Trimming dog nails.

[Longhorn]

Someone mentioned using a dremmel drill the other day. I can't see my dogs putting up with that. Even though nothing bad has ever happened to them, they fight me to the point that their nails don't get trimmed. Should I just leave them alone or ask the vet to do it? They run around a lot outside but mostly on grass, not sidewalks, so I don't think they're going to wear down from that.

Is there a way to safely calm them down so that I can trim them? Thanks!

[RebelOne]

1. Well, I take the easy way out.

I let the vet do it. I have tried to trim my dog's nails and have drawn blood. I just hate hurting her. I have nail clippers, but just clip the ends so they don't get too very long. Even though we go for walks on concrete, her nails grow too long.

[auburngrad82]

2. Smear peanut butter on the fridge, have someone hold them up

to the peanut butter, and then do their nails while they are distracted by the peanut butter.

Don't laugh too hard, it works.

[Mandate My Ass]

3. I've never been able to do it without hurting them

I either let the vet or groomer do it. My groomer only charged $10 per dog for a shampoo and clipping, which is quite a bargain I've found out from talking with other people.

As far as calming them down, my dogs started flipping out as soon as they saw the clippers in my hand! Good luck.

[lukasahero]

4. Desensitization

My dog used to flip out (the vet cut him once and they even muzzled him - heck I'd snip if they just sliced my toes too!) so we decided to start doing it ourselves. We started by just sitting and holding his feet, then sat there while holding the clippers, moved on to holding the clippers near his toes and finally actually made the cut. He still isn't crazy about it but he deals. It's alot easier than it used to be.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

5. That's why

God made groomers. That and cleaning the anal sacs. We have always used groomers connected to the vet's office in case something goes wrong.

[Longhorn]

6. Cleaning the anal sacs?

Oh, my! I don't even want to think about that, whatever that is!

I think it may be time to take them in for a trim!

[TheCentepedeShoes]

7. Here's the scoop

The anal sacs are on each side of the doggie's butt hole. They carry their special scent, that's why dogs sniff each other's butts. The fluid in there can get impacted and cause infection, so it's a good idea to clean the sacs periodically by squeezing the area to release the fluid, which has a really nasty smell, at least to us humans. Never knew this until we got our dog and a copy of "Dogs for Dummies," since I sometimes are one (a dummy) myself. We always make sure the groomer is up to the job. But I really don't know how common such an infection is.

[janx]

8. The only way is to get them used to it when they're puppies.

I've always been bad at that, so I take them to the vet's office.

[radfringe]

9. no problem with our greyhound

he even lets us cut his nails when he's sleeping...

the airdale -- well that's another problem all together -- and that's why we have the groomer or vet do it.

Check your newspaper/phone book for groomers -- there are some out there that charge $5 for a nail trim and will do it as a "walk-in" -- if there's a petsmart near you - check with them, the one by us just charges $5 for a nail trim (no appointment necessary)

[Longhorn]

10. That's a great idea. Thanks!

I'll check into it. The fun part will be getting the four dogs in my Mustang. :-)