How do your pets handle you cutting their nails? [Archive]

View Full Version : How do your pets handle you cutting their nails?

kval07

10-01-2009, 06:42:08 PM

I finally got sick of taking Chester and Roscoe to get their nails cut at $20-25 a pop, twice a month. I read some reviews and bought some nail clippers at Petco. I really like them and they work great.

I have used them a few times on both dogs, and they are such wussies, I swear. I should know better because they whine and cry when anyone cuts their nails.

They both squirm and no amount of coaxing or bribing is working. I got about 8 of Chester's nails yesterday. Took about 15 minutes though. Roscoe I'm lucky if I can get two a day.

I play with their feet all the time and they willingly "shake" for treats, so they are no stranger to touchy feely time with their feet. I've also tried to cut their nails while they are sleeping, but that's a no go too.

What do you do to make this easier for your dogs? They are no stranger to nail clipping, and they've never had any boo boos before, so I don't know what the deal is. Those little buggers are on their way to having talons if I can't get their nails cut soon!

I've seen that calming/relaxing spray or whatever that junk is at the store. And normally I think that stuff is whack, but I'm seriously debating trying it just so I can do their nails, lol.

Any advice/help would be appreciated. Thanks!

navybrat

10-01-2009, 08:06:04 PM

Where are you trying to do their nails at Kval? That can make a BIG difference.

manders13

10-01-2009, 08:14:55 PM

I was told using clippers is harmful and your causing your animal pain. I use the pedi paw and LOVE it. I use it on all the cats and dogs, they no longer squirm or worm or anything, Prolly cuz they aren't in pain lol

happysoul

10-01-2009, 08:40:04 PM

we also got sick of paying to have out dog's nails trimmes. so we invested in a nail grinder
Oster Nail Grinder Kit - Grooming - Dog - PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752823)

That was after I got totally scarred by onw of my dogs that would not let us use a nail clipper. It's been totally worth it and with two dogs it paid for itself after the first trip they didn't have to take to the groomer.
This is the same tool your groomer probably uses.

navybrat

10-01-2009, 08:51:27 PM

Manders- Glad the pedi paws works for you! It's nice to have that smooth edge on the nail, especially if you have jumpers. But if you have good, sharp nail clippers you won't actually hurt your dog/cat by cutting the nails. (as long as you don't hit the quick of course) Some nail clippers you can actually have sharpened too so they don't have to be replaced. It's the pressure on the toe nail that I think someone was trying to tell you about causing discomfort.If they're sharp they go right through, no pressure. It's no worse than when you cut your own nails. The reason I asked Kval about where she does them is because if you get the dog out of it's element it's (usually) tons easier. Put them up on a table or the washer or counter and have someone hold their collar for you. Both my dad's and my brother's dogs have to be done on the coffee table. On the floor they are not do-able, but I put them up there and they stand like statues! That was one of the first things I learned when I first started grooming 14 yrs ago, get the dog out of it's element. No laps or floors or couches.Same goes for brushing, but that's a whole different topic :)

navybrat

10-01-2009, 08:57:35 PM

Oh, I forgot, I do also file the dogs nails at work. We cut them first then file the sharp edges away. We just have a cordless Dremmel from Walmart. The pedi paws uses batteries and we use it all the time so we'd go through tons of them, the Dremmel is rechargable.

gooseandmama

10-01-2009, 09:36:47 PM

:wavehi:

Hey,
With Italian Greyhounds, their hair is so short there's no buffer, like fat furry little paws, when they sit in your lap so keeping nails trimmed & SMOOTH is a must. The man I got both my boys from has always done all of his dogs nails with a dremmel (sp?)...you would think they would used to it. I got Angus when he was 7 mos & Jett at 9 mos. I have taken them to Petsmart & get them done for $10 each. A friend at work gave me her pedipaws, she's got several big dogs & not one would sit still to let her do their nails...they all acted like a bunch of babies. So, I thought, this will be great, no more going out to petsmart for this, I'm going to save so much money...HA!! They acted like a couple of sissies, pulling their little skinny legs away, whining like they are dying & hiding under the bed, running for the back door like they gotta go. I even tried having DH hold while I tried to file....in the end, it was just too much trouble...so here we go back to petsmart to get nails done. They practically hand their little paws over to the girls at petsmart....I think they like to flirt because they are the only IGs that go in there & they all make such a fuss over them.

