First time with dremel 9 week pup.. have a few questions

[Harper's mom]

Hi there! Well I have been getting Ella used to the dremel and am about to try really using it! I have a few questions though...

1) Her paw hair is already quite long. Can I trim it above the nails so that they are easier to see and to prevent the hair from getting caught? Or will that look silly? I don't really want to have to stress her more by putting nylons on her feet to keep the hair away..

2) Is there a specific way to hold the dremel when filing her nails? I have seen both holding it horizontally and vertically.. Does one way work better?

3) Do you clip the end with a nail clipper first, or just use the dremel? I haven't bought a clipper, but her nails are pretty long. Not sure if it would be better for her to clip a bit first..

I am so nervous!!! But I promised myself that I would do all of her grooming myself :)  Next is the hair around her eyes!

Thanks!!

 

[Adina P]

I've never had trouble with hair catching.  I just hold each toe nail individually and the hair usually just hangs back because of the way I hold it...I guess?  If the dremel has touched hair it has never yanked hair or pulled it around itself.  Maybe I've been lucky.   My only advice is to plan on just doing 1-2 nails if needed.  If you keep it to where she doesn't react disfavorably she'll be more likely to accept it next time.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

You're gonna be fine!  We dremel Remington nails probably every two weeks.  This is how we do it.  I dremel while my husband holds all the hair back, so no we don't clip hair or anything. Remington's hair has got caught a little in the dremel which is scary but he didn't seem to even notice.  I personally hold it horizontally, but this is just my preference.  I think whatever is comfortable for you is best.  I personally like to clip the nails before I dremel.  Others would probably say if you clip the nails what is the point of dremeling.  Remington's nails grow so fast so I like to clip the worst off and then dremel to smooth them out.

 

Hope this help.  She's a doll :)

[Melissa]

What a cutie!!!  I do sometimes clip the hair around the nails.  Not a lot, just a bit.  And I also do not clip them before I dremel.  I hold the dremel horiaontally really close to the tip and use my thumb on his paw to steady it.  Hardest part of holding the puppy steady.  I agree with Adina.  Only a couple at a time.  Even now I usually do the front feet, give Buddy a break with lots of praise and treats and then tackle the back feet.  Good luck!

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

I only read of this in a post just a few days ago, but someone (a very wise someone) suggested putting a knee-hi or stocking over the paw to keep toe hair away from the rotary movement of the dremel.  Please read the post, it was very interesting.It is very easy to catch their hair in the dremel, I have had that  experience and my pet was not a happy camper!.

 

p.s.  Ella is darling!

[Harper's mom]

Thanks for your suggestions! I will have hubby help me hold her tomorrow while I cut a few nails!!!  I cut the hair around her eyes today and no injuries :)

Thanks.. I think that she is a beauty!!