Hi, I'm wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the less painful method of docking tails, I have found a vet who does both ways and as my girl isn't due for 2 weeks he has said he will leave the decision up to me on which way it is done. My girl and the stud are both working spaniels and the pups will be going to working homes, therefore the call is there for their tails to be docked. I know that there will be some element of pain on both counts but really am looking for the less painful way. Hoping someone can give me advice,
thank you
Terry

I preffer banding because I believe it leaves a nicer finish and the tail in theory dies leaving you with hardly any wounds, and I think it is less painful, mine never flinch.  Are you a member of the council of docked breeds?  if not I would become one they are very helpful and if any probs they are the people to speak to :) 

Thank you for your quick reply, I'm not a member but on your advice i will definitely look into becoming one. How old are your pups when banded, I know for cutting it has to be done within 72hrs is it the same timeline.
Thank you again

I would say within 48 hours, normally the day after they are born to allow mum to settle a bit and then get them banded - I never find tails mind, gobbled up :)  Never had any problems with banding and they make no noise or fidget when having it done :)

I have had both methods done and found them equally successfull although with the banding you perhaps don't have to be as wary of mum mithering the ends.  Neither method hurts in my experience.  Human babies take 9 months to create pups are born after just 9 weeks gestation.  Incredible when you think about it :) but they are not finished off like the human baby is nature has them out of the womb as early as she can so mum can get on with hunting and protecting herself they come as soon as they have a nervous system ready to locate the mother by heat.  The cannot see or hear as they don't need either at this stage and as they don't need to move their tails yet to communicate to each other the spinal cord does not have to be complete into the tail, the further point from the brain where the generation of the cord starts and that takes another 5 days, no nerves no pain.

Mine have always been cut, the vets that have done it have never offered any other way.  My last litters were great, dry straight away, mother didn't bother and you actually can't tell already at 2 weeks which were docked and which were natural bobtails.