Nail trimming

[Karen]

A friend came around to visit today and Cassie jumped up mercilessly scratching him badly on his arm in the process. So we are embarking on a no-jumping training strategy urgently. I also need to cut her claws - has anyone tried and been successful with a slow c&t desensitisation protocol to train claw cutting? I would prefer to try to gain her agreement to each claw being cut if possible but would be grateful for your thoughts. A gratuitous picture is attached - the mauled friend took it (he has kindly and bravely agreed to return for a no-jump training session).

 

[Jacqui-S]

I have rarely had to cut nails, and not for a puppy. Which is a little surprise as Lilly didn't walk so frequently on pavements which can often keep them down.
How is she just with you touching her paws?
I know that doing it step by step is the way to go. Some puppies and dogs hate clippers and are better with a "dremmel" sanding approach.
That ends the sum total of my nail clipping knowledge.
Oh, and when they bleed its a bloodbath. Arrowroot, maybe cornstarch, or a stypic pencil are good to have in the house.
Its supposed to be easier with pale names rather than dark. Its little snips at a time, and maybe one or two at each session.

 

[Karen]

I just found an old thread re nail trimming. Will try a dremel (OH has one). Might need to just cut them first though!

 

[edzbird]

I'm afraid I ran out of patience trying to desensitise my 2 (they were grown dogs, not pups), at the end of the day, their nails needed trimming. For me, it's been about finding the easiest approach and place to trim (I use clippers). We've settled on sitting in the back of the car boot, and I shuffle along side them.

Yes, the blood! I snipped the quick on Meg last time - a couple of weeks ago. It took over an hour to stop bleeding, even with styptic powder. It's not a chore I enjoy.

At least Cassie has light nails, you can see where the quick is, if she's not fidgeting. I think you're taking a very sensible approach and starting young is perfect.

 

[HAH]

One thing I’ve learned is that it’s not like our experience of nail cutting, where we don’t really feel the nail being trimmed. They feel the pressure through their toes, so tiny slivers are best through multiple sessions, rather then trying to just ‘get it done’ in one go. And I’ve learnt very clearly that if you find yourself thinking ‘just one more…’ DON’T do it! That’s when accidents happen!

 

[M.F.]

I saw a lovely video of a woman with her pup on his back between her legs. She was snipping spaghetti (uncooked) with nail clippers. And for every clip, the dog got a treat. A very young pup getting used to lying back relaxed with the sound of the nail clippers.

I’ve never had a problem cutting Snowie’s nails. I’ve only ever taken off slivers. Only once cut the quick, but it was for his deformed nail (he has one on each foot) that are difficult to cut. I thought it would be scary to cut nails, but a very sharp pair of clippers makes it very easy. I was told to keep the nails aligned with the pads. If you hold a credit card under and against the pads, the nails should just touch the card.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Definitely agree with @HAH on the ‘just one more’ problem - that’s when I always get into trouble. And the styptic powder - that stuff is essential because if you do go too far, it can bleed for hours.

Carbón rarely needs his nails cut but my Rotties had to be done once a week and had tough nails. A Dremmel was so much better. We started just by touching the nail and treat, without having the Dremmel even turned on. My Dremmel was kind of old and didn’t have much power left - that was really good for nail trimming.

My biggest tip if you decide to give the Dremmel a try is to remember it gets hot due to the friction, so keep it moving, ie you can’t just apply to one part of the nail and sand it off until the desired length. Go at the top, then bottom then sides of the nail in quick succession.

If you’ve ever had gel nails done in a salon and had a not great technician, you’ll know what that heat feels like! If you don’t, then give yourself a Dremmel manicure first so you get a feel of how the heat builds.

And don’t give up hope. Carbón HATED having his nails trimmed even though I did all the de-sensitisation stuff. Now he could care less and just lies there like a wet noodle.

 

[Atemas]

I never had to cut my black Labrador’s nails - they naturally kept short by walking on pavements. Red has needed her nails cut from an early age and it wasn’t easy for ages. Took two of us to do - at the end of the day we just had to get on with it. One to hold her and the other to cut the nails - just a bit each time. Over time - a long time, she has accepted it needs to be done and is fairly compliant. We do it as kindly aspossible - lots of praise and treats at the end. Ideally desensitisation is the way to go but I don’t think she’d ever just offer her paw up to have her nails cut. Never fancied using a dremel.

