Nails

[buliebuse]

Hi Guys
Please don't LOL at this question - if you do - do it quietly please.
After so many months of soft ground after rain etc Buse has 'grown' her nails.
Would it be best to get nail clippers & do yourself?If so what is the guidance etc for not 'cutting to the quick' so to speak. Ie what is rule of thumb.
Or would it be best to take to the Vets?
Ju

[mayahund]

Hi Ju!
Why should we laugh?

I have reached the age were my eyes no longer sees the things I want them to see - i.e I used to be short sighted but due to age (hmmpf) my arms now don't seem to be able to find the right distance to where I can see unblurred visions! Due to this I stopped clipping nails on the dogs. Sometimes I take them to the local dogshop and get them cut there, or if we have a planned vet.visit I let them do it but mostly hubby gets his little "manicure set" out and clips and files the nails on the girls. Best result is when they're also filed not just clipped.

If they're really long you might have to cut them every fortnight in order to make the pulp (don't know if it's the correct word in english?) go back in order for the nails to become shorter.

Ewa

[temwani]

Hi Ju,

This is a link to a website showing you how to do it.
www.thepetcenter.com/gen/nailtrim.htm
I have to cut my dogs nails regularly - especially pickle who grows them at a phenomenal rate. In answer to whether you should do it yourself - it depends on how much your dog is going to struggle. I find it best with a BB to wait until sound asleep and then just do one nail. Alternatively you can use the butter and marmite on the fridge trick. Smear generously across the fridge door and whilst frantic licking is going on cut quickly.

I would recommend you just nip the ends off at first and keep doing them every five days until they are as short as you want. I find the plier style clippers best - get the ones which screw together and then you can take apart and re-sharpen.

Most vets will cut them back in one go for you but may want a sleeping dog to do it and I hate seeing their claws bleeding.

I know some people use nail files even electric ones but I haven't had a lot of success filing.

Geri

PS Most dogs I know are better having their owner hold them and someone else do the cutting. Averting eyes and eating treats also helps.

[buliebuse]

Thanks Geri & Ewa for your response
As regards butter & marmite it would a fight to the death between Buse & Clive if I smeared it on the fridge
Shall have a look at the website etc tomorrow.
Am pretty loathe to take Buse to the vets as when we had Tuke the RR she had just her dew claws clipped by them - blimey I've never seen blood like it & not stop for ages.
Think will get some clippers off our dog-food lady supplier - can do Clives at the same time then - Tee Hee
Ju

[temwani]

Ju,

The wait til asleep and then cut quickly technique works on men too.

[mayahund]

Ju!
When you pick up clippers also get yourself some stuff that will stop bleeding. Your better off having it at home - just in case - than at the shop

Another good thing to use in case you clip into the pulp is ice - put it into a plastic bag, crush it up a bit in a towel with a hammer and then put the paw into it. Keep the paw in there for 4-5 minutes at least before checking if it stopped.

Ewa

[buliebuse]

Excellent - shall I castrate at the same time or do you think that would be over-kill?
Ju

[bulieboerboels]

depends on wether you are talking about Clive or the dog.
regards Paul.

[buliebuse]

As Buse is a bitch
What do you think?
Ju ;D

[sandaharr]

Very silly person Harry cut Razzy's nails too short(well ok only 1) but now she goes into extreme panic mode at the sight of the clippers coming out and I believe would even have a go at me,her very loving mummy if I tried to do the dastardly deed!

[temwani]

Sandra,

Tem was the same but I have a large foot stool which she climbed on - (Ok .... really it's a dog bed) fell sound asleep and I was able to quietly cut one claw at a time. Had to be very patient and wait for that real deep snoring!

Geri

[temwani]

Ju,

I wish I had the courage to trim Paul's beard when he's asleep but he would murder me when he woke up. I'm just so under his thumb. You will have to help me.

Geri

[buliebuse]

Hi Guys
Just thought I'd let you know , clipped 1 of Buses nails last night.
Introduced her to the clippers which we put on the floor by her alongside a treat.She then had another treat after having the 1 nail clipped. Not phased at all. So will go with the softly ,softly approach so as not to freak her. Perhaps 2 nails tonight.
Had a long conversation with the 'head' vet last night & as he really dislikes any mastiff-type breeds he was very pleased to hear that we didn't want to put Buse under unnecessary stress by having it done all at once at the vets.
Also am picking up a silver nitrate pen from him today - so that if an accident does occur then this apparently clots the blood immediately.Only downside is - it will stain carpet permanently & skin for a couple of weeks.
Have any of you used this before?
Or am I teaching people to suck eggs?
Ju

[temwani]

Ju,

We just use tissue and mop the floor!
Paul has some powder but I just try hard not to make the nails bleed.

Geri

[mayahund]

Sounds like you're doing it just right!
You can also sit with her and "pat" her with the clipper in order to de- traumatize the clippers.

Well done - have a drink and celebrate! BUT after clipping!!!!
Ewa