As Tara has lost a toe and the large pad on her foot, she doesn't press down on her toes when she walks on the foot (she still hops a lot, but is walking on it more and more). Because of this, I think that her claws on this foot are going to grow much quicker than normal as they don't really touch the ground. I got the vet to trim her claws last time (only on that foot - I don't mind doing the rest) - but the claws seem to stick up from the toe as well and I am a bit wary of cutting them - I'm a wimp :( Would it be a good idea to try the dremel on this foot ? I think that hubby has one - which attachment do you use ?

Thanks

Daisy

Hi Daisy - I don't know if you know that my Harry has also had a toe amputated (though luckily not the large pad as well). As a result he also puts his weight differently on that foot than the others which affects the growth of his nails. I find a Dremel an absolute godsend because he is still (2 years later) unhappy about having that paw held firmly enough for nail-clipping. But the dremel is much gentler and I don't need to hold his foot so hard. The attachment I use is the one with the small sanding-tube things.

Hope this helps.
:)

JG - thanks very much :)  I was also worried about gripping her foot too hard. You understand the problem exactly :)

I'll give the dremel a try then :)

Daisy

Get her used to the idea by first touching her toes with the dremel not switched on. When she's happy with that switch it on but don't touch her with it - just get her happy with the noise. Then you can give her titbits when it is going near her feet. Before long (it only took me 2 short sessions) you should be able to pick up a foot (not the most sensitive) and just touch the running dremel to a nail, then let go again. Lots of praise and they become accepting of it - and it's much easier than clipping.
:)

Excellent :) Thank you :) Now all I have to do is to find hubby's dremel in the garage - otherwise I'll have to wait until he gets back from Israel. Some of her claws are white which makes trimming easier, but of course, all on this foot are black - typical :) If this works well, I might try it on Bramble as well.

Thanks

Daisy

  dremmels are one of my "must haves"   

This is an excellent guide on how to Dremel a dog's nails:

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merenski/doberdawn/index.html

Thanks for the site ref: :) Do people really keep their dogs' claws that short Are they of any use to the dog that short ?

Daisy

I can't get my lot's nails that short (though I've noticed our local foxhound pack have nails even shorter, and I know they aren't clipped!). For me, the sign they need attention is when I can hear them clattering on the tiled kitchen floor. If I can't hear them, they're okay.
:)

I don't look at many dogs feet, so I haven't really noticed the length of the nail. I had been told, like you JG, that if you can hear them on the floor, then they are too long - so I aim to keep them above the bottom of the pad :)

Daisy