Recently Red had to have a general anaesthetic so I asked if they’d cut her nails whilst under. I was interested to see they only cut a bit of each nail just as I do so reassured I am doing it right. It’s the one job I really hate doing

 

[Karen]

Thank you all for the replies.

I'm afraid I ran out of patience trying to desensitise my 2 (they were grown dogs, not pups), at the end of the day, their nails needed trimming.

Yes, this is my concern - that I’ll spend weeks trying and get nowhere while her claws continue to grow.

One thing I’ve learned is that it’s not like our experience of nail cutting, where we don’t really feel the nail being trimmed. They feel the pressure through their toes, so tiny slivers are best through multiple sessions, rather then trying to just ‘get it done’ in one go. And I’ve learnt very clearly that if you find yourself thinking ‘just one more…’ DON’T do it! That’s when accidents happen!

Thanks for the tip. I will try very small slivers. And stop before I think I should! And we will get some styptic powder first!

My biggest tip if you decide to give the Dremmel a try is to remember it gets hot due to the friction, so keep it moving, ie you can’t just apply to one part of the nail and sand it off until the desired length. Go at the top, then bottom then sides of the nail in quick succession.

If you’ve ever had gel nails done in a salon and had a not great technician, you’ll know what that heat feels like! If you don’t, then give yourself a Dremmel manicure first so you get a feel of how the heat builds.

And don’t give up hope. Carbón HATED having his nails trimmed even though I did all the de-sensitisation stuff. Now he could care less and just lies there like a wet noodle.

I’ve never had my nails done so thank you for the tip re friction heat. I’ll try the Dremmel on my nail first. It is good to know that Carbon hated it at first but is ok now.

 

[Selina27]

@Karen - that's a stunning photo of your beautiful Cassie.

I don't have any nail trimming tips as my Cassie has learnt to do them herself over the years! I kid you not!
Interestingly, this thread has made me realise that I haven't seen her do it since we moved house a couple of weeks ago, which maybe a result of pavement walking which she rarely did before.

 

[Karen]

@Karen

I don't have any nail trimming tips as my Cassie has learnt to do them herself over the years! I kid you not!

Could Cassie please tell Cassie2 how to trim her own nails? It would be soooo much easier!

 

[Stacia]

With Flicka, she just rolled over onto her back and I gently nicked the top off each nail on her forelegs, back nails never need doing. Hardly anything was taken off in the beginning and then there was the offer of a 'special biccy' for afterwards which I keep just for nail trimming.

 

[HAH]

The other option is a scratch board, I need to train this with my mums dog Zorro Nails
If you’re on Instagram, Ella @kirbydogtraining has a great reel on it (she’s a super trainer, v positive - search DIY Nail Scratchboard Training).

 

[Karen]

With Flicka, she just rolled over onto her back and I gently nicked the top off each nail on her forelegs, back nails never need doing. Hardly anything was taken off in the beginning and then there was the offer of a 'special biccy' for afterwards which I keep just for nail trimming.

I would love to do this but I suspect that Cassie won’t be quite as obliging as Flicka sadly. But who knows….we will try later today…just got back from a training walk followed by a serious case of the zoomies so will wait a while before trying. She is currently moving around the kitchen chucking herself down on the floor with a bang and a sigh

 

[Stacia]

I would love to do this but I suspect that Cassie won’t be quite as obliging as Flicka sadly. But who knows….we will try later today…just got back from a training walk followed by a serious case of the zoomies so will wait a while before trying. She is currently moving around the kitchen chucking herself down on the floor with a bang and a sigh

I initially just put the clippers on her paw and took straight off. Special biccies help!

 

[Selina27]

Could Cassie please tell Cassie2 how to trim her own nails?

I only wish she could - she could be onto a nice little earner if she could give tuition

 

[Cath]

I don't have any nail trimming tips as my Cassie has learnt to do them herself over the years! I kid you not!

So does Annie

 

[JES72]

I sneakily do one of two at a time when he’s really sleepy. I snipped one of Stanley’s a bit short and it bled quite a bit. Stan flinched but wasn’t put off completely. If I’d done that to Homer I’d never have been able to get the clippers anywhere near him.