Keoki used to FREAK OUT at nail trimming time, so I had to use cookies to teach him that the Dremel is his friend.
He's still not convinced it's his friend, but he does remain reasonably still. Not like Jazz who just lays over back wards and lets me do whatever, but getting there.
Trimming Nails
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Dew claw.
It seems to be safer to remove them as some of the injuries can look pretty bad! -
The dew claws should be removed by the breeder when the puppies are only a few days old. Having them removed later in life requires surgery and is not usually recommended.
I have seen whippet owners at lure trials wrap the feet of dogs that have dew claws to prevent injury rather than having them removed as an adult.
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Hey whatever happend to your friend's site? I used to love going to it and checking out her Dark Skies Basenjis!
You can find her blog at http://darkskiesbasenjis.blogspot.com
The old website is down semi-permamently, I think. But the blog is fun.
She's my sister.
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I tried trimming Joey's nail with a cutter and they just seem to split. I actually used my own emery board to smooth the edges. Does anyone have a recommendation for a dremel and who can teach me how to use it so Joey won't start running from me everytime he sees it in my hands!
Oh and equis8, please post a pic of your weim! There is a section for other pets. I use to have one and miss him!! Know about keeping ears clean!! -
Anytime I think of nail trimming I just cringe. I am too afraid that I will damage the nail. Dont want to cut too much off. Honestly I would rather have an experienced person do that. God forbid I cause damage.
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JoeyQ, I use an emery board on my dog's nails too. after I trim them I smooth out the rough edges. he actually LIKES the emery board too! sits patiently while I file - but he only "tolerates" the clippers.
Vanessa, I use to be scared too. But I only take just the TIP off, and I do it in very good light so I can actually SEE the quick. It also helps to have styptic powder on hand just incase. if you accidentally knick the quick, and it bleeds, put some styptic powder in the palm of your hand, and put the nail into it. this will stop the bleeding. don't make a fuss about it either, your calm energy is KEY to trimming nails successfully.
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JoeyQ, I use an emery board on my dog's nails too. after I trim them I smooth out the rough edges. he actually LIKES the emery board too! sits patiently while I file - but he only "tolerates" the clippers.
Vanessa, I use to be scared too. But I only take just the TIP off, and I do it in very good light so I can actually SEE the quick. It also helps to have styptic powder on hand just incase. if you accidentally knick the quick, and it bleeds, put some styptic powder in the palm of your hand, and put the nail into it. this will stop the bleeding. don't make a fuss about it either, your calm energy is KEY to trimming nails successfully.
Your right..energy is the Key and I will have to work on making it a fun experience for the pup and me. :o
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I am not a muzzle person, but I honestly wish I were when I go to cut Bella's nails because all she wants to do is bite me… (Luckily she is not growling or carrying on). I am determined to continue, even if it takes two of us to handle her. I am not really afraid of the cutting of the nails, I just hate that it is a negative experience to her. I am hoping that she will eventually learn to tolerate it better. :rolleyes:
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Hiya! I'm a new B owner and I have found this website very helpful. I've learned how to use the dremmel. I also found that the one I have I can put it on a very very low speed so as not to hurt them. I also figured that if they are chewing or eating something yummy while I do it they are much more compliant to letting me do their nails.
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/index.html
Also it helps if someone helps you…while you work with RIGHT FRONT paw someone else holds up their LEFT BACK paw. They are so distracted by trying to keep their balance they are very still enough for you to get their nails done quick & easy!!
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Jazzy lays on her back in my arms while I work on her nails with the Dremel. She used to fuss and wiggle a bit, until I started giving her a little liver treat after each foot!
Now she will sit for all four feet to be done and doesn't need a treat after.
She will wiggle a bit sometimes, but it's usually just to shift positions a little.It took me a while to get comfortable doing her nails. I used to just take off the very tip, then a day or so later do the same thing. Now I've figured out what angle I have to have the toe, I sit next to a lamp so I have optimum lighting. . . and {sigh} my new bifocals help me focus and now I can see the quick much more clearly.
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Hiya! I'm a new B owner and I have found this website very helpful. I've learned how to use the dremmel. I also found that the one I have I can put it on a very very low speed so as not to hurt them. I also figured that if they are chewing or eating something yummy while I do it they are much more compliant to letting me do their nails.
http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/index.html
Also it helps if someone helps you…while you work with RIGHT FRONT paw someone else holds up their LEFT BACK paw. They are so distracted by trying to keep their balance they are very still enough for you to get their nails done quick & easy!!
Thank you for the website! Thats exactly what I needed. I think I will give the dremmel a try. -
Yeah, thanks for the website! I so far have not had a problem trimming Joey's nails. He sits quite nicely for most of the time. He gets a little impatient as I am sure that it takes me much longer to trim than the breeder did. All in all, I am fortunate that it is a nonevent for Joey and soon will be for me I hope when I learn to do it better.
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This was so helpful I had allready gone out at got a dremmel and thought I had made a bad mistake, My B Solomon was Not going to allow that tool to be used on his toe's. Are at least without a fight, I gave up. I read the info on the use of the dremmel and it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the ideas.
Glenn -
You can get a cable to attach to most Dremel style tools that is maybe 3 feet long. It makes it easier to control and keeps the motor away from the work area. I find it much easier for projects around the house and I imagine it would be easier for nails, though I have never tried the Dremel on them.
I guess you could even get a shoe box and line it with insualtion and put the actual motor in there to make it even queter, though you could only do that for a couple of minutes due to overheating the tool.
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My dremel is a one-piece, hand-held battery operated thingie.
What motor are you talking about keeping away from the work area?
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I have two different types (well three really) of dremels-I have an electric with seven speeds that I do not use on the dogs-too powerful. I have a rechargeable that has a bigger wheel at the end and I have a battery operated one that has a smaller wheel. I also use sandpaper wraps on the wheels. I also groom other people's dogs and I have found once they get used to it they seem to be more at ease with it than clippers. I have had a few dogs with curled nails into the pads of their feet (actually had one last night that had been groomed by another groomer about 3 mos ago. They couldn't have done it's nails) and have had to dremel through the nail. I just find it sooooo much easier. Also with the rechargeable and the battery one I can take them with me on the field in case of problems (it has happened) and they don't make the really loud whining noise the electric do.
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I have this Dremel Tool, http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/tool-detail.htm?H=188091&G=66981&I=69673 and the flex shaft here http://www.dremel.com/en-us/attachments-and-accessories/attachment-accessory-detail.htm?H=188575&G=69659&I=66226 .
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Holy guacamole! That looks serious! LOL I'm not sure I'd be comfortable using that on a dog!
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Mine is the Oster Dremmel that has a very low setting that I use with sand paper NO STONES