4730 4732
Angus :dog77: Jett :dog3:

I haven't ever tried any of the calming sprays, I hope one day I'll be able...maybe if I get the teenage daughters friend to come over so they can flirt while I try to do nails, Jett loves her! (I think there's a light bulb hanging over my head right now :BlueLight:!)

manders13

10-01-2009, 09:42:17 PM

I guess i should have added... I use rechargable batteries in the pedi paw. Having 52 paws to trim atleast once a month did kill the batteries supply lol.

navybrat

10-01-2009, 09:44:12 PM

Awww... they're adorable!!! IG are such sweet little things, I've never had a problem with any I've come across. They all just want to cuddle! (then again maybe they were just cold, lol!)

meggers

10-01-2009, 10:21:02 PM

I use the pedi paw too, Krystle. I know that some people hate it, but once I got the knack of it, it's really nice. You do have to be careful about hitting their nails at the wrong angle with it though or it makes them even more scared of it.

I have one dog that isn't scared of anything except dog #2. And the other dog is scared of everything except dog #1. Lucy, the wuss, will let me use the pedi paw, but I have to get her in position & make her stay & stay & stay... It's an ordeal, but it beats clippers by a long shot.

Couponlover24

10-02-2009, 04:22:44 AM

My dog is a little baby. I have a little pug and take her to get her little nails done. I am very excited becassue they are opening a dog gromming place 2 doors down from where I work. So I will start taking her there and giving them my business.

kval07

10-02-2009, 04:31:23 AM

I have a Pedi Paws. I asked for one for Christmas last year and Chester hates it. I guess I could bust it out and try again.

I have been cutting their nails while sitting on the couch, because holding them is a chore to do while standing up. Perhaps I will try this on a table and see how it goes. They act like I'm killing them when I cut their nails. They are such babies. When I cut though, I can tell that the clippers I have are good one.

kawakii

10-28-2009, 03:13:31 AM

LOL, both our puggles go to the groomers for nails--they are much quicker then i would be and my two HATE it, squirm, bark, growl, etc ...I have been told it's the pug in them. So, it worth it for 10.00 for both to have someone else do it and save myself from being barked at, and scratched up. The clip and dremmel smooth.

beth119

10-28-2009, 04:01:42 AM

I can use the pedi paw with Pooches. She is pretty mellow.

As for Precious, my FIL comes over and does hers with the doggie clippers. He worked for animal control for YEARS, so I trust him so much more than myself. (I'm a chicken.)

jwahlton

10-28-2009, 06:49:25 AM

I cut Newman's paws on the couch, one paw at a time using manual clippers. He'd freak out with the pedi paws!

Kristen.C

10-28-2009, 08:20:03 AM

I cut Tucker's nails with a good set of clippers we got from Petco. We used to have a hard time doing it ourselves, but the groomer there gave us a lot of tips and getting a new set of high-quality clippers was one of them. He used to jerk his nails away but with these, he doesn't seem to mind so much. She also said she preferred to get behind the dogs to clip the nails (LOL!) as the angle is best and puts less pressure on the nails. I can't really swing that, so I usually have Tucker lay on the floor with his paws up and that helps me see the quick and get a good hold on the nails. We use the pedi paw to smooth away the rough edges.

I would definitely suggest having the vet or a good groomer help you out, that's really the only thing that worked for us. Good luck!

ocean_brez

11-03-2009, 10:44:20 AM

This is a great thread. I was thinking about posting a question about trimming and possibly buying the pedi-paw (they are down to $9.99 :biggrin: ), but now I see some of my answers already answered here. Yeah! BTW, I know what you mean by wuss pets, my big and little dog are total wusses and my kitten is a freak when it comes to cutting their nails! LOL! :giggle2:

Sculpture Widow

11-03-2009, 10:50:57 AM

I worked at an awesome boarding kennel for several years. The owner was also a groomer and treated all the dogs with AMAZING care. To avoid cutting any dogs when trimming nails, she actually started using a small dremel tool (like a motorized emery/filing board). If you can get your animal used to the sound of the tool (which is really not too bad for the small hand-held tool), you can "file" the nail down to the desired length. no more cuts or bleeding!!!! and FAST.

