bull mix, the first time I took her to get them trimmed, the groomer looked scared, but she told me that Gir was very well behaved, and the vet has never had a problem...no muzzle or restraints needed. I wish I could trust myself to clip her nails by myself again, but I know that because I am nervous doing it, that would transmit itself to her and cause her to be scared of the process. I don't want to do that.
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Don't be too hard on yourself, we've all done this once or twice. It doesn't hurt for long and they don't remember. I didn't even know I'd gone too far until I saw blood on the floor several minutes later.Gir did fine when I clipped her nails the first time, until I got to her last nail. I accidentally clipped too far, and made her bleed. I was so upset with myself
Go ahead and try it again and use a lot of praise and treats. When I get out the clippers Kit literally throws herself on the floor and puts her paws up in the air. I pull her into my lap and she goes limp until I'm done. I can't take credit for that (she came that way - lucky me!), but I certainly encourage it with a high-value treat when we're done!
I've also heard that a dremmel tool can work wonders if you desensitize properly. Anyone have success with this?
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