Pawfect Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 Hi- I had a quick search & couldn't find the answer to this question so I thought you may be able to help me out! I have the scissor style dog nail clippers with a green handle & curved blade (looks like a guillotine, but in scissor form). As I hold my dog's nail I've been cutting from bottom to top/top to bottom of the nail, but this seems to twist her nail as I cut. Should I be cutting the nails from side to side instead? She has an absolute fear of having her nails cut (had to get a nail ripped out by the vet once), so I want to do it as quickly & pain free as possible. She's a real struggler & no amount of bribing has helped her get over her fear. I'm almost tempted to sedate her to do it TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 top to bottom, otherwise the nail gets squeezed.crushed when done side to side. Make sure you have the clippers straight on and not at an angle which may then twist as you trim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawfect Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 Thanks Becks -I thought that was the case, but watching YouTube confused me! The clippers mightn't have been straight (cause of the wriggling), hence the twisting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 Make sure they are sharp. Some are too blunt and that makes cutting more difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 I bought one of these at the markets for $5, it came with 10 sandpaper-wheel refills. I use it mostly on Mac as he has a don't-touch-my-feet phobia He doesn't mind it at all. it takes a while to grind the nails as the motor is not really strong...this is probably intentional as the nails will heat up through friction if it didn't stall under too much pressure on the nail. http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3400182&f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo The smell of the grindings is not the best though :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawfect Posted December 16, 2012 Author Share Posted December 16, 2012 They could prob do with some sharpening perhaps... Thanks for the link Boronia - I've seen those & wondered how they'd be. I'm just not sure she'd be still for it though - she even freaks out when i'm just handling her feet. They're cheap though, so no harm in trying I guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boronia Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 I sit on the sofa with Mac and turn on the grinder, then give Mac a dry-cat-food-kibble when he has settled. I usually do one toe and if he is a good boy I give him another kibble. If he fusses I say huh huh and wait until he is quiet, then give a kibble. He only gets his treat when he is being good. It all takes a while but beats having a stressed-peeing dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 (edited) Something I've found useful is to reward away from the nail trimming room once they have been conditioned. I run with Zig from outside on the deck through the house, down the hallway to the dog cupboard for his treat. Helps let off steam and keeps him thinking about his prize. I used to reward after each paw the same way but he now stands calmly whilst I do all 4 feet (lifting them up like a horse lol) as he knows the drill. The Springers and the cats think nail trimming is just a way to have more snuggles :) Edited December 16, 2012 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawfect Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 Thx for the tips - will give them a go. Wish me luck! ;). Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted December 18, 2012 Share Posted December 18, 2012 From someone who does two dogs and three cats weekly, they need to be sharp, do it top to bottom not side to side as Becks said, and do it quickly, so line it up and snip nice and fast and cleanly. If you go slowly it puts pressure on the nail and they don't like it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 I pay the vet to do any of mine that are nervous ... just couldn't cope if I made a nail bleed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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