Oh dear.... puppy claw cutting did not go well....?

[{97702}]

Poor Colin was just beside himself hysterical when I tried today ? It’s just a shame, he has lovely clear nails so if he just sat still I could snip them all really easily and it would be fine! As it is he begins to struggle when I first start trying, even though he has no idea what to expect, and it didn’t go well at all today ???

so it will be daily practice from now on - holding his paw, holding him in position, pretending to cut a nail, slowly working up to cutting a single nail, etc etc etc ?

For some reason I didn’t expect a puppy to be like that as he has no idea what to expect/what might happen? Adult rescues are a different matter as they might well have had nasty experiences....

So an excuse for another gratuitous Colin picture, he had had an absolutely fantastic time playing like a lunatic with toys before we tried his nails - he is so tired now, he slept all the way from my mums without a peep ?

 

[Parrotperson]

I have to say I've yet to meet a jack Russel that likes its claws clipping. They're usually complete drama queens! My Bea use to sound like she was being murdered. Poor wee Colin! Whats George like?

 

[{97702}]

I will admit I clip George’s nails as infrequently as possible! He is not too bad though - certainly none of the hysterics and throwing himself around that Colin did today.

I felt absolutely awful on two counts afterwards ? - not only was Colin stressed but my mum was bleeding from about 4 places on her hands, older people have such thin skin and puppies have such sharp claws! She said it didn’t hurt at all, but I felt awful ???

 

[Parrotperson]

Oh yes! My husband had to hold Bea and he would be covered in scratches!

 

[{97702}]

Sorry ParrotPersob I liked your comment and then that seemed wrong! I keep asking Colin to start changing his teeth too, he still has razor sharp little puppy needles! He never ever bites intentionally but if he catches you accidentally they really hurt ?

 

[planete]

A steady supply of tiny cheese cubes oferred at strategic points by a third party has worked for us. Touch the nail cutters against a nail, cheese. Gently hold a paw, cheese. Etc...cut a tiny bit of nail, cheese, cheese,cheese! Best of luck, our old whirrier was a shocker, she would still howl blue murder between cheese cubes. Do only one nail at a time to start with. Everybody gets dremelled nowadays as I have become allergic to potential blood letting with all the black nails my lot have.

 

[{97702}]

Yes I think dremel will probably be the answer here, the greyhound boys both have dark nails as big as tree trunks! - Ace keeps his quite short naturally, Marty is not a fan of having his done ?

I absolutely hate catching the quick by mistake, today was not good ??

 

[scats]

Ahh bless him. I get lots of puppies in the salon for first grooms and it involves their first little nail session (often don’t even need a trim, but still go through the process of touching each nail with the clipper etc).
I find they are either totally fine and have absolutely no problem with them being handled, or they are the total opposite and have a bit of a meltdown!

A great tip for not catching the quick is to almost shave the end of the nail with the clippers- tiny little shards at a time. In dark nails, you can actually see the start of the quick appear as a black dot inside a white outer layer. You know then to stop.
I tend to still do the ‘taking shards’ off with clear nails too, as the quick sometimes goes a bit longer than what you can actually see through the nail and it’s easy to think you’re clear of it and accidentally catch it.

 

[{97702}]

He was so distraught about it all, I felt dreadful ??? Luckily he forgave me about 5 minutes later and started playing again, but I know perfectly well that it took a lot out of him by his reaction (sleeping all the way home - unheard of!) and i don’t feel good about that in any way ???

He has slept on my knee all evening looking adorable, I don’t deserve a puppy sometimes ????

 

[Bellasophia]

Planete has described the dremmeling perfectly,I just wanted to add there are tiny dremmels for small dogs.I actually bought one in preparation for my schnauzer,but she has astounded me in being really cooperative for trad clippers.Both mine go on the table daily for their brushing so I think this helps,as I handle their feet daily too Obviously in a short haired coat such as your boy,this has not been needed,so I would get him used to feet handling when he gets his cuddles.
Also,re clippers,I find the small guillotene type are better for my small dog as opposed to the scissor action type.

Lovely picture,one of his best,the contrast is great.

 

[scats]

Bless him. It’s amazing how mentally drained they get as pups and how they have to sleep to process things. I always prepare pup owners that they might sleep for hours after their first groom!

 

[Bellasophia]

This is for a small dog...(for my big dog I use a classic dremmel ,huge in comparison)
you can take the lead away and it’s really easy to use.