Nail Care- Clip or grind

[Christena]

Josh is in Animal Assisted Therapy training and may visit people with sensitive skin. I have always clipped our doxies nails but our trainer suggests grinding them as it leaves them smoother. He said it very matter of factly- like isn't everyone already doing this- then he moved right along to the next subject. Do you have any advice for a newbie to grinding? What kind do I buy? Is it easy to learn to do or should I take him to a groomer for this? I guess I am nervous about trying something new although Josh is very good about having his nails done and probably won't fuss a bit.

[Orchid Crazy]

My vet volunteered to show me how to grind the nails. There are many here who do it and will give advice on the how to's. What my vet recommended it to start out with an ordinary emory board and see how Buddy reacted to the noise and sensation. Then she said to move up to a fine metal nail file. Then if all went well, buy a dremel and just let it run around him so he gets used to the noise; moving it closer if he doen't seem bothered by it. She said to slowly work up to trying the dremel on his nails. I started it yet - maybe in the fall when I have more time to devote to it. Someone here also mentioned giving a dab of peanut butter to the pup to keep them preoccupied while you are doing nails.

[kpm_tex]

I bought a regular cordless Dremel http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188091&G=66204&I=69676 You can buy ones just for nails.. but this way I have something I can use around the house too if I need to. I use the grinding stone but there are others who use the sandpaper bands. Mine have taken to it a lot better than I thought they would. They are better about it then the nail clippers any day of the week. You want to use kind of a tap, tap, tap.. method If you leave it one the nail too long the nail will heat up... Deckle-mom uses it on her therapy dogs so she may have some good tips for you.

[Suzanne R]

My vet is still in the dark ages - she and her groomer still use clippers!

[FourOrchards]

I struggle so much with Ally and clipping. I have wanted to try dremmeling too. I am going to start with the emery board first and them work up to see if she'd tollerate the dremmel. When it comes to nail trimming/clipping/grinding...my advice is to do what ever works....and good luck! It's never easy for us.:eekdevil:
You know you can even use an emery board after you clip to smooth out those rough edges. I have done that will Ally so she won't scratch me. Another thing that works is a good walk on the sidewalk after a nail clipping....a natural polishing! :banana02:

[Christena]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. Josh will let me file his nails to smooth them after clipping but I can never get them to look as good as picture posted earlier. Practice makes perfect I guess!