kval07

11-03-2009, 07:33:55 PM

ocean_brez

11-03-2009, 11:20:57 PM

I posted in the Petco thread that they are selling the Pedi Paws online for $2.99. If you lived near me, I'd just give you mine, lol.
Thanks for reminding me about the Petco thread. I totally forgot about it as well as the Petsmart thread. DUH! LOL! So many fun threads, so little time to read them all. :giggle2:

queenofthehivemomof5

11-03-2009, 11:30:26 PM

We have had good success with the pedi-paw for maintenance. However if they get too long I take them to the vet where they clip their nails for $5.00. Holly our Sheltie's nails don't get long at all but for some reason our rat terrier ShayShay's are bad, they grow like weeds.

kval07

11-04-2009, 05:32:35 AM

Linzrenee

11-04-2009, 06:30:32 AM

I have a chihuahua Jasmine and I got the Pedi-paw for her and it was WAY too big for her little nails. She is only 4 lbs. So I am staying with the clippers. I can use people clipper on her anyway.

aurorahorse

11-12-2009, 11:19:25 PM

I kept putting off my dog's, because her nails are black, but I finally did it. She just put her head in my lap...it was so cute. :) That was soo easy!

For the others, have you tried treats that they only get when their nails are clipped? I do that for baths. I can call Lizzie, and she'll follow me upstairs into the bathroom and let me shut the door easily, all for a hot dog....and she knows fully well that a hot dog = a bath, because that's the only time she gets something like that. :BigHand:

silefer

12-01-2009, 03:19:12 PM

i have used clippers and pedi paws on my Beagle and he just sists there , the first couple nails he squirms but after that he is fine and just lays there lol , now my Boxer is another story he hates it luckily he does not grow nails as fast as my Beagle does.

mainelycoupons

12-01-2009, 06:13:40 PM

My groomer charges $8 per dog, but we know her and I've never had a huge issue with my dogs getting their nails trimmed. I start as soon as they get home and settled. Before they grow to elephants. :wink7:

I've used the guillotine type, the scissors type, and the dremmel. Never bought a pedipaws. I prefer to be able to see the nail, not have it in a plastic box. :giggle2:

Standing them up on a table can work well, as does having someone hold them. A BIG part of the issue is they know you are nervous. Even if its just a teeny bit they know and take advantage. I've quicked my youngest a couple times (usually followed by a trip to the groomer for the next trim) and he still stands just fine. You can't freak out and let them know you're sweating it. A tub of qwik stop will fix that (or even cornstarch if need be). And some biscuits for being a good doggie.

Mitchell

12-01-2009, 06:26:53 PM

I have cats. I sit on them and do it quickly. Once they are used to it, they aren't so frantic about it - always always give them treats afterward, even if they nip you or you only get one nail done before they freak out, so they associate the experience with something positive.

jenj713

03-06-2010, 07:34:09 PM

I got the pedi-paw but can't get it to work for the life of me. Any tips? I would love any help I could get. Thanks!!!

kval07

03-06-2010, 08:32:23 PM

My dogs hate it. I got $5 out of it and sold it on Craigslist. Are you using it solely for nail cutting purposes, or are you using it after you have already clipped your dogs nails, just to smooth edges and such?

jenj713

03-07-2010, 01:33:20 PM

I was using it to trim the nail. My dog has always been kind of skittish so I'm sure it'll probably be better off for her to continue taking her to PetCo for the nail trims and follow your lead and sell my pedi paws :)

marinersfan

04-20-2010, 03:15:20 PM

We use a dremel tool on one of our dogs and she doesn't mind it a bit. The other dog, well, she's a wuss and we have to take her to the vet to get her nails trimmed.

alissagiadagreen

04-20-2010, 11:26:44 PM

Thanx for th info

KTLew

04-21-2010, 05:53:02 AM

I have to say...I have two dogs...one mini dachshund (3.5 years) and a german shepard/black lab mix (10 years). Since we have had the mini doxie we have always just put her on our lap on her back and she just sits with her paws up and our older dog, my husband has her lie down and he just rolls her over. We have started with our dogs and trimming their nails since they were puppies. They are used to it. We tried the Pedi Paws and especially with our little one (who is afraid of power tools), it just didn't do the same job...they would squirm. You can always try giving the dog praise after each paw until he/she gets used to it...