How to Cut your Dog's Nails

S

steve reyes

Forums Novice
When we got our dog, the previous owner let us know that he does not do well at a groomer, vet...
Therefore he has never had his nails cut. I decided to take him into a pet place just to see what it would cost. The lady offered to do it for free. He would not let her anywhere near him, growling and snapping. after a while she was able to pet him but that was all.
I decided not to add anymore stress then what he was under so we left.
Now the previous owner did have a vet clinic that are familiar with him but it is a far drive for a nail trim. She has said he got so nervous once he popped a blood vessel in his eye.
I want to try to take him in and get him muzzled first but I dont want to add that stress to him. I have heard about getting them something to knock them out first but the point is no one can touch him other then me or my boyfriend.

I wont cut his nails cuz I am to afraid. any suggestions?
 
The first time I happened to cut a few of these tiny nails so they bled, so when I had to cut them next time, I really was sweating, and again began a nail to bleed.

So either -for the future- I had go to a vet or buy a grinder.

- now -as we all know- a Sheltie are pretty sensitive, so I spent half a day and many treats to make her comfortable with a grinder and this grinder was a success for both of us :yes:- it still costs a lot of loving words and some treats

(Just to say that I have always cut all my previous dogs' nails)
 
I haven't cut Dickens's nails since last year when I placed concrete pavers all along the path where he likes to run when chasing off cars, kids on bikes and pedestrians.
There's nothing left to cut!
 
Do you have a vet for your dog? This is the most responsible place to take him for a nail trim if he objects to having it done. Your vet and vet techs are best equipped to help you.

Once your vet has conditioned the dog to nail trims, I'd recommend a dremmel (grinder) to avoid cutting the nails too short. But this requires a very gradual training and desensitization process so before you try it, you should work with your vet to get the the dog accustomed to having it done. You don't say how old he is...if he's never had his nails trimmed, it can affect his feet, joints and growth if he's a puppy.
 
I'd just add, get your dog used to having it's feet handled; whether you cut the nails or get someone else. Several times a day you can touch his feet and then treat. Start by just touching and slowly work up to rubbing and fiddling around with the toes - and work up very slowly, you want to stop before he gets stressed. It may take months, but you want to give him the idea that having his feet touched is a good thing. He will never enjoy having his nails trimmed, but at least you want him to think of it as a minor irritant rather than the scariest thing in the world.
 
I'd take him to the vet for this initially. In fact I'd make the trip to his old vet for the 1st time just because he's been there and is less terrified of them then of a new vet. Then work on desensitizing him as others have suggested, gently touching then work up to manipulating his paws and pads then his nails without any trimming or clippers nearby, with some high value tidbits treats and soft talking, etc. If he snuggles with you, that's the time to gently and lovingly start touching his feet.

Poor guy, some of them really do work themselves into a lather over nail trims.

Over time a dremmel would be great but I think that's a far in the future thing, he needs to be desensitized to the paw touching first. You could also try giving him an herbal calming supplement like Bach Rescue Remedy 30 minutes before you try to touch him, or put a thunder coat on him. They won't stop his anxiety completely but can help him be in a calmer state when you start. Ask your vet about sedatives, when we travel we give our carsick male an Rx sedative or Dramamine and he is pretty relaxed for a few hours. But that's a temporary thing, best to get him used to it so you can groom him etc without him going crazy, it's really hard on them to get that worked up and Shelties memories are like elephants as far as trauma goes.
 
That is so funny, I mean about how they are with their feet.

Mine always pulled his feet away as a puppy, however I agree that continuing to do it, desensitizing them, does work.

BIL just did their dogs probably for the first time.
I think he said he talked to his sister a vet tech, and they do something like this:

1. Manuever a dog into a corner or have someone else hold the dog
2. Lift and bend the leg you are cutting, and pull it in tight to the dogs body
3. Bend the paw down and slightly back, and clip

We're not sure if the dog is distracted by 1/2 people holding him, or if its because the clipping takes place outside of its line of site.

My understanding is that the nail quick will grow further and further out the nail if they are not constantly grinding them down outdoors, or primarily an indoor dog not getting regular trims.
 
A couple of suggestions....

Before you bring the dog to the groomer for the actual clip, start to desensitive your dog. This means at random times throughout the day, and with extra high reward treas (e.g. small bits of hot dogs are awesome), start to the handle the paws. Start with just holding the paw. If the dog accepts that, big praise and treat. Then progress to pressing lighting on each claw. Everytime the dog accepts it, treat. If not, move on to the next (in my experience....my dogs have certain claws that make them antsy....normally because I hit a quick sometime). Then go back to the claw he was not happy about. Maybe this time, he will be ok with the pressure, knowing he will get a treat. Then introduce the nail clipper. Apply pressure to the nail as before, and just touch the nail with the clipper. Treat. If he does not flinch, try to clip just a single bit off the top. You are not going for a full trim here. Just letting him know that its ok. Treat. Work gradually over a few days, and I guarantee that after a week or so, you dogs nails will be trimmed down without little fuss. Sometine during this period, you can try again with the groomer. Probably once you have managed to get your dog to handle just getting his paws handled. Personally, I rarely clip my dogs nails myself. Too many black nails, but I'm blessed that I own a pet store and can bring in my dogs anytime. But even, then, I still regularly handle my dogs paws...
 
You can do all the desensitizing and stuff at home, but as a sometimes groomer I find it simple to muzzle the dog (I just use vet wrap), stand it up and trim nails. I only have one dog (my mother's dog!) that takes someone else to hold it. They know if you are afraid or anxious and that makes it waaaay worse. I find that after a couple of times of not dying after having nails done, they settle down.

I am afraid of dremels :) Dremels+Hair=Disaster!!

Sedatives reduce bite inhibition and since being bitten is something you are trying to avoid, I'd avoid sedation.
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
I am afraid of dremels :) Dremels+Hair=Disaster!!
Click to expand...
yes, definitely !!

Minnie sitting with me, forepaws is no problem, to the rear paws I take a small towel that I keep around the paw while it covers the stomach.

I have used this grinder for more than 2 years, with great success
 
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