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Interesting thread. I didn't use to think we had a problem with nails, as they always seemed to keep fairly near the quick by regular road walking. When I bumped into Lilah Bond Gunning at the VDCC I got a good ticking off when she saw his nails and said they were too long. She said they need to be kept very short as this actually makes the quick recede somewhat, making the nails shorter over time and thus less likely to get caught and result in toe injuries. Having now suffered a broken/dislocated toe, I now wonder if she was right.

We use a clippers then file them gently to get them as short as possible without cutting the quick.
 
OOooo I'm all ashamed of myself :( I'm afraid i've been too much of a wuss to attempt Dij's nails. over winter it was fine as the road walking kept them short - but now spring is here his they are growing a lot faster (like mine in fact!) So, thanks everyone for spurring me into action, although i am going to ask my vet nurse friend to help as i'm still feeling a bit cowardly.

Luckily, she's just moved in next door with my partner (in a housemate, rather than place-booked-on-ricky-lake kinda way!) so i should be able to tempt her round with a cuppa

i like the dremmelling idea, but don't have one - guess i'll have to add it to my list of things i need to buy
 
urchin said:
OOooo I'm all ashamed of myself  :(   I'm afraid i've been too much of a wuss to attempt  Dij's nails. over winter it was fine as the road walking kept them short - but now spring is here his they are growing a lot faster (like mine in fact!) So, thanks everyone for spurring me into action, although i am going to ask my vet nurse friend to help as i'm still feeling a bit cowardly.Luckily, she's just moved in next door with my partner (in a housemate, rather than place-booked-on-ricky-lake kinda way!) so i should be able to tempt her round with a cuppa

i like the dremmelling idea, but don't have one - guess i'll have to add it to my list of things i need to buy

Click to expand...
http://www.tool-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Dremel_Tools.html#a355

Try here. I have one of these. They're battery and so easy to hold and use. Quiet too. Dogs don't mind it at all.
 
urchin said:
OOooo I'm all ashamed of myself  :(   I'm afraid i've been too much of a wuss to attempt  Dij's nails. over winter it was fine as the road walking kept them short - but now spring is here his they are growing a lot faster (like mine in fact!) So, thanks everyone for spurring me into action, although i am going to ask my vet nurse friend to help as i'm still feeling a bit cowardly.Luckily, she's just moved in next door with my partner (in a housemate, rather than place-booked-on-ricky-lake kinda way!) so i should be able to tempt her round with a cuppa

i like the dremmelling idea, but don't have one - guess i'll have to add it to my list of things i need to buy

www.tool-shop.co.uk

Try here. I have one of these. They're battery and so easy to hold and use. Quiet too. Dogs don't mind it at all. You need to look for

Dremel 760-01 Golf Cleaning Kit Cordless (also used for pet nails)
Click to expand...
 
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ROSIE MEADOWS said:
urchin said:
OOooo I'm all ashamed of myself  :(   I'm afraid i've been too much of a wuss to attempt  Dij's nails. over winter it was fine as the road walking kept them short - but now spring is here his they are growing a lot faster (like mine in fact!) So, thanks everyone for spurring me into action, although i am going to ask my vet nurse friend to help as i'm still feeling a bit cowardly.Luckily, she's just moved in next door with my partner (in a housemate, rather than place-booked-on-ricky-lake kinda way!) so i should be able to tempt her round with a cuppa

i like the dremmelling idea, but don't have one - guess i'll have to add it to my list of things i need to buy

www.tool-shop.co.uk

Try here. I have one of these. They're battery and so easy to hold and use. Quiet too. Dogs don't mind it at all. You need to look for

Dremel 760-01 Golf Cleaning Kit Cordless (also used for pet nails)

Click to expand...
Sorry try this link http://www.tool-shop.co.uk

http://www.tool-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Dremel_top.html
Click to expand...
 
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Thanks for that link Rosie, although I have a mains one it is sometimes a pain getting the dogs who don't like their nails done out to the Utility Room and onto the grooming table so a battery one would be ideal and I can let OH borrow it to do his golf clubs!!!

Hmmmmmmmmm, even better idea, I have a birthday coming up so he can buy us a joint pressie!! LOL!!
 
Great idea :D I've just ordered one :thumbsup:
 
I just noticed this discussion and haven't had time to read it all

don't think I'll be going in for dremmel, peroxide and so on

I'm okay with a guillotine-style clippers if the dog will stay still

I have an 18 month old whippet whose nails have never been clipped; I tried a few times but he squirmed too much.

his front nails are like Josie's, I think his back nails are shorter and okay

the vet said all the dog's nails were okay but I prevailed on him to try to trim the front ones with me holding the dog and he only managed to clip one because I couldn't keep my hound still enough

I can play with my dog's feet, handle each toe individually, but as soon as the clipper appears squirms uncontrollably

I tried a file and also got nowhere

any advice?
 
Macha said:
I just noticed this discussion and haven't had time to read it alldon't think I'll be going in for dremmel, peroxide and so on

I'm okay with a guillotine-style clippers if the dog will stay still

I have an 18 month old whippet whose nails have never been clipped; I tried a few times but he squirmed too much.

his front nails are like Josie's, I think his back nails are shorter and okay

the vet said all the dog's nails were okay but I prevailed on him to try to trim the front ones with me holding the dog and he only managed to clip one because I couldn't keep my hound still enough

I can play with my dog's feet, handle each toe individually, but as soon as the clipper appears squirms uncontrollably

I tried a file and also got nowhere

any advice?

