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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Nail Cutting Woes

17 replies

SoLostNeed2BFound · 08/05/2018 20:43

I have a 3 year old Lab who hates having his nails cut. Does anyone have any tips on getting him used to having his nails trimmed. Currently I'm trying to trim one nail at a time when he's fast asleep. Even then, he cocks an eye open and whoosh he scuppers off to another room.
Much appreciated.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 08/05/2018 20:44

I've joined a group called nail maintenance for dogs on FB. They work on conditioning the dogs to be happy having nails clipped, dremelled, filed or use a scratch board.
We're working on it!

BiteyShark · 08/05/2018 20:46

I use one of those nail grinders. Mine hates me doing them but tolerates it just enough to wear them down every now and again.

I also don't trust myself with the clippers as he has black nails

Wolfiefan · 08/05/2018 20:47

We have bloody thick black nails. I'm working the alternate cut line and desensitising her to a dremel.

SilverHairedCat · 08/05/2018 20:49

The vet nurse here offers free clinics every month for this. We book the dog in for a mani/pedi (as I call it) every now and again. Or run her on the beach for an afternoon!

Original poster

SoLostNeed2BFound · 08/05/2018 21:06

I don't he'd take to the use of a dremel. He'd probably freak out completely and get the zoomies.

He has both brown and black nails which makes cutting even more tricky.

I might check if my local vet runs one of these free clinic sessions.

OP posts:

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 08/05/2018 23:40

We do so much walking on tarmac that PestDog's nails are naturally trimmed. I don't go out of my way to do it but it's a 5 min street walk to get to the local park, or 20 mins each way to the extra large park.

Depending on your current arrangements could you stop driving to the park (if you currently do) and start walking there along the streets instead?

Goldmonday · 08/05/2018 23:43

I can't even touch my dog with the clippers without her crying or jolting it is a nightmare. I can't hold her still it is a two person job, and she's only a pug :/

Wolfiefan · 08/05/2018 23:47

Have a look at the FB group. Don't put your dog in a position where they have to be restrained. It just makes them more certain that the scary thing is scary.

BiteyShark · 09/05/2018 07:18

I find it better if I give him something like a deers antler to chew whilst I am doing it. He's takes his frustration out on that instead of me

Snappymcsnappy · 09/05/2018 09:22

I can't cut my dogs nails with clippers either.
She has white and black nails, I have quicked her quite a few times.

I would try and get your dog used to a nail grinder, I am going to get one for my dog as her nails are longer than I would like, not excessively long though

The cheap black pound land nail files for people are quite good although it does take an age, I don't have the patience to do all her claws with it but I have had great results doing her dewclaws which were very very long.
I'll try and post a picture of them now.
The file has made them lovely and smooth, no jagged frayed edges like the clippers used to leave

Snappymcsnappy · 09/05/2018 09:32

Super short and smooth

pigsDOfly · 09/05/2018 12:56

I've never attempted to cut my dog's nails I'd be too scared I'd cut too low - I used to cut our guinea pigs' nails and made one bleed once.

I have however, made sure she's okay with having her paws handled by handling them regularly since she was tiny. But having said that if she's lying down she still doesn't like her paws being touch so trying to do it while she was sleeping wouldn't work for her.

Her nails rarely need doing as she walks in the street a lot so they get worn done. However, I still have to get her dew claw done from time to time and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't take kindly to having them filed so for that she goes to the groomer.

Beaverhausen · 09/05/2018 13:00

My dog is the same so I 30th and catch him off guard while he eats
I manage a nail or two at a time lol

CMOTDibbler · 09/05/2018 13:11

One of mine has issues about his nails (he had his dew claws cut off badly with a penknife in his former life) and we have tried everything with him to persuade him that its OK. No amount of desensitisation has ever made a difference, and he hated the vet or groomer doing it, refused to entertain a dremel.

We now just put his muzzle on and do them quickly and efficiently with someone holding him. He's less distressed after, and doing them once a month means we just need to nip the ends off

Snappymcsnappy · 09/05/2018 13:23

pigsdofly regarding dewclaws, it depends on how active doggy is, but if they are active you definitely need them super super short.

My dog used to break and split them regularly despite me trimming as short as I could to not quick her.
Now that they are stubs she never injures them.

I taught her to tolerate it by swiping one with the file then treat and increase the number of swipes before a treat

pigsDOfly · 09/05/2018 15:13

She doesn't catch them Snappy but they just seem to grow really quickly. I was quite ashamed at how long they were last time I got them cut, not digging in her long, but longer than I like.

I'm going to try a file, but I can't see her letting me tbh. She lets me clip the fur on her paws and that's very hit and miss.

Original poster

SoLostNeed2BFound · 09/05/2018 18:46

Many thanks all for your input and experiences. I'll be sure to checkout the FB page Wolfiefan. I'll try and post a picture of his nails. I'm trying to get him used to me touching his nails with the clippers and then giving him small pieces of his favourite treat: a chicken cookie! I did manage to shave off a very small piece of a nail. I was overly ambitious and tried to clip another nail and spectacularly failed - he yelped. I promptly gave him a few treats and took him out for a long walk. Tomorrow be'th another day...!

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