New member hello and question

[bigotis]

Hello everyone! My user name is bigotis, but you can also call me A. I have a five month old black and tan mini, smooth, named Otis. We love him so much! I grew up with dachsies and this is my first as an adult. He is my midlife crisis baby and is loved and spoiled.

I have a concern I hope someone can help. Otis hates to have his nails cut. My normally sweet boy turns vicious. He cries and bares his teeth and even bites. I have tried every trick in the book, but nothing works. I used to cut them in his sleep but now he wakes up and runs for his life! I have had up to three people holding him and he is traumatized. My main concern is that I will hurt him. He twists and turns and is STRONG. I am afraid of hurting his back or legs and with all this squirming, I cannot cut the nails carefully. I have heard that dachsies are bad about their nails, but this is the worst! Has anyone had this experience? Is there a solution? I am ready to let the vet do it. Please help as his claws are getting long and gross!

Thanks everyone. I think this dachsie board will be great fun. I love to read about others and have lots of cute stories to share about our beloved Otis. I am definitely interested in a chat room.

See ya, A.

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Hi A. and Otis Welcome to the board http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/wavey.gif
Boy have i had the same experience as you half of my dogs are good with it half hate it and i have 2 that will fight til the death if you try to cut their nails i worked with them for months on letting me cut them playing with their feet giving them a treat after each paw or sometimes each nail... also tried cutting one paw in the morning and one paw at night to reduce stress finally my vet told me that i just had to get a muzzle their was no other way Sunni and Cactus were never gonna give up so i bought a soft flexi muzzle from petsmart for about $10 and its great although they still struggle they cant snap and bite. Another option is letting your vet. cut them or having a groomer do it ...which im still seriously considering. I dont know why they hate it so much but they arent changing their minds and they stay mad at me for a hour or so after. Good Luck i wish i had some more helpful advice.

Jen

[Augie Dog]

Aug gets it done at the vet.

I would like to do it myself though. Those big frito feet are, wellllll............

[SandyLynn]

Welcome, A and Otis!

I also recommend using a muzzle. That way Otis knows he can't intimidate you with his teeth. Try showing him a few of his favorite treats and telling him he'll get them if he lets you cut his nails.

Start small; do only one or two nails at a time, and reward him with a treat if he seems to be making an attempt to cooperate. If he really puts up a fight, you may have to start by just touching or playing with his nails and rewarding him for that.

Just nip off the very tips of the nails, even if they need to be cut shorter. You want to avoid cutting the quick at all costs, because he'll never forget it! You can always do a little bit every day until you have them all at the proper length. You could also try using a metal nail file (made for dogs) to file them down. Dogs seem to find this annoying, but less threatening than cutting.

Good luck, and let us know how you're making out.



<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by SandyLynn (edited September 02, 2000).]</font>

[Heather]

Hello A, and welcome. I brought both my babies to a local groomer and it was terrible. Both released that fright or flight gland and smelled to high heavens. I took them to my vet though and with some time and patience, he was able to get the job done. I would NOT recomend bringing him to a groomer that does not allow you to be in the room with them. I really regret sending Hans and Bean to this groomer, they came out so traumatized. Anyway, I have heard that the soft muzzles will help, and I would try your vet. Ours happens to be quite calm and soothing and the dogs really like him.

Good Luck!

[georgette]

I'm setting myself up to be yelled at here, but, is it THAT important? I KNOW they walk better and all but there's a limit to how much we want to traumatize them. Try walking on lots of concrete. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm16.gif" border=0> It works for Gabby but Dan's nails really are too long.
-georgette

[Roxane]

Just a big hello from Greta and Baylea. Not going to add or subtract from the "nail" issue.
< Private to Georgette:
Can you use Dan to help rake up all those NJ fall leaves? Just thought I'd ask. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/wink.gif >
Luv,
Roxane

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by Roxane (edited September 03, 2000).]</font>

[SandyLynn]

Georgette -

Walking them on concrete or asphalt DOES keep their nails shorter (except for dewclaws, if they have them), but I think it's important to train a dog to accept nail clipping. If the nails are too long, for too long a time, the structure of the foot can change. The toes splay out and the foot flattens. Dachsies are supposed to have "finely arched" toes.

