Nail Trimming

[SmoothCollieluver]

Anyone have nail trimming issues? My dog is great. I throw i'm up on the table and cut and grind. My inlaws dogs on the other hand we have to medicate. And dh's gmas dog is almost impossible. Just courious how everyone does it.

[Lin0837]

My one dog, the shepard mix (Hailey), sits on the couch with her arm on the armrest of the couch and chews her nails...shes very funny to watch, i am going to have to take a picture and post it, she does a great job, i never have to cut them. I think the concrete takes care of the back feet when i walk her. My other dog Zeus the lab mix, i do his nails...hes not bad, but you would rather be doing something else thats for sure.
Smooth.....what do you use to grind the dogs nails?

[SmoothCollieluver]

Dog nail grinder. but you could probably just use a deremal

[Tamaryth]

So far, Max is IMPOSSIBLE during nail clipping time. DH has to do it as I am too afraid I will hurt him. The entire time Max is biting him and fighting him. I held his leash up to keep his head up but that still didn't work too well. DH's hands looked like he'd been stuck in some thorns. :( Normally, Max doesn't do that kind of thing anymore. I am hoping it gets better as he gets older.

[SmoothCollieluver]

Bite that in the butt now! It only gets worse as they age. You may have to learn how to hold him. Put is neck in the pit of your elbow so that you can brace his head with your arm on both sides. then take your other arm and put it over the top of him and grab his front leg that is close to your body. With pratice and braceing you will be able to control him totally with out anyone getting bite. You really need to work with him to get used to you touching his nails and his feet.

[Tamaryth]

Oh, I am printing that out and giving it the DH today! I don't like even being a part of the nail clipping experience but if we could get him used to it I wouldn't mind at all. Thanks!

[SmoothCollieluver]

no problem. I'm sure some of the groomers/trainers on here could help you more too. I'm just a show dog/ vet tech person lol. I dont train much just deal with others issues lol.

[cec]

My lab has always been fine for nail trimming using clippers. My newer guy (beagle mix)hates it!! He too was mouthing me when I tried to clip nails. So I have been working to desensitize him--daily I make sure to touch his toes, and nails, and have the clippers out where he can see them. Sometimes I just touch the clipper to the toenail without actually clipping them. Most recently I have made a single clip, then given him a highly enticing treat--was able to complete all nails using this approach. I hope to decrease the use of treats as time goes on--but it seems to work for now!

[poketmouse]

Early on, I learned to reserve all nail clipping for after an exceptionally long walk. Geiger and I would go out for a long time, he'd come home and eat, and then when he plopped down next to me for a nap, I'd calmly clip and file his nails. He got so used to it that now he calmly allows me to do it at any time of the day.

[Rottweilerlvr]

Both mine are fine... I use the clippers and have them lay on their side while I'm doing it...

[StarfishSaving]

No problems here. My own dogs and fosters MUST let me do their nails. I don't tolerate them resisting any handling with me or other people.

[Tori's mom]

Everybody here is good for clipping. My big guys lay on their sides and are very good about holding still for clipping. Just curious- do you guys use a guillotine style or plier style clipper, and why? We use the guillotine style but only because that's what I've always used.

[SmoothCollieluver]

I have both but i prefer the gilitine, because I feel that i have more control. I can make the opening smaller to start will so if they push it just doesn't go in. I guess you could do that with the other too but it just works better for me this way.

[Rottweilerlvr]

To be honest, I have no idea what style it is, I bought it at PetsMart... It does the job..

[ClarkFarm]

I use the guillotine style. I just think it is easier.

I have messed with Lucy's toenails so much when she was a wee pup that she just lays there and watches me now, doesn't need held at all.

imo, every dog should be able to handle its nails being clipped. They may not like it but there shouldn't be any aggression.

[StarfishSaving]

I used to use the guillotine style at home until I worked at the vet's office- all they had were pliers. At the grooming shop that's all we use, too. So I'm most comfortable with those. I don't think I have any less control than with anything else and it's easier for me to maneuver them for dogs who are struggling.