Click to expand...
Guilloltine clippers are the most painful type of clippers for dogs. They squeeze the quick and HURT! If you're going to use clippers you need a SHARP pair of scissor style ones. EMPHASIS on SHARP. Friend of mine bought some Mikki ones the other day and after two toes I threw them out. They were horrible and hurt her whippet terribly.

Honestly and truly I recommend the dremel. Savannah was terrified of it, but over a copule of months we conditioned her to it, and now they all are good enough that I can do them by myself. I often do a quick clip first then dremel, but they are still good enough I can do it on my own.

The website for dremel instructions is: http://www.doberdawn.com then look down the left menu for 'How to Dremel a Dog's Nails'. Have a read of that before you completely throw it out.

I bought a cheap one first - £10 cordless to try out, and after about 6 months it burned out, but because I knew by that time the dogs were good with it I didn't mind investing in a much more expensive one, and believe me I've had my money's worth out of it.

Wendy
 
It is frightening at first. If you look at the toenail you will see the veing inside. If you leave a small amount first before cutting it works fine. I am always cautious about the amount I cut.

My older whippets nails need trimming fortnightly as he does not wear them down at all. Generally he is good about this. The little one as tickly feet and wriggles so I have to staddle him to keep him still whilst I cut. I have only the front ones to do on him as he wears the back ones down himself.

I have found my vets to be quite good with toenails and many will actually show you what to do it you ask.

Regards

Jackie

Kim and Tilly said:
[SIZE=14pt]I think Tillys toe nails need clipping, but im to scared and i have heard on here that the vets dont know how to do it. :- " [/SIZE] 

What do i do?? where do i go?? woulf one of those pet grooming places know how to do it??  :unsure:

 

I dont want to cut to much off or anything  :b

Click to expand...
 
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chelynnah said:
Macha said:
I just noticed this discussion and haven't had time to read it alldon't think I'll be going in for dremmel, peroxide and so on

I'm okay with a guillotine-style clippers if the dog will stay still

I have an 18 month old whippet whose nails have never been clipped; I tried a few times but he squirmed too much.

his front nails are like Josie's, I think his back nails are shorter and okay

the vet said all the dog's nails were okay but I prevailed on him to try to trim the front ones with me holding the dog and he only managed to clip one because I couldn't keep my hound still enough

I can play with my dog's feet, handle each toe individually, but as soon as the clipper appears squirms uncontrollably

I tried a file and also got nowhere

any advice?

Click to expand...
Guilloltine clippers are the most painful type of clippers for dogs. They squeeze the quick and HURT! If you're going to use clippers you need a SHARP pair of scissor style ones. EMPHASIS on SHARP. Friend of mine bought some Mikki ones the other day and after two toes I threw them out. They were horrible and hurt her whippet terribly.

Honestly and truly I recommend the dremel. Savannah was terrified of it, but over a copule of months we conditioned her to it, and now they all are good enough that I can do them by myself. I often do a quick clip first then dremel, but they are still good enough I can do it on my own.

The website for dremel instructions is: http://www.doberdawn.com then look down the left menu for 'How to Dremel a Dog's Nails'. Have a read of that before you completely throw it out.

I bought a cheap one first - £10 cordless to try out, and after about 6 months it burned out, but because I knew by that time the dogs were good with it I didn't mind investing in a much more expensive one, and believe me I've had my money's worth out of it.

Wendy

Click to expand...
Thanks for the link wendy we are about to get a dremmel one of ours hates having her nails done :thumbsup:
 
Everyone hates cutting nails. At most race meetings I get someone asking me to cut their dogs nails for them :)) Its just a matter of confidence though. You've got to start them off as very young puppies. They need them cutting when they are suckling anyway as they scratch the poor mothers stomach. I clip ours every 1-2 weeks using pliar type clippers and finish off with a dremel.
 
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Would someone please volunteer to do Daisy's, I've just spent an hour trying to do her nails but she struggles so much its impossible. She lets me touch her feet but get the clippers within 2 feet of her and she gone. They are getting really long and it cant be comfortable for her. I managed 1 nail last night. Is there a sedative I can use? Maybe I should try at the vets or a groomer. I am tearing my hair out and she just gives me the big eyed look. Help

PS I have done Betsys and Morrisseys so its not as if I am scared to do nails they all have lovely white easy ones :b
 
I have a theory about whippets nails. I dont think they're like 'normal' dogs nails. I agree that they shouldn't be too long & they should easily clear the floor. But, I think they grow outwards & then curve down rather than heading south (growing downwards) as soon as they come out of the toe like other dogs nails. I think they are meant to be slightly longer so they act like running spikes. I do regularly clip my whippets nails & they've never had an injury due to overlong nails, but I saw a whippet the other day that for the first time ever I thought it's nails were too short!!

Linda
 
I'll give it a go if you want, next time I see you Louise. No promises though :b
 
Just noticed this fab topic and read all the excellent advice (another busy day at work :- " ) I also don't enjoy clipping nails but have got better over time and although I get some squirming I find if I'm patient but persistent she'll settle down and accepts it.

Anyway, the main reason for adding to this topic is that by accident recently I discovered a way to make clipping easier - wait until they've been out playing in the wet grass so the nails are slightly softened, like your mum used to do with your toe nails when you were a baby :p :lol: This reduces the snap and click as the tip comes off which is what my whip never likes even when I'm nowhere near the quick. It's made a big difference to our manicures and we're both more relaxed about it :cheers:
 
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