Pads of feet

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

We took Myla to the groomer on Monday and I asked her to take care of Myla's hair on her feet.

Now she doesn't slide on the floor when we put her in a sit. Now Chloe freaks out on the table with her legs and feet. Does anyone ever use scissors to get rid of hair in between (she lets me do this if she lays down) or is the clipper/shaver better and safer?? We don't take Chloe for grooming, I do it at home.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

We use both... scissors to get it short and the clippers to get it close.  Don't know if this is the right or wrong way... just how we do it.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Which blade do you use for the clippers?? ow's Remington doing???

[Apple Creek Doodles]

Yes, I use scissors all the time. If you have Chloe up on a table you can flip her paw backwards and use your fingers underneath to separate her pads to get in there real good. Do be careful as I think it's a bit easier to pinch or cut the pads with scissors vs a blade.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I'm always afraid of cutting her and I was always scared to try the clippers by the pads.

[Kate C Pappas]

Hi there. I wrote a blog on Grooming my Labradoodle. It's on my page. I'm not a pro like Barb. I do 'Poodle Feet' on both my girls and use both clippers and scissors to tidy up.

I just discovered something about doing my younger girl's feet (she's 18 months), I use the ThunderShirt on her when I do her feet and she becomes a limp noodle.http://www.thundershirt.com

You can't lose by trying one. They're about $36.00 and have a MONEY BACK guarantee. They're used for calming a dog during storms etc or for basic anxiety. I no longer use it for those reasons but last time I was doing Yindi's feet and she's always hated it, a lightbulb came over my head and I put the shirt on her!

For the actual grooming of the feet, I use my Andis clippers with a #10 ceramic blade and cut in the direction of the growth on the top of the feet. Then I change to a 5/8th" blade and do in between the toes. I finish up with my little Andis 1" lighted clippers. BTW..my large Andis have a light and it is brilliant in that you can see directly where you're clipping. If there are any straggly hairs, I use scissors to get to them.

Good luck. The secret is to NEVER let her win or she'll know what to do. Be firm and insistent and let her know you're the boss.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Thanks so much for all your help! I ALWAYS try not to let her win, that's what everyone tells me.

I will try this way and yes a brilliant idea with the thundershirt I could actually get her hind legs done too (Myla's)

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

I use scissors on my guys feet. They can be laying down on the floor, relaxed or sometimes when I'm watching TV and brushing/combing one of them in my lap. I keep a small container with daily grooming supplies in it close by -- so after I brush/comb out a foot, I'll grab the little scissors and trim. We're both relaxed and it's not "a chore."

When Connor was little he hated to have his front feet messed with, so I clicker trained him with the command "foot." It worked like a charm and he doesn't give me any problems with grooming or trimming/filing his nails.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Another awesome idea with the foot training! Thanks so much!!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I have trouble doing this (and nail trimming) with Luna.  We try bribing her with treats, but she just constantly twitches her feet when I'm trying to groom them.  It takes me a long time to groom her feet (with scissors) because she's always trying to take them away from me!

 

Maybe she just has sensitive feet and I will just have to keep taking it slow?