Nails

[dutchman]

Hi guys I know this is one of the most common questions out there but here goes. Last night it was time to trim Frank's front toe nails again. It took about thirty minutes of high stress (for both of us) to get the eight nails cut. This is one time I'm glad he had his dew claws removed. I use the pliers type of cutter, I'm afraid to try a motor tool the way Frank pulls and bites at the clippers. He has no problems with my handling his feet so long as I don't have any tools in my hands but let me bring out the scissors for hair trimming or the clippers for the nails and it's battle time. I know Aggie didn't like having her nails trimmed but she was small and gentle enough I could handle her with minor effort. I tried to bribe Frank giving him a liver brownie bit after each nail that gut cut. He was placed on his back numerous times to remind him he's not the boss. I'm open to suggestions what tricks have you found to help lessen the nail war. I'm considering paying the $8 to have his nails trimmed the next time they need it.

Tom

[~8DachsieAngels~]

Frankie sounds just like some of mine imagine having to cut 8 sets of nails once every 2 weeks ...lol My Cactus is the only one that gets really ill with it he will try to bite the clippers or even me at times to get away he HATES it but its getting better after each nail i cut i tell him GOOD BOY MOMMY IS SOOOOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU! (im nuts right) and that seems to calm him then he may let me cut one or two more before he struggles again .... I also give them a couple treats when they are done the vet said if he didnt get better i would have to muzzle him to cut them but i dont think it will come to that... i hope!! I think its the clicking sound he doesnt like he doesnt freak until he hears the click... *strange it must remind him of something else he doesnt like or something*? Good Luck with Frankie sorry i couldnt be of more help!

Jen

[WOTANSMUTTI]

Har har, Here I go giving advice while MY new pair of nailclippers lie unopened on the kitchen table...

I'm going to try a few at a time and not the whole army of toes at once. Hopefully this will be less threatening! ?

[Buddy's mom]

Bud is the same way. He will let me play with his toes until its time to trim. I have been paying $5 every other week to have his nails done but with adding 2 more sets of nails real soon I think he'll have to let me start doing it.

[Krista]

You wouldn't think that my lil 10lb boy could put up much of a fight, but boy CAN he ever. This is what I find to be easiest. sit on the Floor that way wriggling will be less dangerous if they get away from you. I only just clip the tip with plier type cutters. He howls and wiggles like he is dying, but I know that I am not cutting enough to hurt him this way. I do the front paws one week the back the next and so on. Sometimes if he is having a really bad fit I do one paw one night and the other the next day. After each cut that I say "gooooooood Boooooooooy!" After its all over, a special liver treat reserved only for nail trims.

It works for me, but is still a trial, and no he is not getting better as time wears on.

[dutchman]

Just as I suspected no real solutions to the nail fears. Time to get to work on a Dachshund squeeze shoot design http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/silly.gif. You know one of those things they run cattle through when they need to brand them or give shots. If I pad it with enough foam and leave little holes to pull the feet out. I better tell my friend in law school to hurry up so I can have her help me out with the patent http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/uh-oh.gif.

Tom

[wireweiners]

I find that my guys accept the grinder much better than clippers. The only one that won't let me grind her nails is Katie, the Catahoula and she doesn't really mind having her nails clipped.

Pippin was horrible when it came to clipping nails. I would have to muzzle him, it took two people to hold him and was the cause of much stress and cursing from both of us. I started using the grinder and now he will lay on his back with no hassle and let me grind away. The same for Rita and Buddy. Rita flinches a little but its no big deal. Wheeler goes to sleep while I'm doing it.

I use a dremel type tool rather than the regular nail grinders because it is sturdier and has more speeds than the nail grinders. I start by holding them on their back in my lap or laying them on their backs on the sofa. (You can kind of stuff them down between the cushions to help hold them). I then let them sniff the grinder and give them a treat. Then I touch the grinder to their toes while it is off and give them a treat. Next I turn the grinder on low and let them hear it, followed by a treat. Finally I touch the grinder to their nails while it is on low and treat. At first just touch the grinder briefly to each nail and skip from nail to nail. As they get used to it, you can apply more pressure and grind the nail longer. Do not stay on one nail too long as the friction causes heat to build up and that gets uncomfortable. You will be able to tell when you are at the quick by the change in texture of the nail. Occasionally you will see a bead of blood if you grind to short but it is nothing like quicking one with the clippers. If you have a longhair or a wire with a lot of furnishings, try putting an infant's sock on their feet with a small hole for the nail to portrude so you won't get their hair caught in the grinder. Wear eye protection for yourself and if you have long hair, tie it back so your hair won't get caught. Believe me, once they get used to it it is much easier than clippers. However, even when I get the grinder out, Pippin tucks all his feet underneath him and pretends he doesn't have any toes.

[Roxane]

Hi Wireweiners:
We use the Dremel on the large dogs but haven't as yet on the Dachsies.Thanks for the in detail instructions, sounds like a winner.
Roxane

[dutchman]

Can you give me some specific information on what sanding drums, wheels, etc you use in your dremel. I own bot a corded and a rechargeable version from my model RR days. I've always been scared what would happen if Frank tried to bite the motor tool or jerked and it touched his pads.

Thank you,

Tom

[Penny's Aunt]

I have read advice about giving one treat for every toe, but I don't know how effective it is.

I have been tempted to cut 4 holes in a sturdy pillowcase, lower the dog into it, & have someone holding the top. Or maybe that bulletproof Kevlar fabric (for making bullet-proof vests & snakebite suits) would be better.

Then Temptation rears its head & reminds me of the old "blunt object"...

[wireweiners]

Dutchman, I'm not really a "tool person" but I use the little sandpaper tubes that fit over a rubber drum. I like to use either coarse or medium grade. The fine takes too long.

Mine have never tried to bite the wheel although my old chocolate tried to grab the handle once. If you touch their pad, they will jerk away so it doesn't do any damage. I can really manicure my guys' nails. I can round the edges so they don't scratch like freshly trimmed nails. If the nail is too long, I will sand the nail around the quick until it is thin enough so the quick will dry out and wear down without hurting the dog. The trick is to take it slow and easy at first and if they let you just touch the wheel to the nail give them treats and praise. If you have someone else to hold them the first few times that will help also. The only problem I have is Rita's dewclaws. I can't grind them because of her furnishins so they have to be clipped. I would never go back to clipping all their nails.

[wireweiners]

One more thing, if you have a longhair or wire, trim the hair between the toes and around the pad before you grind. That will help prevent the hair from being caught in the grinder. Just hold the paw in your hand, gently press the toe to extend the nail and start grinding.

Good luck

[robin]

What's the average length of time between nail clippings?

[dutchman]

Thanks eveyone for your suggestions. It will be a little while befoe we can try any of them. I do have 18 more nails in the house since little Tanner have joined Frank and I.

Tom, Frand and now Tanner