Nail Clipping - Page 1

I need outsiders point of view, maybe i am missing something or this is too obvious and i am over analyzing it....

I had my 3 year old at the vet and asked them to clip his nails…they done it before (I am sure by someone different) however nails were barely trimmed (not even 1/4 cm), I am talking about just tips, so I figured I would have to re clip them because I can hear them hitting the floor, and looking at my bill they didnt even charge me for it…

Well we got home I had him sit, I picked up his paw and OMG all hell broke loose, he started screaming bloody murder, I didn’t think it was a nail issue at that moment, I had him lie down on a side I inspected his paws (bend them under, pushed on pads, between toes, etc),  legs, back, belly, tail….nothing..all fine, not a whimper just a wagging tail…

before that day, he was the only dog that I cut nails when he is either sits or stands…so I tried clipping while he was down and he was immediately up in a sitting position…so I fold down his paw so I can see inside his nail and he would not have any of it, mouthing my hand, pulling paws away, being very vocal…. Not being sure what was actually wrong I let him out and watched him…no limping, no paw chewing, no nothing… so 2 days later  Sunday same thing…..i was like what? WHAT is going on?????

He was one of the easiest dogs to have his nail clip and now he is impossible…my conclusion something happened at the vet, but I would have expected to see a nail that was clipped too far, blood, something, anything…there is no physical trauma…..do I give him a week and start from scratch like introducing clippers? Or do I just make him suck it up and go about it as if nothing happened and ignore objections?...he is a happy go lucky dog....little too old for fear stage...

could have been, just as an FYI, i went to a dremmel a few years ago and I'd never go back to clipping.  Easier on all of us

I would use muzzle after introduction to rubbing feet, handling nails and paws or massaging feet/paws/nails;  prior to that my boy did not have a muzzle on and decided to snap; got a whippen then I really did have an issue.  Reason for muzzle is so they do not make a mistake to begin with.  And actually for my boy he calms right down as soon as you put his muzzle on, put him on couch and away I go.  I also use dremmel as it is much faster but condition to noise first.  Good luck  Nan

PS:  I just got a two speed dremmel tool from HOme Depot for about $50.00.  Less chance of pinching/bleeding and cutting too short.  Just grind down tips and you are good to go.  N

Some of my dogs do the same thing. I just clip the nails and try not to make a big deal of it. I have a friend whos dog hates her nails trimmed and I was asked by my friend to clip her nails so I got the clippers and she started to throw a fit I calmly laid her on her side and clipped her nails. You IMO have already reinforced that a little fit and you won't trim his nails so now he is going to just have a little fit when you try. I would just get it done and over with. I will usually get on the floor and have the dog lay up against my legs, this doesn't allow the dog to squirm backwards and away from the clipping and then I gently clip the nails as fast as possible. Some trimmers have a quick guard on them and those are the ones I use so in a hurry there is no mistake of cutting into the quick. Just my .02 on how I get it done. I have over the years clipped hundreds and possibly thousands of nails.

Does anyones dogs like to eat the nail trimmings? I have a couple who find it to be a very tasty treat.

I've had 2 adult dogs that suddenly decided they were never going to have their nails cut again. I was living alone so had to tie those dogs to the fence in order to trim their nails. I didn't use a muzzle, but it's a good idea if there is any chance they might nip you.

Agree with the Dremels. I"m still using an electric one, but the next one will be cordless.

If this is does not get resolved I will have to try it.

I did bought PAWS dremel when it came out, what a POS, it stops at the slightest pressure on the nail…

I have a very dominate male who doesn't like getting his nails trimmed and will growl and snap but I just ignore it and clip the nails, once he figures out his nails are getting trimmed no matter what he will usually just comply. I have a female that is very vocal and gets everyone else all riled up and I do her last. To quailify this I am a big dude and can hold them down without putting much stress on them.

Good luck and if you are not using trimmers with a quick guard please consider buying a pair.

Another for grinding instead of clipping. Nothing more pleasant than having a dog just lie down next to you and start to snooze while you're grinding his or her nails.  Agree with the Dremel PAWS version review--just not enough power for my needs, so I just went with a regular cordless Dremel tool.

I can't say that Bev falls asleep while being ground. She doesn't like it and lets me know by trying to pull away. She's worse with the front feet than the rear. She'd never bite me no matter what, has never put her mouth on me even in play, but she doesn't make it easy either.

I have no problem with mine as I have conditioned them since they were babies--as a retired groomer tho I find it is much easier to do a dog on a table whether a grooming table or the top of the dryer with a towel on it. I use the type of nail clippers that are like scissors. But my girlfriend is coming up for the shows next month and staying with me--she is bringing her dremel and is going to teach me how to do it--I think the way the nails look are so cool--soo much better.

GSD Admin--yes they eat nails. I have 4 and do them all in order--easiest to not so easy--so my floor has them all over. They chomp them down--I allow it cause I figure it isn't much different than cow hooves......