Dew claws

[FayRose]

Having just seen @Naya 's post about Harley's cut paw, I'm just wondering if anyone has an answer to the dew claw dilemma.

Unfortunately, I didn't persist with the nail cutting challenge a while ago, so am now paying the price for not being able to cut Molly's claws. Just lately I've noticed her dew claws are getting more and more like scimitars and are getting caught in clothes when we play. It's only a matter of time I fear before we have another torn and damaged claw and pad. It has happened before and a right hoo-haa it was too.

I guess it's a trip to the vet but I'm sure lots of you can 'do it yourself' . Any quick remedies or is it back to patience and the nail cutting challenge?

 

[snowbunny]

Dew claws tend to be the easiest in my experience. If it's just those, then I'd try simple distraction to get the job done. Just be careful you only take off a little bit each cut.

 

[HAH]

Dew claws tend to be the easiest in my experience. If it's just those, then I'd try simple distraction to get the job done. Just be careful you only take off a little bit each cut.

Just to echo @snowbunny - for me, this is the easiest way; distract and take off a little at a time. Kipper’s dew claws are impressive and he uses them a lot so I’m always aware of how long they’ve got.

 

[snowbunny]

I'm going to add my previous comments about distraction just to weigh this up: I do not recommend distraction as an ongoing solution, as it can be entirely counterproductive and create more fear and distrust. But for emergency cases, you have to go with the minimally aversive way to get the job done. You should continue with the training without distraction and towards cooperative nail cutting, but since you're not there yet, I'd try distraction, if you think that it's suitable for your dog. For Willow, it is not suitable at all, and it's far kinder for her to be able to watch the procedure with a gentle restraint, which is actually just J sat next to her - he doesn't need to hold on at all, because she knows she has no choice at this time. This isn't necessarily "good", but it's the least aversive way of getting the result I need at the time. You know your dog, so go with something that allows you to get her nails trimmed with the least stress possible.

 

[FayRose]

Thank you both. I don't think it would be much good for Molly to try distraction, if she realised something was being done she would become anxious. After the disaster at the vet when they tried to shave under her ear, I think the method you use for Willow is preferable.

As a matter of interest @HAH , when you say Kipper uses his dew claws, what does he do with them?

 

[Atemas]

Cut Red’s dew claws yesterday - definitely the easiest. F held her ever so gently whilst I did it. She accepted us doing it and she got rewarded when we finished. I have always paid to have her nails cut and generally she has a groom at the same time. Not only is it expensive but I don’t get to see how Red’s reacting. If I do it myself, I do

 

[HAH]

You should continue with the training without distraction and towards cooperative nail cutting, but since you're not there yet, I'd try distraction, if you think that it's suitable for your dog.

exactly this; I’m still making progress with the cooperative care but haven’t quite got to comfortable permissive trimming on all paws so I’m still needing to do ‘management trimming’ every few weeks. It’s not ideal, but I’m keeping it light touch (as well as in a different place etc) and hope not to need this at all soon.

I don't think it would be much good for Molly to try distraction, if she realised something was being done she would become anxious

This is definitely important. Conversely, restraint for Kipper is very aversive so I give him a treat, trim a nail then treat again. I keep it v short and I think it’s the ‘least bad’ option for him at the moment.

As a matter of interest @HAH , when you say Kipper uses his dew claws, what does he do with them?

I find it fascinating - my mum swore blind when we got Kipper that she’d never seen a dog use their dew claws, so I’ve made a bit of a study of it He uses them as stabilisers, so he’ll hold his kong with them, he manipulates our hands using his whole paw so his dew claw helps to flip them and hold them down, and when he climbs and walks along logs he definitely wraps his paw around using his dew claws for stability. It might just be him of course...

 

[snowbunny]

It might just be him of course...

Definitely not, mine use their dew claws a lot. I notice it especially when they're hauling themselves up something - out of the snow, up a steep bank etc.
Here's a great video that shows dogs using their dew claws to get out of icy water:

And another showing its use in running, stopping, and turning:

 

[SwampDonkey]

Mine have always used them like Kipper. They are a useful bit of kit for a Khong eatting dog

 

[Selina27]

It might just be him of course.

Nope, not just him !

Cassie uses hers to hold her kongs and bones when she has them

 

[FayRose]

Thank you very much for the video, I had no idea they used their dew claws so much. Presumably Molly does too, I just hadn't noticed So, it is important I get them clipped a bit, must be difficult to use them so curled round.

 

[Oberon]

Obi uses his to hold stuff while chewing it, and also to stabilise himself while having a good scratch.

 

[M.F.]

Vanessa L Taylor

Post from a vet about how dew claws are essential for stabilization.

 

[Atemas]

Red uses her paws just like hands very skilfully and her dew claws are part of this. It’s fascinating watching her with her toys especially extracting her squeaky ball from hidden places. She uses her dew claws to hold her kong

 

[HAH]

A quick photo of Kipper using his dew claws climbing on a tree trunk this morning