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Trimming Dog Nails

Rexedgar

Rexedgar

Yo-Semite!
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We got our GSD in DEC2009. As a puppy, his nails weren’t very bulky, so I tried to trim them with a guillotine type cutter. That led to bleeding nails and trying to hold baking powder/flour on the affected nail for 20 minutes or so. I started to take him to PETSMART and give them a go. He was getting fairly big, at that point, and they wanted to attach a short lead around his neck and place him on a slippery, small table and raise the table. “Wait a minute, you’re gonna hang him if he slips or jumps off!” I got the tech to clip his nails by sitting him and going to his level. On one of the later visits, the tech let me know that there was a note in Rex’s file, “he has big teeth…” He never bit anyone but there was some apprehension, when they drew Rex’s number. There was an option to grind the nails as opposed to clipping them, but it was about $5 more. A little later I opted for the grinding. They broke out a Dremel tool and we never went back. It did take a little time to get Rex to adjust to the whine of the tool, but he would willingly submit after a while without affording me the opportunity to do a full on dental exam.

Rex passed about three years ago and it was about nine months before we decided to get another dog. We got a rescue and opened our home to Lulu. PETSMART was advertising a new tool that had an electronic GO/NO GO sensor on the cutter. We went through the flour routine once again as Lulu would fidget just as I was getting ready to cut. Back to the Dremel. She hated the noise at first, but now know when we need to trim the nails and dutifully offers up her front paws. The rears are a little more challenging. Her nails have gotten just as bulky as the twice the weight Shepherd. There isn’t a cutter that is sharp enough or quick enough to cut the nails without crushing the nail……….
 
My Lab was about impossible. I had to muzzle him. Vet about wanted to knock him out to do it.
Did not like it one bit, and bet he wouldn't have went for the 'dremel' option either.
I'd get one done, take a break, ...

I didn't like the guillotine type, doesn't work well. The scissor type snips were it. Trick is to do a little snip quickly.
Like just enough to bite onto. Cuts away, no crushing.
 
Both of my dogs are weary when it comes to nail trimming. They almost slither across the floor like furry snakes, with that look like "We just ate all of your birthday cake 15 minutes ago.
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The smarter one also looks at me like "You know, you do sleep at night..." :)
 
Trimming my tiny dog's nails was a two person job. Eventually, I just started getting it done professionally. I miss that kiddo. Our current dogs don't really need trim ups.
 
Chock Full o Nuts said:
My Lab was about impossible.
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Charlie is also a lab and a 110 pound uncooperative one. It was impossible to clip his nails.

We found walking him more on roads and sidewalks greatly reduced the frequency with which he had to be trimmed.

When he needs it he goes to a groomer who uses the table and harness and a generous supply of treats. The groomer's cats are always hanging around and that helps distract him too. She gets it done quickly and with minimal fuss.
 
They tell you that if you get your dog used to getting their paws fooled with, (cleaning mud, checking for ticks and general handling,) they are more amenable to nail clipping. I agree….
 
I do my cats nails with a guillotine type cutter. he wiggles, and i get someone to hold him - works OK
 
Allan said:
Charlie is also a lab and a 110 pound uncooperative one. It was impossible to clip his nails.
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Mine would fight you tooth and nail(pun intended).
Allan said:
We found walking him more on roads and sidewalks greatly reduced the frequency with which he had to be trimmed.
Click to expand...
Where I do fail as a dog owner. Don't walk as I should. Do, but not with regular frequency.
Allan said:
When he needs it he goes to a groomer who uses the table and harness and a generous supply of treats. The groomer's cats are always hanging around and that helps distract him too. She gets it done quickly and with minimal fuss.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't eat the treats, but would eat the cats. :oops: :ROFLMAO:
He hated it with a passion, even after years.
 
Rexedgar said:
They tell you that if you get your dog used to getting their paws fooled with, (cleaning mud, checking for ticks and general handling,) they are more amenable to nail clipping. I agree….
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What I've heard, not sure if it would have helped with mine or not.
 
When you have an enormous German Shephard, you say the hell with it... and take him in.
 
Chock Full o Nuts said:
What I've heard, not sure if it would have helped with mine or not.
Click to expand...
A vet told me once that with puppies and kittens it helps if they get used to their paws handled when they're young. When they're cuddling and relaxed if you rub their paws regularly they won't freak out later during trims.
 
Allan said:
Charlie loves cats. He always wants to play with them, an activity cats are not always cool with.
Click to expand...
We run into rabbits in the yard all the time. Lulu is really quick, I used to turn Rex loose, but he wasn’t fast enough to catch the rabbits. I’m not so sure with Lulu. Plus it seems that rabbit poop is like caviar……..
 
Allan said:
A vet told me once that with puppies and kittens it helps if they get used to their paws handled when they're young. When they're cuddling and relaxed if you rub their paws regularly they won't freak out later during trims.
Click to expand...
Wait, wut?
 
Allan said:
Charlie loves cats. He always wants to play with them, an activity cats are not always cool with.
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Mine too! And squirrels, and possums, and bunnies, and moles..
IFA5771ElmyraOPCPrintedBG_YouAskedForItAgain.webp
;)
Nah, he was a hunter/protector, and don't think it could've ever been knocked out of him.
Think all he ever got though was a bunny and a few moles(latter was welcome). 'Got' a possum one night, but I went back out a few later that night, and it was gone.
 
Rexedgar said:
We got our GSD in DEC2009. As a puppy, his nails weren’t very bulky, so I tried to trim them with a guillotine type cutter. That led to bleeding nails and trying to hold baking powder/flour on the affected nail for 20 minutes or so. I started to take him to PETSMART and give them a go. He was getting fairly big, at that point, and they wanted to attach a short lead around his neck and place him on a slippery, small table and raise the table. “Wait a minute, you’re gonna hang him if he slips or jumps off!” I got the tech to clip his nails by sitting him and going to his level. On one of the later visits, the tech let me know that there was a note in Rex’s file, “he has big teeth…” He never bit anyone but there was some apprehension, when they drew Rex’s number. There was an option to grind the nails as opposed to clipping them, but it was about $5 more. A little later I opted for the grinding. They broke out a Dremel tool and we never went back. It did take a little time to get Rex to adjust to the whine of the tool, but he would willingly submit after a while without affording me the opportunity to do a full on dental exam.

Rex passed about three years ago and it was about nine months before we decided to get another dog. We got a rescue and opened our home to Lulu. PETSMART was advertising a new tool that had an electronic GO/NO GO sensor on the cutter. We went through the flour routine once again as Lulu would fidget just as I was getting ready to cut. Back to the Dremel. She hated the noise at first, but now know when we need to trim the nails and dutifully offers up her front paws. The rears are a little more challenging. Her nails have gotten just as bulky as the twice the weight Shepherd. There isn’t a cutter that is sharp enough or quick enough to cut the nails without crushing the nail……….
Click to expand...
Run him on concrete to wear the claws down.
 
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