Here's a question I havent seen

[gryeyes]

I have two doxies who you would swear I was killing if I attempted to get clippers any where near their feet, much less their claws. PetSmart for me. I mean, for them.

 

[cackydoodledoo]

We have concrete in our dog run and that keeps my three's nails trimmed nice. I haven't had to do them in years!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You could work at desensitizing your dog to nail trims. I did that with one of mine. I had to work on several of my dogs, but one in particular needed to start at the very beginning.

I started out at first by just handling her feet a few times a day and giving her a treat. When she was good with that, I introduced the clippers. She was treated for just staying by me when I had the clippers in my hand. Then for letting me put the clippers next to her foot. Later I touched her foot and eventually her nails with the clipper. After she was good with that, I put the clipper around her nail, but didn't cut the nail. When she was good with that, I trimmed just a sliver off. The eventual goal is to be able to cut a nail, a couple of nails, all the nails on a foot and then all the nails at one time. Some stages go fast and some take longer. It just depends on the dog.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I tried all of these tips and absolutely nothing worked with mine. She already has a nervous personality and the nail trimming sends her into trembling fits. What works? The vet has given me some doggie downers that dope her up enough for her not to care. They are fast acting and wear off quickly as well. I gave her half of one on the way to the vet last time, they trimmed her up nicely and she was back to her happy self in no time. It was wonderful. You might check with your vet for some happy pills.

 

[bagendhens]

something nooens suggested yet...

a dremmel...
my dogs haite their naisl clipped, but once i got them desneitized to the sound of the dremmel they have no problem with it.
and now there ok with the dremmel i can do them once a week as opposed to once a month so it literally takes 1 second on each nail and were done!

with long naisl, the more frequently you clip/grind (please note if using a grinder to do nails please only put the grineder on for a second, the friction does make it get HOT, griding shoudl be a few quick passes with the grinder and thats it...)
the shorter the quick recedes and the shorter you can get the nail overall.

i also suggest adding extra bodies and a blanket or towel and lots of her favorite treats

 

[welsummerchicks]

You can't surgically remove dog's toenails as they are not retractible like a cat's. They are a structural part of the foot.

If the nails are getting too long quickly the dog might not be getting enough exercise. Exercise tends to wear off the toenails to a devent length.

I'm sure someone can show you know to train your dog to allow its toenails to be clipped. The vet may be alble to show you. A brief session with a dog trainer otherwise. Most places that teach puppy classes will show you how to clip nails.

I do all my dogs while they are standing up, and hold their foot like a person cleaning a horse's hooves. They can learn to do that or to sit and allow you to hold their paw and clip the nails.

Proper nail clippers have a 'guard' on them so one can't clip off too much and make them bleed (they have a vein in them). Cutting off the curved part usually avoids the vein - you can also look and see the vein on white and light colored toenails.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

I have a 50lb hound mix named Penny that absolutely hates having her nails cut. Once when we took her to the vet we asked if they could try to trim her nails. The vet had to mussel her, while the dog is SCREAMING! Then Penny wouldnt sit still so the lady had to sit on her!

It took a while. We felt bad that the vet had to go threw such a struggle. Ever since the whole vet office knows who we are.
We dont bring her to the vet to get her nails trimmed anymore, instead we do it. It takes 3 people to get the job done. One person trims the nails while another person holds her down and another person puts a towel over her head and tries to calm her down. Maybe I will try the popcorn idea, she LOVES popcorn!

 

[drpeeps2014]

If someone holds like this, they cant get away from you:

Except do this on the floor, and put a knee on top to help hold down. make sure the persons forearm is across the dogs neck and the legs ar stretched out. If they cant get their head up or their legs under themselves, they cant go anywhere. Covering the dogs eyes with a towel helps too, and putting peanut butter in the mouth (or something they really really like) helps.

Before resorting to force though, I would try some desensitization:

1. pick a food the dog really likes, and will only get when he gets his nails trimmed.
2. start keeping the trimmers out and give him the treat if he stays calm
3. move up to putting the clippers near him, give him a treat if hes calm
4. the dog must stay calm, if he gets nervous, go back a step and work with him until hes calm, then give him a treat
5. step by step get closer to the act of trimming his nails: next would be someone holding him for you, you with the trimmers in your hand, then add touching his foot with the timmers, then add trimming one nail in the next step, then one foot, then a few feet, etc

pretty soon, nail trims will = awesome yummy treat time!!

spread it out into short sessions once or twice a day, not all at once (one day do the first step, the next day the next step, etc.)
make nail trims a part of everyday life
if he ever gets scared at all at any point you MUST go back a step and work on it until hes calm.
It takes time, but paying for nail trims adds up
have cornstarch ready in case you cut a nail too short

 

[drpeeps2014]

Quote:
Most people don't realize this but, removing a dogs nails would be just the same as a cat declaw. The procedure removes the last bone in the digit that the nail is attached to. It is a very painful surgery.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

But unless the cat's nails are extended they are not in use. With dogs they use that last portion of their toe to walk on and balance from, its not exactly the same thing.