[nagdu] Nail clippers.

Julie J. julielj at neb.rr.com
Sat Mar 22 16:34:40 UTC 2014 

Most dog nail clippers, at least the ones I've used, have a metal piece that 
slides alongside the cutting blades.  It keeps you from pushing the nail too 
far through the cutting area and cutting too much off.  Except if you use 
it, you can't feel where the nail is or how it's positioned.  I prefer not 
to use the guard in favor of knowing exactly what is where.

My best advice would be to go to a pet store, look at what they have and ask 
questions of the sales person.  They can show you how the various models 
work.  There are different styles of clippers.

And I think I might be over my daily limit on messages.  So I'll be sad that 
I can't talk to you guys anymore and go clean my house or something! *smile*

Julie


-----Original Message----- 
From: starmy22 at gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2014 10:13 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Nail clippers.

Hi,
I have a question: when you say nail clippers that have guards, what do you
mean by that?
I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
John Sanders


-----Original Message----- 
From: Julie J.
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2014 9:30 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Nail clippers.

Jeff,

If you are using clippers, the first thing is to find a pair that fit your
hand and feel comfortable to use.  They also need to be the right size for
your dog.  The folks at the pet store can help with this.  Flimsy clippers
will make the task difficult.  Don't skimp.

My dogs prefer to stand when I'm trimming, especially Belle.  I don't mind
because they stand still, so that's what we do.  Other people have the dog
sit or lay down and the person sits on the floor.  Whatever works.  I don't
think it matters much.

I hold the dogs paw in my left hand, separating out the nail to be clipped
with my thumb and pointer finger.  I hold the clippers in my right hand.  I
place the nail to be clipped in the hole of the clippers where the blades
are.  I use the pointer finger of my right hand to feel how much nail is
sticking out on the other side of the blades, so I know how much I'm going
to cut.  My technique is to cut a tiny bit, maybe a couple of millimeters.
I repeat small cuts until the nail is to the length I want.  I've also
noticed when you cut off just the very tip, the exposed inside of the nail
will feel flat.  Then as you get close to the quick it feels like there is
an indent in the center of the nail.   I've just recently noticed this, so
I'm not sure if it's just Belle's nails or if this is something in common to
all dogs.

Usually as the nails grow out they get this little hook or curve to the tip.
that's another indicator of how much to take off.  Also when the dog is
standing the nails shouldn't press into the floor.  They should be at floor
level or just a tiny bit above it.

Interestingly, sighted people can only see the quick when the nails are
light colored.  the quick isn't visible in black nails.  There is a powder
you can buy that will stop the bleeding if you snip too short.  It's the
same stuff guys use if they nick themselves shaving...styptic pencil, not
sure of the spelling.  If you have one of these laying around, if will work
just the same as the stuff they sell for dogs.

If you are trimming nails every 3 weeks, you won't need to take off very
much at all.  Most guide dogs will wear down their nails just through normal
wear and tear.  I just trimmed both Belle's and Monty's nails this morning.
Monty, my working guide, only needed a tiny bit off the front feet.  I
haven't trimmed his nails since probably last fall.  I'm not sure if I've
ever had to trim his back feet.  Guide dogs use their back legs more to push
into the harness, so those nails typically wear down faster.

Maybe you could stay with your dog when his nails are being trimmed next
time.  Check out the nail before it's clipped and then right after so you
can see how much is being taken off.   That might help you be more
comfortable doing it yourself.

Best of luck!
Julie


-----Original Message----- 
From: jeff crouch- k8tvv
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 12:24 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Nail clippers.

hi:
I've not hurd of such thing, my question is how do you cut the nails
with out hitting the quick. It would be nice to cut my ben's nails
with out paying 20 dollars every three weeks.

thanks

On 3/20/14, Vivianna <irishana at gmail.com> wrote:
> hi all,
> someone told me that there was a dog nail clipper where, you can set a 
> gauge
> to a specific measurement and there is a guard so that you only clip off
> that amount.  i went looking for such a thing and can't seem to find it
> anywhere.
> have any of you ever heard of or used such a clipper?  and, if so, how do
> you like it?
> i just use the plain old fashioned type but, it would be neat to clip them
> all exactly the same amount.
> thanks for any input.
>
> Vivianna
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/kd8qiq%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Skype: magic2127
FB: apdc19 at gmail.com
http://www.twitter.com/k8tvv
73
K8TVV
Jeff Crouch

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com


-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3722/6728 - Release Date: 03/21/14


_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/starmy22%40gmail.com


_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.com


-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3722/6731 - Release Date: 03/22/14

More information about the NAGDU mailing list