Hi there

can anyone offer advice on flippin nail cutting please?

I always trim my puppies nails from day 1 , Id been doing this with no problem till my youngest got to 10mths then she decided she wasnt having them done and that was it!
I have never cut the quick, she has never been hurt, if she was I could understand it.

Unfortunately her nails are now really long, to the point she is scratching us all the time with them and Im worried she is going to poke my older boys eyes out when they are playing, as she has a habit of tapping his head with her foot!

Ive tried everything, just cant do it, shes a big girl and Im not strong enough to hold her down, my other half tries but he is useless to be honest and lets go saying "its mean youre scaring her!"
Ive took her to a groomers and she nearly pulled her leg off and couldnt cut them (groomer was a young girl and didnt seem v experienced) Just wondering how do groomers usually cut the nails of a wriggly dog?

The only way I can now think of is to get about 4 people to pin her down safely while they are done, but this isnt easy is it?

Do you think i should go to another groomers or the vets ?? 

Hi PB,

Since this is now a major battle of wills, perhaps get a professional trim just now and then start working on bringing round her confidence.  I'm afraid you've probably set things back a lot by trying to force the issue so forget heavy handed methods from now on, especially with such a youngster.

Personally I prefer to use a dremmel to buff down the nails as this will not cause the quick to bleed and leaves a smooth edge which wont catch.  Of course handy as the device is it also makes a noise but I've successfully managed to win round two dogs which would do a disappearing act at the sight of clippers so not impossible :) 

However, initially I'd recommend you try a coarse file as neither the sight of clippers nor the sound of a new device is likely to win her round.  Go slowly, gradually and without putting ANY pressure on her - a brief wipe across the nail (even just one!) with the file and then treat and reward.  Build up a little at a time - if she begins to panic leave it for another day.

TBH lots of road work or running loose on gravel, course sand, shingle etc will keep nails naturally short and feet tight - perhaps look into alternative areas / surfaces for exercise and the problem will not return anway!

HTH, Teri

I dont cut nails once they get to about 8 weeks, just buy some sandpaper and sand them down every now and them... problem solved..

if you've got a riggely or stubborn one it will be a bit tough i imagine.. just try and make the experience as positive as possible

Just to add to Teri's great advice, if she really isn't keen on her feet being touched full stop, then start by getting her used to that again - touch her paw - give a treat, when she is relaxed about that then gently hold her paw gently & give a treat, when she's relaxed with that increase the time you keep hold of her paw (don't forget treats), then get her used to more pressure as you hold her paw (as you need a firm, confidant hold when you build up to cutting the nails). Then you can start to introduce the clippers/file.

With LOADS of patience, persevearence and always trying to end each session on a positive (before she gets stressed) you'll get there.
My pup was a nightmare to get used to the nail clippers - he hated them and would try to grab them off me, what also helped with him was a 'wait' command - I would put a treat in front of him and he had to wait until I touched/held a paw or clipped a nail before he got the treat. Now he loves having his nails clipped and as I've always tried to make it relaxing for him (talking in a soft, relaxing voice), he'll often go to sleep while I cut them with his paw is in my lap - bless him, the big pampered baby LOL!.

ETA, I would always only try the nail-cutting 'training' when Buster was calm already not quite ready for a sleep but while he was 'chilling out'.

Hi there

Her nails are past sandpaper stage now Im afraid, they are really long and thick!

She isnt at all bothered about me touching her feet (which is odd) she lets me pinch her nails with my fingers no problem, I get the nail clippers, she knows what they are and watches like a hawk, its as though shes saying no way will you do it mum!
She either tries to grab them and runs off or if I start trying to cut she legs it! 

My dogs have lots of exercise including at least 35mins per day just road walking , my other dogs nails are short and I have never had to cut them, so just shows you they are all different.

Im getting really worked up about this issue now they really need doing

Have you tried getting him used to a Dremel? I find my dogs are much happier with that (having taken several days to gently accustom them to the noise and vibration) than they ever were with clippers.

Teri or Jeangenie - when you get a minute can you post a link to the exact Dremel thing you are talking about please ?

I like the idea of a smooth edge but my youngsters nails grow really quickly so I do have to trim quite often.  How regularly do you do yours?

Thanks

There are several variations on the theme of a dremel, but they're all pretty much of a muchness. Some are cordless (convenient and mobile, but need charging), others plug into the mains, so you have to get the dog to the tool, but the power's constant. Make sure you use the small sandpaper 'drum' rather than one of the stone attachments (they overheat the nail).

This is a great site for a demonstration.

I do my dogs' nails every fortnight or so, so that I don't need to do too much in one go.

I cut nails in the evening when they are half asleep I creep up and pick up the foot and nip off the end of the nail ....they lift thier heads to see what I am doing but because it doesnt hurt they dont bother.
I think if I got them up on the grooming table and made a point of it then it would be a struggle.

I nip of the end of puppies with my own nail clippers in a similar fashion.

I see JG has pointed you to a great site for using them :)  You can get them most DIY stores, Argos and very probably on eBay too.  I prefer the cordless ones, but it's personal opinion.

For overgrown nails I would do them every third day until down to a manageable length.  Use little and often and the quick will recede each time allowing you to take off more in a fairly short period. 

Unless able to keep nails worn down through exercise then 2-3 weeks during winter should be fine, perhaps needed 7-10 days during summer when nails grow a little faster (just like our own :) )

HTH, Teri

Thank JG for site - I'll have a look tomorrow

Sorry to hijack OP thread but I didn't realise nail growth was seasonal!!  I love CD, one learns sooo much on here :)

My youngster is pretty easy to clip, although he's not exactly enthusiastic, he does it because I ask him and because it's not really an option to pull away BUT even now I'm not that keen and do worry about getting it wrong.  My nail clippers are huge like garden secateurs and I do feel I can't see what I'm doing very well.  I like the idea of a safer alternative. 

I find that the front nails grow faster; is that true or in my imagination? OR is it that the back ones are more likely to be worn down by exercise?  The majority of our walks are fields and footpaths and only short stretches of road.  The beach seems our best place for wearing nails down - we have a concrete sea wall and abrasive sand so a few days before a show I clip his nails then do a beach walk to smooth them off ready for the ring.  I must say a Dremel sounds like an easier option although my current regime is much for fun for the dog!! :)

I also find the rear ones to wear down better than the front so they only need doing about one in three times :)

Keep it fun for the dog - better to wear them down than trim them down if possible but it's certainly useful to have the best tools when soggy ground, wet sand etc are the only available options other than pounding the pavements!  Still gets our dogs out and about of course :)

have you tried putting the dog in the bath and doing it? My chi has to be in the sink to do his, I do one nail a day as he hates it. plus If I am worked up and stressed trying to to them all he feels my stress and it scares him and he's more likely to refuse. so try putting him in the bath and doing one nail and then give him a treat. do one a day , this will get you less stressed knowing you only have to do the one.

Hi
I use a dremel and they won around my boy who had been quicked unintentionally due to having thick black nails.  Have you checked that your nail clippers are really sharp and up to the job?  Some just seem to squeeze the nail which I think a lot of dogs object to.

I find with a lot of my clients that the front nails are longer than the back - no idea why. :-) A groomer should be able to get the nails done - not sure what breed you have, but I do breeds up to about Springer size and with a lead and bellyband on, muzzle if necessary, there really isn't much they can do about it when I want to do the nails. I am of course gentle and give lots of praise! I did once do a huge Lab at her owners house who needed 2 people to lie on her as she just wanted to roll around and play! But you might try getting a groomer to get the backlog under control, then go with the advice of getting her used to the whole business again.