Dog won't have his nails trimmed - vets?

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NellRosk

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We got our little dog last year when he was 14 months old. He is a poodle cross and had an extremely matted coat and was really unhappy about being brushed/ clipped. We've reached a point where we can brush him frequently and run the clippers over him ever so often to control his coat but he won't let us clip his nails and they're getting too long now. We've tried everything and he's so small and wriggly and ends up growling and trying to bite. This is totally out of character as he has a lovely temperament but he gets really upset about his claws! So what do we do? Book him in with the vet nurse? We don't want to make going to the vets a negative experience though :( he's really sensitive and thin skinned and screamed the place down when he got chipped so he's already not wild about it.

Advice appreciated :)
 
Thanks Dg, just quickly scanned through it and I can't imagine Dougal ever being that relaxed when having them done!! I'll watch it fully tomorrow when I'm (bored) at work :)
 
I know she makes it look very easy but her dog isnt nervous thats why I said take your time, bar knocking him out taking it slowly is the only way and will pay dividends in the long run. I think the sound of it is the most off putting for them so having the radio on may help drown out the sounds.
 
Sophia yin does a good video on helping a dog who hates having nails cut. I find dogs accept a nail grinder better than clippers. Will try to find the link for the video
 
I can picture the scene as clearly as if he were in front of me now :) . Is there somewhere with a concrete/tarmac ground where you can go (we've used car parks after hours for example, or roads that have been closed because a new one has been built) and play ball?

I'm guessing his pads might be quite soft if his claws have grown, but some dogs just walk in a way that their claws don't wear down. If so, then just a few minutes per day to start with and gradually increase it as his pads harden. It's when they're chasing, stopping, turning, jumping etc. to get the ball, that the concrete/tarmac acts as a sort of emery board. Especially useful for dogs with black claws and much more fun than a boring old pedicure :p .
 
SusieT said:
Can you walk him more on concrete?
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They're at the point where they're too long I think to be worn on concrete :(

satinbaze said:
Sophia yin does a good video on helping a dog who hates having nails cut. I find dogs accept a nail grinder better than clippers. Will try to find the link for the video
Click to expand...

Thank you for that link, I think we'll get a nail grinder too they look a lot better than they crappy little nail clippers we've got from petsathome!

gunnergundog said:
A cordless dremel every time! Most of my dogs have black nails that are very hard and with my eyesight (or lack of!) the risk of quicking them is to great. http://www.doberdawn.com/doberdawn/dremel.html
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Great thanks for that link! Yes he's jet black and so has black nails and I think if we cut them to the quick he'd NEVER forgive us! He's a sensitive soul :)

Lunchbox legend said:
I can picture the scene as clearly as if he were in front of me now :) . Is there somewhere with a concrete/tarmac ground where you can go (we've used car parks after hours for example, or roads that have been closed because a new one has been built) and play ball?

I'm guessing his pads might be quite soft if his claws have grown, but some dogs just walk in a way that their claws don't wear down. If so, then just a few minutes per day to start with and gradually increase it as his pads harden. It's when they're chasing, stopping, turning, jumping etc. to get the ball, that the concrete/tarmac acts as a sort of emery board. Especially useful for dogs with black claws and much more fun than a boring old pedicure :p .
Click to expand...

Ahh thank you Lunchbox legend! We tend to walk on tracks/ fields and he's rarely on concrete. I can't really think of anywhere we could let him play ball without him getting run over but I'll have a think! The nails are strange, they're kind of growing out the way and don't curve down and touch the ground IYSWIM? And I can't cope with the NOISE of him sat on the sofa every evening biting his nails it's awful! So they must be bugging him if he's chewing them. I think it will be quite a long process though because if you go to touch his feet he freaks out and withdraws his paw very quickly. I'm not sure if he's had a bad experience before coming to us.
 
One of my rescue lurchers needed a general anaesthetic (just dipped under of course) to have his nails done when we first got him - by the time I lost him 6 years later he would allow me to cut them in the usual way, he was the most rewarding dog I've ever had :) I do like the idea of the Dremel though :)
 
The desensitising shown in kikopup" s video works really well with very nervous dogs. It took me six months to be able to do all the nails in one go with one of my dogs. I had to start by doing just one at a time but he is fine now. The type of nail clipper you use is also important as the flimsy ones can squash the nail before cutting it and most dogs will find that uncomfortable. I avoid the guillotine type ones.
If you buy a dremel, bear in mind a nervous dog will need to be desensitised to the noise and the feel of it as well.
 
Ours walk on stoney ground and/or roads so have never needed their toenails trimmed, the only exception was our old dog who got very arthritic and didn't want to go walkies, bless her.

Dewclaws are a problem though. Terrier tends to nibble away at his own - he's made himself a bit sore in the past so I've tended to keep a watch and just clip off as quickly and quietly as possible, the offending item. He's very tender about his toes and hates anyone fussing with his feet.
 
Groomers are often very good at doing nails IME - and even if he isn't really happy with them doing it, it avoids the risk of having a problem with the vets?
 
Best getting the vet to do it as its easy to mistakenly cut into the quick and cause bleeding.It would be a chance for her to experience going to the vet as a more pleasant outing.When I changed vets I gave my dog a good run so he was nice and relaxed then popped into the vet and gave him a chance to have a sniff about and meet the staff who made him welcome.About a week later I made the appointment took him along after a good excercise and he was fine as it wasnt so new to him. As your dog will no doubt be going to visit the vet in future its best to get her used to it and just visiting now and then and rewarding when she is relaxed about it will help you feel less anxious too.A good walk beforehand so she is tired will help her cope better too.
 
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