Oh God, I remember the first time I read this, way back in 1999, when this was a listserv. I printed it off, so I could show it to people. I have it saved and still laugh uncontrollably when I read it! Thank god there are no elk in Iowa. It's hard enough to wrestle a piece of pizza away from my two, let alone a carcass.
Nail clipping! (Dogs not mine!)
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I do nails once a week on pups that are going or are being shown… "retired" adults every 2wks... and I use grinders, have never used clippers.....
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I think every two weeks is about right, I use a large metal work file currently. I concur with Scott, this is also not one of my favourite jobs and it usually gets put off to another day and so on. They never enjoy it!
I have always used clippers in the past, but occasionally you catch one too close to the quick. Most clippers obscure where you are cutting so I think grinding or filing is best.
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It really depends on the dog. My girls I have to trim just about every week. My boy, I rarely have to trim, he keeps them very short. I use a grinder.
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Jaycee back nails do not need near the up keep as her front. About every two weeks and we walk not sure why they do not were down but anyway. We use the Pedi-Paws it's ok just fancy name for a dremel but husband has that and uses it on our Akita. I am not to sure about it.
Rita Jean
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I do my dogs claws about every two weeks as well. I have the clippers for Luna, the glorified mutt, she is very ticklish and I can't even do two claws with the dremel before she looses it. The other two, Otis and Gus gets the dremel. Otis can't stand it either but I am going to win this battle so we are fighting on..His claws are very nice and short, but I still do it every 2 weeks to make it a regular thing..
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When a dremel is used what attachment do you use? I just got my puppy (6-7 months old) and when she walks on the carpet I can hear her nails dragging.
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When a dremel is used what attachment do you use? I just got my puppy (6-7 months old) and when she walks on the carpet I can hear her nails dragging.
The sanding band.
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Hi!
I use to cut Mody?s nails about once a week or once a two weeks…they grows fast when Bs are puppies, then it will slow down. (I hope so, because Mody really hate it and it is one big fight between us two who will hang in longer. Usually it is me, fortunately. Mody is running away, growling and trying to bite. I try to manage it by possitive way and treating her in every good reaction on clipper and I thing it has improved a little.)
We live in centre of the town but I have to cut nails of both my dogs, because they are growing despite they are walking and running much outside. -
Shaye is six months old - she seems to keep hers short walking on the cement sidewalks - I have clipped the dew claw one time - so far hasn't needed it since - I keep a watch on them to be sure since they never touch the ground.
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I use much the same method as Benkura except my show dogs get a quick 'dremel' a couple of times a week.
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I don't think Bella has ever had her nails clipped because we just had a major fight in just clipping so we never managed to get to the dremel. Funny to watch the dog how to videos on clipping nails and they use this passive dog that would let you do anything. Should show working with one who does not want it done.
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I need the 'leader of the pack' to be dishing out this paw related stuff!
(Translated, that means my wife!)
Self elected ruler of household Grear - it's time to earn your stripes!!
Alan
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I often wonder how you know when they need to be clipped. I have never clipped zoes who is now 6 months old. I bought clippers but they are still in the package. We walk everyday for at least and hour and most of that is on the side walk or street so I think they get worn down this way.
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If I can hear the nails on the floor, then I know it is "past" time to dremel them
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I like to use the dremel very often so it become a natural thing we do…The dogs have a different opnion but that is a different story all in its own..
Sometimes clipping the very tips works good, and then dremel the rest. -
Hehe, thanks for bumping the topic! I was just about to make a similar topic!
I have yet to get my Basenji, but I had made my mind up on using a grinder. I was not aware that this implied using a Dremel though. I always thought that the high speed would be uncomfortable to the dogs, and that there was a specific dog grinder tool.
Guess I learned something new today.I saw Ceasar Millar on the Dog Whisperer help a dog get used to the grinder, and I am deffently going to use that method. He had the dog relax (rubbing/petting), turned it on, let the dog relax again, and then turned the grinder upside down and used the back end (the battery pack) it to massage the dog. Rubbing it over the dog, and up and down his legs, and eventually his feet.
After a while the dog enjoyed it, and it's face was truly relaxed. Then he started using the grinder on the nails, and the dog was not so frantic about it.That is totally the approach I plan to do when I get my Basenji. I think I will also just use the grinder as a massage one in a while so it is not just associated with nail grinding. Hopefully, if it all goes according to planned, he will willingly lie down and let me grind his nails whenever he hears it…or her...no idea yet.
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I have yet to get my Basenji, but I had made my mind up on using a grinder. I was not aware that this implied using a Dremel though. I always thought that the high speed would be uncomfortable to the dogs, and that there was a specific dog grinder tool.
Guess I learned something new today.There are pet specific grinders available, but different Dremels have different low-end speeds. I have 2 Dremels (and always use them on the lowest speed)…one plugs in with a big range of adjustment speeds...but its low end speed is the same as the cheaper pet brands. I have a battery powered Dremel that has only 3 speeds...again the low end speed is the same as the cheaper pet brands. IMHO, I find it much easier to use the one that is battery powered. Oh, and like Pat said, I use the sanding bands.
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I have a dremel and a pedi-paws (the pet specific dremel), and I believe the dremel is a tad bit better…wish I would've known that before I spent the money. The pedi-paws in my opinion is weaker, and it draines batteries like a banshee. IMO
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I use a dremel on my B's, it has high or low speed, I always use the high speed. My dremel is battery operated so I use rechargeable batteries, it works well.
Mine are quite happy to cooperate as they know they will get a treat at the end of it!
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From what I researched what tanza said is how you determine. When we took Bella in on our wood floor in the sunroom you could hear her clicking. She also sounds like her paws are catching on the carpet. We walk several times a day on pavement but that doesn't seem to be wearing them down much. Someone else on the forum said puppies nails grow faster than when they get older. I am hoping that is true because I am not looking forward to the next time we have to do it.
