I am blest with the absolute funniest, silkiest, most loyal and lovable dog in the world. But she’s shy. She loves people but let’s face it: she’s shy.
She doesn’t mind going to the vet; she happily licks the vet’s face, doesn’t even twitch over shots—but she’s scared witless getting her toenails clipped. From a calm, happy dog she turns into a quivering, traumatized wreck.
So my question is, do any of you clip your dog’s nails? Is it hard? Any tips?
I do the rest of her grooming, i.e. baths, lots of brushing, brushing her teeth, etc. so she’s very used to me handling her, and enjoys it. Maybe she wouldn’t be so terribly frightenend if I clipped her nails. Any ideas of advice?
Thanks much.
Veb
(I think this belongs in MPSIMS instead of GQ, since it’s more opinion, advice, etc. rather than hard info. If it’s misplaced, my apologies to the mods.)
I dont have a dog Veb, but a friend of mine has these great little clippers that he bought at a pet store and his dog loves it. They don’t hurt and she jumps into his lap when she sees him pulling them out. Check with your pet store, they would be able to show you the different kinds of clippers.
He also gives her a treat afterwards and tells her what a good puppy she is.
We are, each of us angels with only one wing,and we can only fly by embracing one another
Our dog is terrified of anything to do with grooming (she’s even scared of water). My advice would be to do what we do: take her to a professional groomer. If the nails get clipped too short, it could really hurt her, and I’m sure you don’t want to take that chance. At least the first few times, I would ask a professional to either do it, or show you the proper method. Just my opinion.
First of all, it depends what kind of clippers you have. The one’s that look like pliers/wire-cutters are best. (they are more expensive than the other kind)
Second, get your dog used to the sensation. For a few days, hold her paws and tap the claws with the clippers. Give her lots of praise and treats.
Third, get someone to help you hold her steady.
Fourth, don’t clip off too much. You can always do more later.
If all else fails, groomers are usually willing to do it for cheap. Call around.
Try a fingernail file. Our dogs are farm dogs so they don’t get groomed unless an emergency. My kids are/were in 4H and their rabbits get groomed usually with a dog clipper and then with a nail file. The judge appreciates the groomed nails.
Sort of off the track but anyone out there ever washed a chicken?
NO NO Michael not that.
I have a Corgi who’s an absolute stinker about having her toenails clipped. It’s the only maintenance thing she loathes, including shots.
Not even the vet with three vet assistants can get her done. She doesn’t bite, but squirms and wiggles so hard, one simply can’t safely clip her nails. She is a very sweet dog, but for some reason she just can’t stand having her nails clipped.
So…after reading about it in a dog show book, I bought a Dremel hobby sort of thing that is something like an electric drill on which you can put all kinds of attachments, including a grinding stone. I think it was around $30. She is not crazy about this, but she tolerates it very well. I hold the grinder against one nail for a few seconds (it gets very hot to the nail if you do it longer), then go round to the other nails and then repeat until her nails are short enough.
You are also much less likely to “quick” the dog by accident with these and you can get closer to the quick without hurting them.
A friend of mine has been a breeder/groomer/shower of dogs since she was a kid and has done all kinds, including show chickens (and rabbits and cattle and reptiles…).
Veb, you might want to try beating the dog with a stick before you clip the nails next time. I find that this greatly reduces the trauma of the actual grooming. After a few hundred beatings, you just show the dog the stick, on one side, and the clippers, on the other. The dog will always pick the clippers. When I say “stick”, though, don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about a twig. Use something at least 2 X 4 size to really get the fear of God into the animal. Just my $0.02…
“So, for once in my life, let me get what I want.
Lord knows, it would be the first time.”
Why, thank you, Demo and BigDaddy, I certainly have taken your advice to heart.
WHACK! CRACK! {smacking the snot outta Demo and BigDaddy) KA-POW!
You’re perfectly right. You both look much chastened and cowed now.
Veb
P.S. from my dog: she wouldn’t deign to sniff your crotches if you rubbed them with liverwurst. Oh, and the next time you go the the vet…er, doctor…she sincerely hopes you get the Flying Latex Glove of Personal Humiliation. Grrrrrr.
We have learned lots of good stuff by having the kids in 4H. Grooming a chicken is only one of the more important ones that they will always remember.
Really though,the fingernail thing works. if the dog knows how to shake then he/she will not mind you holding its paw. Just take the points off 1st. if he will let you hold his paw some more take a little more off etc. Might turn into a one on one meaningful time for you both
Good advice, with some exceptions of course. I am sure that you remember our little Min Pin from your visit to our humble pad, Veb. He does not like getting his nails clipped, but he tolerates it a lot more from me than anyone else, I presume thats because I feed him and pet him…etc. so he is familiar with me and has more of a trust in me. I am willing to bet your pooch is the same way, they will be more at ease if someone they know is doing these awful torturous things to them (nail clipping, baths, haircuts) at least to most dogs it seems like torture.
The best advice was already mentioned: Watch & learn how the vet clips and then do it yourself, you could save a few dollars at the same time your dog is more comfortable, and of course give her that treat and praise afterwards… who knows? Enough treats and she might just come running for the next clipping.
“Wow! Spider-Man! Are you really friends with the X-men?” "Not since Cyclops tried to use my viewmaster."
(Marvel Team Up #1)
Almost forgot to mention: Soothing words of comfort will also put your pooch at ease, while they won’t understand what your saying, the reassuring tone of your familiar voice will help out.
