Pedipaws - What's your opinion?

[mauigirl]

That's how I do it too sometimes I swivel them around to get the back nails, or hoist them up a little so I can reach them

[gneigum]

I like the pedipaws, & both Bs don't mind at all. It does take a little longer, but I think in my case it helps with the bonding? Everyone has their own ideas about nail trimming, I guess it's what both pet & owner are comfortable with.

G

[Kananga]

I'm using the same tool. I also put him on his back between my legs. Seems like the only way for him to sit still. Otherwise he'll try to walk away (my B rarely bolts strangely enough).

I think it's a decent tool for trimming their nails. You can smooth them out too so they are not so sharp. Might actually be a nice complimentary tool to clipping their nails since nail clippers can leave their nails sharp at time.

[Lei Lei's Mom]

I work in retail I am in customer service and i have learned that the ones you by that are 19.99 are not as good as the more expensive ones. Everyone brings them back, they say they arent as good as they thought. There arent the slots for the nails either. My sister ordered on online and she loves it. It has the different settings for the different nail sizes. the cheap ones dont. I dont recommend them.

[nice2bme1]

I use one all the time. Kali doesn't mind it. I wish I had used it the whole 11 years. I also have found that a horse grooming stone called a thinner is GREAT for shedding. It looks like a lava rock and smells like an egg…Yuck I know. It's the best tool I've ever used on my B. My breeder first used it when she was in the ring. Once learned it's the greatest as well.....I'm new here but have lots of experience with this breed.....

[moetmum]

I use a dremel on mine, they are quite happy, they always get a treat afterwards, we also use the horse grooming stone, only we call it a stripping stone, I tried googling it once, I leave it to your imagination as to what sites came up!!

[Craigh]

@tanza:

I have never used anything other them the Dremel for nails… much better then the clippers... and less chance of cutting the quick...

Ditto. All I've used on any of my B's.

[Elscodobermann]

I just use standard clippers.
My first dobermann was a nightmare to clip - she hated it - so i used to use a foot long iron file to file down her nails - she was a bit of a character and would hold my arm in her mouth all the while i filed - as though to say "we are not going to hurt each other are we?"

[Mochi]

I used to use the basic $20 dremel from Walmart. I think pedipaws can be really slow and takes a lot of time. I switched to a dremel that plugs into the wall at my shop because the rechargeable dremel battery will only last about 3 months, (but that is filing about 6 dogs nails a day). Just my 2 cents.

[Kipawa]

Kipawa's nails are done with a dremel. I do one nail, and give him one of his dog food kibbles. repeating this until all the nails are done. He's very good about nail trimming - I just pick up one of his paws (from wherever he is sitting), hold the toe firmly in my hand, and dremel. It works so well because Therese and Kevin got him used to the dremel.

[2baroos]

off so I only have to do the front ones. I lay a special treat out and the clippers and he comes and sits with me. I talk to him the whole time and go as fast as possible.When it is done-he gets the treat. I bought the Pedipaws and he left the room and went to his bed which is a safe place. After trying for 3 days I took them back.

[LeeL]

SO, really, how long does it take you to get them used to the dremel?

Mine absolutely hate the clippers. When the first two were little, I had started using clippers on them and they were generally OK and getting used to it, then I stupidly volunteered to let a Petsmart trainer in our puppy obedience class use my male to demonstrate to the rest of the class. First nail the guy clipped he went right through the middle of the nail, Tigger screamed out in pain and blood went everywhere. Ever since then, he growls if you just get them near him and the others have taken his lead. Now, it is as much my fault as anything as I never really tied to push through and retrain.

I have a dremel with a flexible attachment as well, so the machine is at least 3 feet from them. I have tried a couple of times, but they still get mad at the noise. I really would like to rely on something other than walks and running on the bit of concrete we have in the backyard to keep them trimmed.

Are we talking 10 time, 20 times, more, before I should even try to actually trim the nails?

[eeeefarm]

I use clippers, not a dremel, but there are a couple of things you can try. When you feed them, that's when to get them used to the noise. Turn it on at dinner time, bring it increasingly closer to their food bowls…...let it become a "dinner bell", so they associate the sound with good things. Let them get used to the vibration by holding it (or an electric toothbrush or vibrator) in you hand and putting your hand on the body, then a leg, then a paw, so the vibration becomes "old hat". In other words, come at it gradually so there is no "fear factor". Then, as long as there is no pain involved, you should be able to go ahead and start using it on their nails. (You might be able to desensitize the clippers the same way, but it will be harder with the boy who associates them with pain)

You should also be handling feet and examining nails on a regular basis. There should be no "don't touch my feet" reactions! If there are, you obviously need to work on that first. Reward for good behaviour, work through resistance with persistence. To me, it just isn't on to have any part of my dog's body that I can't handle.......you never know when it will be necessary because of an injury.

None of my Basenjis has ever been a fan of clippers, but it was never an optional activity. Had to be done, and was done. I don't believe in unnecessary restraint. The dog learns to be responsible for controlling himself/herself while I work on the feet. My show bitch was hilarious......she would become increasingly annoyed, then she would complain vocally, then make a slow motion grab for the hand holding the clippers. She never bit down, just registered her displeasure. I think she was disappointed at my reaction when I laughed at her.

[agilebasenji]

http://dogmantics.com/2008/02/19/how-to-train-your-dog-to-relax-for-nail-clipping/

this link may help. I haven't watched all of this particular video, but I have liked the ones on that site that I've seen. I've also found that some b's have ticklish feet.

Tigger, with the bad experience, may take longer, but as the dremel is different, I think it would be easier to get him comfortable with the dremel than the clippers. I do have a friend that trained her terriers to scratch at a board with sandpaper on it to file their nails. Don't know how she did with the back toes, but that's an idea.

[kjdonkers]

We have never clipped or trimmed the nails of Lela and Binti: we walk on road surface frequently and that does the job.

[LeeL]

It does, the only issue is that we have hardwoods everywhere, so just relying on the natural action of walking on concrete and asphalt only trims them down just to the point where they still make tons of noise when they walk around inside.

[DebraDownSouth]

Yeah I found the pedipaw ones to be worthless. I just use my dremel.

[QuizBasenji]

On a different note - I love these posts that say "use kibble as a treat…" Butu will tolerate this for maybe one or two pieces (more if it's a new (to Butu) kibble)...otherwise I get a horrified "but this is food" look - Butu has Definite Ideas on what is a treat...

[stash]

Kaiser tends to walk a lot on the grass sniffing than on the concrete so we have to do his nails, use a scissor type clipper and have to file after to blunt the edges. He gets a treat(anything is a treat in this house) every couple of toes and loves to eat his clippings, my poodle also enjoyed them. Have ordered a Pedipaw to try out of curiosity, bit scared about the power of a dremel I just hate hurting them when doing their nails as they sure know you did it, so glad Kaiser has clear nails not black like my poodle did and I poked and prodded his feet as a puppy.

Jolanda and Kaiser

[eeeefarm]

@stash:

I just hate hurting them when doing their nails as they sure know you did it,

Yes, they do. But in my experience they also understand that was not the intent. I always apologize to my animals for any accidental discomfort, and I find both dogs and horses seem to understand that pain was not inflicted on purpose. I don't know if they read my tone of voice, my body language, or something deeper, but almost without exception I find my apology is accepted, certainly for anything minor. If the pain was intense, I suppose it might result in a different outcome, I don't know….