Me again! I have a SBT and his claws are in need of clipping (whilst wearing shorts I quickly realised how long and sharp they have grown in a short space of time!..ouch!!), for the first time, and I am a little nervous as some of his claws are white and some are black. The white ones are obviously easier to see where to cut, but the black ones make is slightly more difiicult, plus he is a wriggler! I was hoping that someone could give me some advice on the best way to tackle his claws, I'm sure the more I do it the easier it will become. Should I take him to the vet and see how it is done?

I aksed my vet recently about this as my youngest Cav has very sharp claws. She said that because she is only a young pup I should try to file them with a nail file and she is too small and wriggly to clip them. They have shortened quite alot though now since she has been able to go out. I find throwing a ball for her up my driveway is a good way to file those shapr claws down as she loves to run up and down my drive !

You usually cut the 'hook' bit of the claw at an angle away from the body.

Jesse

If you can manage to do all the white ones first this will give you a guide as to where to cut the black ones to. You can get special dog nail files that curve up on the edges so you dont file the paw by mistake!

Thank you for your advice ;-)
I've just tried filing the nails and his face was a picture he didn't know whether to lick, chew or sniff! quite amusing! I only used a regular nail file, I think I will invest in a dog one as you suggested and I see alot of ball games on the patio!

I tried the dog file, but it didn't work near as well as the human types - but the human types bent. So what I finally settled for was a foot file:) Works an absolute treat!

Wendy

Oh yes-the clipping/trimming nails dilemna-well-I have after about 10 years-finally figured this out-and yes-I've had dogs for over 30 years-so I was a slow learner. I'll tell you what works for me.

On your pup-I'd suggest going to a beauty supply store and buying an acrylic nail file. black,very coarse nail file.You know what they use in nail shops to do acrylic nails. Works GREAT on dogs. I always start my dogs out with that and work them up to the nail clippers and then the Dremel cordless drill.

Have treats handy-and do one paw at a time-give a treat after finished with each paw.....

Hope this helps

Pat Boldt

"I'm sure the more I do it the easier it will become"

If only life was that easy... my three hate it, have always hated it and will always hate it... very really need to trim two of them, they grind them down on their walks, the third and oldest is way to cool to be seen pulling and tugging, shes worked out you do not get there any faster, only more knackered. Unfortunately her nails need trimming and after 8+ years it is still a battle, with those short stubby little legs that she can make disappear under her tank like little bod in an instant its a nightmare. She will not allow any one to roll her over or up end her so its all down to patience and bribery. I use little chunks of cheese, (only white). Every time she lets me sit with her when I have the cutters, she can recognise them from a distance! she gets a treat, every time she lets me lift her paw she gets a treat. Once the confidence has been gained, and you are clipping the nails keep her guessing with the treats. Its a little bit easier with 3! She is half torn between making sure the others do not get a look in on the cheese
and forgets to bury her legs! After @ 1 hour!! its all over for a couple of weeks.... the youngest one insists she gets her attention, she comes over and plonks her self down waiting to have hers trimmed.
I just pick up her paw pretend to have cut a nail...then shes of like a whippet, over excited and jumping everywhere, happy as larry, the other is like a hoover, busy looking for any bits of cheese...fat chance!!!

After many many years of dog grooming, I discovered an almost foolproof way to clip dogs nails without the trauma of it happening 'in their faces'. Not having the time to cajole and treat, etc, I had to resolve the problem quickly and humanely. This is for small dogs only, as that was all I did. I made a head sized black bag out of windcheater material, with a drawstring at the opening. Popped over the head with lots of soothing words, I found the dogs were disoriented and distracted by this sudden change of situation, and that window of opportunity was all I needed to do the job. Lots of praise and games when the bag is whipped off with a flourish, and no harm done, but nails clipped. Certainly not necessary for teaching a new one, but a great solution for long term dramas!
RR.

luckily i have never had to clip my dogs claws - they wear down through roadwork... its a good job because I do not fancy fighting willis (great dane) with a sharp implement - I know which one of us would get hurt (me)!