I agree that dogs shouldn't be traumatized by nail clipping. Any groomer worth her fee should be willing to try and work with a dog (especially a puppy) that fears having its nails cut. It takes time and effort to be gentle, but it pays off in the long run.

[bigotis]

Hello again, from A and Otis. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all of your speedy advice! This is great! Also, thank you for all of the warm welcomes. I just want to mention that I do walk Otis a lot and this doesn't seem to be making a difference on his nails. I am concerned for him and he is also scratches people when on their laps. (This will change soon in MN as none of us will be wearing shorts!) I have decided to try a soft muzzle and then only two nails at a time. If he still struggles too much, I will bring him to the vet--it's just too stressful! I haven't gotten to the pet store yet, but when I do, I will let you know how it goes.

A couple of asides: Did you know there is an Augie doggy right here in Minnesota! He belongs to my friend and is so cute! (A black and tan smooth.) Also, I was trying to relate the frito stories to my significant other, and he turns to me and says,"Are you people ALL (meaning us wonderful dachsie owners) crazy?" Ha! This from the man who wants to buy Otis a sailor suit when he goes boating, and a child bike cart for our fall trail rides!

I hope everyone and their precious dachsies are having a great day!

See ya, A.

<font color="#00FFFF" font size="1">[This message has been edited by bigotis (edited September 07, 2000).]</font>

[Wienergal]

http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/walking.gif Welcome, A and Otis!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/walking.gif

Nothing to add on the nail issue, except to say that I think the plan you described in your most recent post is a good one--soft muzzle, two nails at a time; if failure, it's the vet!

In answer to your S.O.'s question about whether we are all crazy, the answer, my dear, is YOUBETCHA!!!!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/silly.gif To paraphrase Hillary Clinton's book, it takes all kinds of crazy to make a dachshund happy, and if it's a race between sniffing Frito feet and decking out the little wiener in a sailor suit, I think the sailor suit juuuuusst might break the tape first!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

So glad to have you here!!

--Pamela

[Sue&Reu2]

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm5.gif" border=0>
Hey A & Otis, we are new too! I can relate to the mid-life crisis thing with the new pup. My kids are 14 & 10. I was soooo ready for a baby in the house and Reuben fit the bill. I am 35 and Reuben came along at the perfect time. He is majorly spoiled rotten. My kids are definately jealous of momma's little Reu Bear! We are glad to meet ya'll! <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm20.gif" border=0>

[Mickamack]

My last dog Buddy hated getting his nails clipped so much, the vet had a hard time doing it. Mind you, Buddy was a big 11 lbs, but he DID NOT want to have his nails clipped! The squirming, twisting...the whole nine yards. It would take the vet, me and at least 1 other assistant to hold Bud while the vet clipped.

The vet then decided to try something. He gave B a little pill to help "relax" him. It worked. And he requested that whenever we were to cut the nails ourselves, or bring him in to get them cut, to give Buddy 1/2 of the sedative pill, just to help him relax.

That was the only way we could get the nasty deed done.

[wireweiners]

I saw a device called the nail bag in a pet catalog I got this weekend. you put the dog (or cat) in the bag and there were little zippered holes for the feet to stick out of and a hole for the head of course. You could zip up all the feet except the one you were working one.

I use a grinder and my guys don't exactly love it but they don't fight it like they do the clippers.

[twix0699]

Just a word of caution here...I once had a doxie named Max. We got him from the humane society and he hated<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm4.gif" border=0>having his nails clipped. I took him to the vet to have it done and they always put a soft muzzle on him. During one of our nail clipping visits, Max really decided he didn't want to be muzzled (as usual) and was trying to pull the muzzle off. He ripped one of his toenails out doing that! OUCH! So then I had a clubfooted wiener til the foot healed. Just be careful...I always take Twix to the vet, I am afraid to do it myself.
Teresa

[Oscar's Mom]

Oscar hates having his nails trimmed too. I bring him to Petsmart or Petco to have them done. This last time I brought cheese with me and held it at his mouth and let him nibble at it while his nails were being trimmed, it helped alot!

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Hi all!

When in doubt,
Get the food out!

(Dachsie mantra while they give you the L@@K)

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm8.gif" border=0>