Clipping claws

[chatter]

I would never of attempted to do chatters nails, it was a two person job at the vets, trying to keep her in one place and still while the vet nurse clipped the nail, and always ended up with one or two bleeding. Have recently tried a different vets and was most impressed, the vet nurse has had lurchers for some years, as soon as we walked in she went and got a furry cover which she put on the examination table, we then lifted chatter up and lay her on her side stroked her head and voila she lay there good as gold having her nails trimmed with not so much as a murmur, did the same with fleck who only needed his front ones trimmed. None of the usual stress that was related to nail trimming. The nurse said that she found they seem to relax once on their sides on a nice soft surface just as if they are at home therefore making nail clipping an easy task and pleasant task for them

[tinar]

Don't ask me how..I have no clue.

I phoned the local mobile dog groomer, he turned up- clippers in hand - came into the lounge the two dogs stood still...albeit looking uncomfortable.

He clipped them, Dood had a little whimper at one of the claws but here was nothing - no blood no issues.

Then - 10 minutes later -all done - groomer only charged a fiver for them both - RESULT...

The only thing I did was put their harnesses on - as I find it calms them.

I am so lucky Good dogs

[ritab]

I thought my nervous grey would take time to get used to a dremel but ordered a special pet one from Amazon.com which works ar a slow speed. It is quiet, and I bought some fine sanding bands which take off the smallest amount. I was filing them manually before as I was nervous with the clippers and she sensed it. Anyway I give her a treat for each paw, not each claw, she lies on her side and from day one didn't resist.

If you do get the USA version you have to buy a transformer as well as they are lower voltage than UK ones.

The RGT women suggested I didn't do it myself if I wasn't confident, so Now I am and Gizzi is comfortable with high speed filing. The Pet Dremel is fairly quiet by the way.

[tewit]

A tip a trainer showed me is to get a strong helper to lift your dog (with arms round front and back pairs of legs - make sure the helper holds around lower chest and doesn't obstruct throat!) and clip whilst lifted. Works with both of mine but you do need someone strong enough to lift long enough to allow you to do the job. We usually do several short lifts and do a foot at a time. Grasp around foot and hold each claw firmly between your fingers as you clip with the other hand so that you don't twist the claw. Try not to feel nervous as they know straight away!!! Good luck!!

[Flaperoo]

Although none of my dogs have enjoyed having their nails cut, Roo is the only one that would bite me rather than have them cut

Over two years he has had two nail bed infections that have required vet treatment. On my last visit our vet suggested raising him off the floor either on a non slip table or Jeremy carrying him ;D, make sure there is good light so you don't cut into them; he still hates it but he is disoriented enough to allow me to do it. We do it (the lifting onto a table, getting the clippers out and just shaving off little bits at the end) every week even if he doesn't need it just to get him used to it. He has not had a nail bed infection since

Maryx

[tewit]

Taking a tip off every week or so is the best solution as this stops the quick extending along the claw. Of course it depends how quickly they grow or how much exercise they do on hard surfaces.
The front feet seem to need more attention than the back.