[nagdu] nail trimming was Worlds best pet store + dog grooming = wicked amazing!

Wed Feb 22 14:31:59 UTC 2012

John,

Welcome to the list!  I'm thinking you are new.  If my memory is 
incorrect please excuse my error.

Nails...how to leave them is a bit of an art.  If you've had them 
clipped at a vet or a groomer or from the guide dog school, you can use 
that as a reference for how long they should be.  Generally speaking the 
nails should not touch the floor when the dog is standing in a relaxed 
posture on a flat surface.  If you hear a lot of nails clicking on the 
floor when the dog walks, that is probably also an indication that they 
are too long.  Some dogs though will click their nails on the floor just 
because of the way they move their feet when walking.

I generally take off a very small amount and trim more frequently.  The 
exact amount is difficult to say...I'll take a guess and say 2 or 3 
millimeters maybe?  It also depends on the particular dog.  My current 
working guide Monty doesn't need his nails clipped very often.  I could 
probably get away with trimming them two or three times a year.  He's 
very active and is probably wearing them down himself.  I do run the 
PediPaws over his nails every few weeks, just so he remembers to behave 
himself.  I'm taking off a miniscule amount though.

With my older dog, I trim maybe every 2 to 4 weeks.  More in the winter 
because snow doesn't wear down the nails as much as cement does!  Her 
nails also seem to grow faster than my younger dog.  I used to trim her 
nails weekly when she was younger.

HTH
Julie

On 2/21/2012 6:33 PM, John Vickers wrote:
> I was wanting to know how long do you leav them; and how do you know when to stop cutting. John Vickers
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> On Mon, Feb 20, 2012 10:50 AM PST Hannah Chadwick wrote:
>
>> Thank you Julie. I'll definitely look in to it :)
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
>> Of Julie J.
>> Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 9:45 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] nail trimming was Worlds best pet store + dog grooming
>> = wicked amazing!
>>
>> Hannah,
>>
>> I use two different tools, a traditional nail trimmer and the PediPaws nail
>> grinder.
>>
>> First the traditional nail clippers.  I've tried several
>> brands/quality/styles.  I'd highly recommend spending the money for some
>> really good clippers.  The cheap ones either won't work at all or will
>> crush and splinter the nail.   I think the kind I'm using right now cost
>> around $15 and should last at least for the next 10 years.  You can usually
>> buy replacement blades for the more high quality clippers, but by the time I
>> need a replacement blade, I've forgotten what brand I have or where I got
>> them.
>>
>> Anyhow, the way I trim nails is to position the nail in the hole made by the
>> open clipper blades.  I use a finger on the tip of the nail to check how
>> much is poking through, which is how much will be trimmed off.  I generally
>> go a tiny bit at a time, preferring to make repeat cuts if necessary rather
>> than risking taking off too much.  I have trimmed too short before.
>>
>> The second method is some sort of grinder.  Several people on this list use
>> grinders.  Tracy comes to mind.  she has a much more powerful grinder and
>> can get the job done very quickly.  I have the PediPaws.  It
>> does eventually get the job done, but you have to be patient.   With a
>> grinder you basically rub or swipe the end of the nail to take off the
>> desired amount of material.
>>
>> Different people prefer different methods as do the dogs.  the nail grinder
>> makes a bit of noise and will vibrate the nail.  I used a bit of hot dog to
>> get both of my dogs used to this.  I don't think it's their
>> favorite thing in the world, but they don't fuss either.   I find the
>> traditional clippers faster, but they require more skill and they leave
>> a sharp edge.   Belle doesn't mind the regular clippers so much.  I tend
>> to use them more when I can immediately take her for a walk on cement, which
>> wears off the sharp edges.
>>
>> HTH
>> Julie
>>
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