I hate trimming claws!

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I hate cutting my dogs claws!! I have never had success! Even the tiniest amount causes screams and yelps! I dont know if they are hurting or protesting because I was told that my old dog screams before you even snip because he has learned that I will let go. AND all the nails are black!! I actually last week paid the vets office $20. to cut the nails for me and I think they missed one that is so much longer than the rest. I just stopped doing it with Bailey and only the groomer has been doing it for years now. But I think the whole sensitivity to being clipped came from the groomer doing it. I want to be able to cut Abby's nails without being a nervous wreck that I will hurt her...her nails are all black so I cant see any quick. Any suggestions?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Gosh, I have a coupon too. It seems as tho it would be harder to take too much off at one time with the dremel as opposed to the clippers. I'll have to look at them next time I go to BBB, THanks.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I just recently had a DK member e-mail me and ask about the Dremel. So I am cut/pasting my reply...I bought my Dremel Pet Tool at either PetCo or PetSmart and it is just around $40.00. There are two speeds and my husband always tells me to use the low speed and I still can't figure out why. The instructions tell you it is OK to use the fast. You just have to not stay on the nail a long time because the nail heats up, so they say. Gracie started out getting groomed and her nails done at the groomer. She has very big thick nails and they tend to splinter so I asked that they start Dremeling them. So initially her introduction was at the groomer. My daughter is in the process of introducing her Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy to the tool. They say to just lay it next to them and let them sniff it and check it out. Then just sit with them and turn it on so they get used to the noise. Just get them comfortable with the looks and sound of the tool. I always do Gracie when she is totally worn out and sleeping. I get down on the floor and I use what are called "head lights" which you can buy at Home Depot. It is an elastic headband that has lights in the center. You can tip the lights to the angle that best lights up the nail. These come in really handy. I just finished painting my kitchen and I wore them!!! Gracie saw them on me and disappeared...ha ha. Anyway. I take Gracie's front paw and try to isolate one claw. You want to make sure you have all the hair pushed way back.
That is the one drawback to the Dremel. You can get the hair twisted around the shaft of the grinder which you do not want to do. Once I have the nail sticking out then I start the grinding just sort of moving the grinder back and forth across the nail. They say to not apply pressure to the tool. Of course Gracie will flinch and try to pull away. I just tell her No, it's OK that it is Momma and I won't hurt her. She has very sensitive front feet anyway. She doesn't like me to brush or comb them either. If you look underneath the claw you can see where the quick is. They say it is best to do the nails once a week. If they are already too long, doing it once a week slowly retracts the quick back and it allows you to over a period of time get the nails shorter. That is why it is important to not let the nails grow and grow. They get so long that you can't clip them back down short without clipping the quick. I think there are only four nails on the front paws. Then there may or may not be a Dew Claw which is up the wrist a little. Some breeders remove them at birth and I sure wish they had removed Gracie's!!! These on Gracie are very narrow and hollow so it is really hard to see the quick and also hard to get a good angle on. I then use the clippers to shorten them up before I go with the Dremel. It is a really wobbly claw and hard to work with. I don't have to do anything to Gracie's back feet because she runs on cement every day chasing her ball. Her nails are totally worn down. In fact, as a toddler, she had to wear shoes because she would wear them down so they would bleed. Take it slow and get her used to it. I have played with every part of Gracie's body since I got her and she will let me do anything to her that needs to be done. Sometimes she likes to think she is the boss and play hard to get but I always win!!! Good Luck

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

Here's a link to my original article on nail cutting. Whether U use clippers or dremel, the basics apply. Puppy love from Joy & furry folk http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/i-hate-trimming-claws?xg_s...