trimming nails??

[woobies mom]

Does anyone have any tips, tricks, advice on successfully trimming their Boxer's nails? Sugar acts like she is being drawn and quartered when we try to trim her nails. I've trimmed them since she was tiny. She was easy to handle then, so it was not a problem. However, since she's grown and is so strong, it's very difficult to get done now. Her nails are long right now, and I am dreading cutting them. It takes two of us...my husband holds her and I do the trimming. We have never cut into the quick or made her bleed, but she acts like we've amputated several of her toes already! LOL Thanks everyone!

Suzanne and Sugar - 4/1/06, brindle baby girl, floppy, docked and happy!

 

[Biff]

We've never had to trim Biff's nails. Our back garden is all monoblocked, and he runs about so much there that he gets a manicure at the same time!

We have my DD's 2 dogs at the moment, though, while she is on holiday, and I was just saying to DH that their nails need trimmed. The "pitter pitter patter" they make as they move around our tiled kitchen is most annoying.

So i'm hoping you get some good tips here for me to pick up on

 

[cantfindlog]

Molly is very difficult with nail cutting, she too acts like her foot will be cut off. I also was able to trim when she was a pup, but as she grew older it was out of the question. I would try to hold her down, or put a muzzle on her and it just wasn't worth it. I take her to the vet now. I let the tech take her and I wait out in the waiting room and it is all over in five minutes and it is worth the $12.00 that I pay. I also don't have to worry about cutting her.

 

[paysmom]

IMO- the dremel is the only way to go.

 

[rrrmarie]

Is it possible to take Sugar out for a daily walk or run on a sidewalk or blacktop? That should definitely help with trimming nails.

 

[northernboxr]

Is it worth trying to bribe with food? We used to give the pittmix some peanut butter or cheese while we did the nails - he'd put up with almost anything for some cheese!

Yup- I used food to help Riker relax about the whole process. I started with letting him sniff the clippers ... gob of peanut butter, held his paw and tapped his nails.... gob of pb... I took a few days doing this one until he didn't care that I was doing it.

It is very important to RELAX when you are cutting the dog's nails. If you are nervous then they will think they have a good reason to be afraid. Just be laid back- maybe only cut one or two nails a day. There is no need to cut them all at once. I now have to use normal treats instead of peanut butter because Riker gets too excited about the pb and won't sit still.

Oh- and make sure your dog has a nice long run before you try any of the above. Sleepy dogs are much better for their manicures.

Finally, I take him out for a spin with his laser pointer on the concrete- files them very nicely!

 

[Gruntsmom]

It might be worth it to go for a nail trim at the vet's or a grooming place, since Sugar's nails are so long. Once they are short, try working with her a few minutes every day, reintroducing the clippers or a Dremel tool, and then gradually touching the tool to her nails, and then doing the clipping motion, etc - just a little at a time. Tiny treats help! It took several months of consistent work with Grunt who went from a tangle of legs and violent squirming to a very willing guy, who when he sees the Dremel come out, saunters over to me, plops himself in my lap and falls asleep while I do his nails!! Good luck!

 

[woobies mom]

Thanks everyone for the great tips and advice. We have been bribing her with food while I'm trying to trim those nails. So far, bacon works best. I like the Dremel idea, too, if she'll stand for it. The laser light in the driveway is an excellent idea! She's crazy about that laser light! If all else fails, there's always the groomer or vet. Thanks again!

Suzanne and Sugar - 4/1/06, brindle baby girl, floppy, docked and happy!

 

[northernboxr]

It took several months of consistent work with Grunt who went from a tangle of legs and violent squirming to a very willing guy, who when he sees the Dremel come out, saunters over to me, plops himself in my lap and falls asleep while I do his nails!! Good luck!

Well done!!! My pup isn't nearly that good. He pretty much allows me to take a paw and seems to cringe in a way that says, "Just get it over with and give me my peanut butter, you cruel woman!"

Good for you and Grunt to get so good at it!