[nagdu] Re product reviews: nail trimmers

Fri Sep 3 12:14:33 UTC 2010

In case it's helpful, this is what I did to get Ben to accept the Dremel.
I give him a kibble when he lies down when I have the Dremel in my hand. 
I give him a kibble for each paw when it's done, plus another for flipping
over when I tell him to, and 5 or 6 more when we're finished.  I started
this from the beginning, and now he runs over and flops down as soon as he
sees me pick up the Dremel.  If I'm trying to do Echo instead, Ben circles
around like a kibble-hunting shark.
I don't switch to a new nail when the current one gets hot; I just move
the grinder away for a second.  So it's a second or two on the nail, then
a second or two off.
I like to have the dog lie down on his side, because then I can get a firm
grip on the paw and make sure everything is positioned the way I want.  I
do one side, then get the dog to roll over to the other side.

Ben is a calm guy, and has never made a fuss about it.  But I know other
dogs can be very anxious about having someone mess with their feet.  It
must hurt a lot to clip the quick, and I guess they don't want it to
happen again.
Which is why I like the Dremel so much; I've never hurt the dog.
Good luck.
Tracy

> Thank you for providing this information- I have a dremmel tool I've been
> afraid to use. Given Abby's indestructible nails, I am also weary of
> paying
> frequently for the vet to clip them at a minimum of once a month. Based on
> these tips, I will start tonight, letting the motor  run while Abby gets
> treats and try to proceed from that point. Her vet will get a chance to
> advise me this weekend also.
> Thanks much!
>
> Cathryn (& Abby)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Katrin Andberg
> Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 5:30 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Re product reviews: nail trimmers
>
> How did those of you who use grinders get your dogs to tolerate these
>
> instruments?  Weren't they afraid of the motor?  Is there any risk of
> injury
>
>
> to fingers or paws?
>
>
>
> 1.  I introduced my dogs to the grinder 1st by just letting it run while
> they were eating dinner or breakfast.  None of my guys bothered about the
> noise due to that it seems.  High value meal time with the motor running
> they said "No problem-o!"  The great thing about a grinder is that if you
> get too close to the quick most grinders will self cauterize, so no blood!
> Plus as you get closer to the quick most dogs will start to pull their
> toes
> back, so you can feel from the dog's reaction if you are getting to close.
> The only danger to me I have found is when I miss the nail and sand down
> my
> thumb!  I have had some pretty good grinds in my own finger nails due to
> this!  But really those don't hurt just feel kinda funny and look a little
> odd.
>
>
>
> How did you introduce the grinder to your dog?
>
>
>
> 2.  I started with putting them on a table.  I have a grooming table but
> putting them up on top of a vari-kennel dog crate or other raised solid
> surface works fine as well.  I find if they are up higher 1. It doesn't
> hurt
> my back so much to bend over and 2. The dog's don't fuss and squirm as
> much.
> Then I 1st get them used to having their feet handled while they stand
> still.  So I will pick up a paw, stay "stand, stay" and give them a treat.
> I practice this long before I bring any nail trimmer or grinder into the
> picture, so that when I finally do 1st intro the grinder or hand held
> clippers, the dog is used to standing still and having his feet picked up
> and handled.  Once the dog is good with that, usually if I have a puppy or
> fearful dog I will start with another person to feed my dog really good
> cookies while I grind the nails or I have been known to smear some peanut
> butter on the wall for the dog to lick off.  That one works really well if
> you live alone!  I just pick up the foot same as I have practiced with the
> dog, I hold it with the palm of my hand under the pads of the dog's foot
> and
> my fingers out towards the dog's nails.  Then with my thumb usually (which
> is on the top of the nail, my other fingers are on the undersides of the
> nails) I extend 1 nail and with my opposite hand that is holding the
> grinder, I press the grinder turned on to the tip of the nail and with a
> back and forth motion going from top of the nail to the bottom I grind the
> nails down while the dog gets cookies for being good.  If your dog has
> issue
> I would recommend just doing a little of 1 nail every day until they get
> really used to it.  Some dogs will never be "comfortable with it" but they
> can learn to tolerate it.
>
>
>
> How do you know how much nail to grind at any one time?  How do you get a
>
> uniform length (I don't want to disrupt Alvin's balance by throwing off
> the
>
> weight distribution of his foot).
>
>
>
> 3.  I don't really worry about uniform length, I just grind until I feel
> the
> toe retract and then I know I'm getting close to the quick.
>
>
>
> How often do you trim?
>
>
>
> 4.  About once every 1-2 weeks for dogs that I can do all 4 feet in 1
> setting.  Every day if I am teaching a dog to tolerate it or he'll only
> let
> me do 1 nail a day.
>
>
>
> What's the best technique?
>
>
>
> 5.  see above
>
>
>
> Is it best to start with a less powerful grinder, say the Pedi-Paws, and
>
> then graduate to something more powerful?
>
>
>
> 6.  I have never used a Pedi-Paws, I have been using a Demel rotary corded
> sander for years, long before Pedi-Paws were invented.  I have never had a
> problem with the stronger tool.  And plus it's useful around the house for
> other projects too!
>
>
>
> Is diet a factor in nail growth?  Do grain-free diets produce a nail that
>
> yields more pliantly to the pavement?
>
>
>
> 7.  Not that I have found.  It depends on foot conformation.  James I used
> to rarely have to grind his nails when he was working.  Now that he's
> retired I have to do them once a week!
>
>
>
> Hope that helps!
>
>
>
> Katrin
>
>
>
> Katrin Andberg
>
>  <mailto:katrin at maplewooddog.com> katrin at maplewooddog.com
>
>
>
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