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Post by ailsa on Aug 28, 2012 8:47:03 GMT -5
Archie's claws are too long, and cutting them is something I'd like to be able to do myself, rather than go through the hassle of taking him to a dog groomer or the vet. There are a few problems, however: 1. He hates it. 2. His claws are black, so I can't see the quick. 3. They are HUGE - like flippin' tree trunks. So I need clippers that are going to get the end of the nail off quickly, and in one fell swoop - and that aren't going to blunt after a few attempts. Can anyone a) recommend some good, reliable clippers, and b) tell me how I should go about it? (A muzzle is a must, I fear...) Thank you.  |
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Post by Nettie on Aug 28, 2012 9:45:09 GMT -5
You could try teaching him to accept nail trimming using clicker training, worked with Bertie. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuXwKqXTBsEIndy had tree trunk nails but was perfectly happy for me to grind them with a dremel provided a treat followed each nail being done. |
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Post by emmajane on Aug 28, 2012 11:08:38 GMT -5
The link that Nettie has posted is pretty much the way I teach it. But for a dog that has had his nails trimmed before and built up a bad association with the trimmers I would go from just handling the feet to touching them with other random objects (ie pens, tv remote etc etc) before you move onto the trimmers. I also mix it up a lot more, for example I would reward for touching the nail with the trimmer and then revert back to just touching the feet and rewarding for a few goes before I move onto clipping one nail jackpot reward and then back to just touching the feet or tapping the nail with the clippers for a few. Don't try to do too much at once and undo the work you've put in - if you have to clip a teeny sliver off one nail a day for a few days then do that before trying for more - black nails are the worst, little and often is the way forward I think. Always always make it fun and a game - if mine pul their feet away I might tell them "Uh Oh.... your turn is finished" and call one of the other dogs over for their turn. Invariably I have a line of dogs all desperate for their turn at the nail-bar Don't feel you have to go from not being able to touch his feet to cutting them in one session, its much better to do lots of short sessions, for example if you ware watching tv do a session when the adverts come on - ensures you keep the training sessions short enough and gives the dog enough down-time to process what he has learnt before you have another go. |
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Post by ailsa on Aug 28, 2012 11:37:36 GMT -5
That's very helpful - thanks Nettie and Emma.
Any recommendations for actual clippers? (I don't think Archie would think highly of a dremel, sadly...) I don't mind spending a bit if it means getting it right first time, rather than hacking away at them.
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Post by Nettie on Aug 28, 2012 11:42:24 GMT -5
I think the guillotine clippers are probably better and am about to replace our pair which have a scissor action.
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Post by emmajane on Aug 28, 2012 11:51:07 GMT -5
I have guillotine and scissor ones and find that the scissor ones are much better for trimming the nails (nipping off sharp edges or ripped nails) and generally being more accurate, but the guillotine ones (when the blade is sharp) cuts easier, so it depends on which way you want to go. I suppose much will depend on how what position you would prefer your dog to be in as to which type you would find easier - other than that the best quality ones you can afford |
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Post by jenjanjo on Aug 28, 2012 12:03:10 GMT -5
On the subject of claws....our 2 have exactly the same walks, so why are lurcher claws all perfect length but greyhound claws look like talons?
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Post by elmuervo on Aug 28, 2012 12:43:28 GMT -5
On the subject of claws....our 2 have exactly the same walks, so why are lurcher claws all perfect length but greyhound claws look like talons? They probably grow faster, Hun: We have the same issue with Ellie (perfect little feeties), wheras the hounds could be aptly nicknamed the Kruger triplets! ;D ;D ;D Jo x |
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Post by Rachel and Daisy on Aug 28, 2012 13:36:06 GMT -5
Hi Ailsa
I agree with everything said so far and just to add a little on the subject of difficult to see the quicks - if you flex your dog's front paws underneath them (and the back paws just back behind them in line with their body) so you can see the underneath of the nails, you should be able to see the dead material much more easily and if you clip this way around you are much less likely to go into the quick (sorry its a little difficult to explain in writing.
A show judge showed me how recently and its revolutionised how Daisy takes to having them done. I also place her on a non slip mat on the table (but she is tiny so this is easy). Your best bet is to start removing really tiny amounts to build both your and your dog's confidence, but do it more frequently (obviously after conditioning to be happy with the clippers as others have said).
Ok, hope that makes sense!
Good luck with it
Rachel
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Post by ragsysmum on Aug 29, 2012 3:02:02 GMT -5
Have you tried using a sanding block (sandpaper wrapped round a block of wood)? If you get him used to you playing with his feet when he is lying down, it is easy to 'stroke' the nail end with a small block and take a bit at a time off that way. As there is no noise as with a dremel, I have found all my adoptees or fosters who do not like normal claw clipping, quickly get used to 'sanding'. Lots of walking on hard rough surfaces like gritted roads keep all mine well down normally though and mostly only the dewclaws need attention.
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Post by julies on Aug 29, 2012 3:13:27 GMT -5
I find with a Dremel that you can tell when they are pulling away cos it's not pleasant and pulling away cos you're near the quick - with a bit of practice, I like the Dremel I must admit and find it does a better job than the clippers ...I do Lucy's nauils when she's standing up and find she's quieter than if I try when she's lying down .. maybe she remembers it from racing?
J xx
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Post by andywillow on Aug 29, 2012 5:45:07 GMT -5
Funnily enough I bought some clippers yesterday, I've always had my lots done at the vets but Jakes front ones had grown so much I thought I'd give it a go. Did them no problem although he screamed when I did the first front foot but never battered an eyelid at the other one  Managed not to make him bleed so all was well! I won't however be trying to do Joe's, he has his done under anaesthetic ;D |
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Post by ailsa on Aug 29, 2012 6:00:09 GMT -5
Funnily enough I bought some clippers yesterday, I've always had my lots done at the vets but Jakes front ones had grown so much I thought I'd give it a go. Did them no problem although he screamed when I did the first front foot but never battered an eyelid at the other one Managed not to make him bleed so all was well! I won't however be trying to do Joe's, he has his done under anaesthetic ;D Which clippers did you buy, and where from? |
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Post by andywillow on Aug 29, 2012 7:19:54 GMT -5
Funnily enough I bought some clippers yesterday, I've always had my lots done at the vets but Jakes front ones had grown so much I thought I'd give it a go. Did them no problem although he screamed when I did the first front foot but never battered an eyelid at the other one Managed not to make him bleed so all was well! I won't however be trying to do Joe's, he has his done under anaesthetic ;D Which clippers did you buy, and where from? Urm, purple ones from a petshop next to Dobbies that I've never been to before ;D Sorry thats not much help is it! ;D |
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Post by gazer on Aug 29, 2012 8:24:43 GMT -5
I use the secateur type, I find you are less likely to cut off too much. You don't have to pay a fortune for them, Pets at Home do them. As long as when you and the dog are ready to start and you have the nail chosen, just do it quick and cleanly, just taking the tip off to begin with. Good luck, emmajanes advice is excellent to get your dog used to having his pedicure. Jacqui |
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