need help

[daisybee]

Does anybody have a surefire way to cut dogs nails? I Just tried to cut my 6 month old puppy's nails and managed to get three cut before I had to stop, he was getting too upset, as was I. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I'd say he was a bit young for that

[JenBKR]

The only surefire way I can think of would be to have a groomer do it

[Vela]

He's not too young, I cut my 15 week old's nails all the time. Start by desensitizing him to it by playing with his toes and feet all the time, gently pinch his toenails with your fingers to get him used to it. Keep plenty of treats handy. Mine don't love it, but they tolerate it. You CAN have a groomer do it, but you really need to start now and work with his feet, mouth, ears, etc. So that he more readily accepts those things if he needs procedures etc. done in the future by vets or groomers. Not working with them and then expecting a groomer to have an easier time, won't really help. The dog will be MORE stressed at a groomer and having someone strange touch his feet. Just work with him with that and start slowly. Do one, give a treat, do another, give treat, etc. Do a nail a day if you have to until he more readily accepts it, with lots of treats and praise.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

He's not too young, I cut my 15 week old's nails all the time.

How often do they need doing? I have never cut my dogs nails, do they wear down naturally?

[Aspen and Misty]

How often do they need doing? I have never cut my dogs nails, do they wear down naturally?

When your dog walks on a hard surface there should be no noise. So if you hear the click click of there nails then the nails are too long. You may not be able to get the nails to a proper length at first only because if you don't take care of a dog's nails like you should then there quick (the part that bleeds if you cut to short) grows too long for the nails to be cut to a proper length. I have heard that if you start takeing proper care of the nails the quick will recede and the dog's nails will gradually get shorter. Long nails can also lead to many health problems such a early hip dysplasia because the dog has to walk improperly in order to adjust to the longer length of the nails.

I cut my dog's nails every 4 weeks and they stay at a healthy length. However I have heard that if the quick is long you should trim your dog's nails every 2 weeks. I was told this will make the quick draw back and the nails to go back to a normal length. (I have never tested this theory though, however everyone says it works)

I would have your dog's nails looked at by a vet, it is rare for dog's to be able to keep the nails naturally worn down to a length that doesn't cause them issues or discomfort.

Ashley

[crow_noir]

ditto

He's not too young, I cut my 15 week old's nails all the time. Start by desensitizing him to it by playing with his toes and feet all the time, gently pinch his toenails with your fingers to get him used to it. Keep plenty of treats handy. Mine don't love it, but they tolerate it. You CAN have a groomer do it, but you really need to start now and work with his feet, mouth, ears, etc. So that he more readily accepts those things if he needs procedures etc. done in the future by vets or groomers. Not working with them and then expecting a groomer to have an easier time, won't really help. The dog will be MORE stressed at a groomer and having someone strange touch his feet. Just work with him with that and start slowly. Do one, give a treat, do another, give treat, etc. Do a nail a day if you have to until he more readily accepts it, with lots of treats and praise.

[Giselle]

While you're at it, try a Dremel or a similar nail grinder. I can tell you - I've had to cut many dogs' nails with the clipper and I hated all of them. I hated the scissors type and I despised the guillotine type. They both made me stress because I was so terrified of quicking the dog (which I did a few times).

With the Dremel, I can grind a little bit every day which makes it easier for the dog and me. Plus, I've never quicked a dog with a grinder and I don't think I've heard of anybody doing so. I'm sure it's possible, but it's more difficult and I hear the heat cauterizes whatever bleeding may occur. That said, the noise is something you need to desensitize your dog to so, in essence, it's more work in the beginning. But the end result is a very short, rounded nail you simply can't get with a clipper.
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merens...el/dremel.html

[Taz_Zoee]

Hmmm, Zoee just went to the groomers last week. And as I'm reading this thread I can hear her nails clicking on the floor as she walks down the hall. It sounds like it's only one foot though. I guess I'd better get some good sharp clippers. I think all the ones we have around here are old and dull.
Thanks for the tips, and for starting this thread.