Doggie Thread

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kiwi

Messin’ with Sasquatch
Apr 22, 2005
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I've been trying to figure out how to clip my dog's toenails for sometime now, he desperately needed it, we bought the clippers, but for the life of me, I couldn't keep him occupied long enough to accomplish anything. I was about ready to resort to calling the vet and seeing what it costs, but then last night I had an idea. Dogs love peanut butter, it's harder for them to eat then regular snacks, it may just work. So I put peanut butter in a cup and held it strategically with my arms or legs to position the doggie where I wanted him so I could clip his nails. It worked like a charm, I was able to get all four feet done, with no mishaps (although, I probably could have gone a little shorter, but didn't want to risk it and his nails don't clink on the floor anymore). I am very proud of myself.

Any other doggie tips or tricks anyone has learned over the years?
 
just grab the leg, pull it between your knees from behind and clip away...it's really not difficult :p
 
w_a_w said:
just grab the leg, pull it between your knees from behind and clip away...it's really not difficult :p
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It is when you have a Jack Russell and have never done it before :p. Those dogs are squirmy and little (my dog might weigh 13 pounds), I doubt that method would work at all.
 
Just spend the $5-10 it takes to have them do it at the vet. If the dog doesn't like it's feet constrained and/or if the dog has dark toenails you really shouldn't try to do it at home. USually the vet will let youjust bring it in and have that done .. and they don't charge you an office visit.

Dogs have veins in their toenails (unlike us) and if you cut it, it will bleed. If you cut it you will need a styptic pencil to stop it. It does hurt them. And once you ever do it .. they can be skittish about having it done again. Small dogs especially can become nippy if they get scared about it.

:)
 
SRC said:
Just spend the $5-10 it takes to have them do it at the vet. If the dog doesn't like it's feet constrained and/or if the dog has dark toenails you really shouldn't try to do it at home. USually the vet will let youjust bring it in and have that done .. and they don't charge you an office visit.

Dogs have veins in their toenails (unlike us) and if you cut it, it will bleed. If you cut it you will need a styptic pencil to stop it. It does hurt them. And once you ever do it .. they can be skittish about having it done again. Small dogs especially can become nippy if they get scared about it.

:)
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That's why I didn't go to short, I'd rather be safe then sorry. I do play with my dogs feet all the time (a tip from my sister) so it didn't bother him to have me hold them. The issue was, he was very interested in the clippers and kept wanting to play with them, so I simply needed a distraction, and the peanut butter worked great. (Also, the vet down here is a part time vet and it's hard to get ahold of him sometimes). And, my dog does have light toenails, so it's easy to see the quick.

I've done lots of reading prior to attempting to do it myself. :) I figure it will be easiest if I can just do it routinely as opposed to having to take him somewhere every couple of months (with 2 (almost 3) little ones, it's not that easy to sneak out all the time, especially after we move away from family).
 
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If he has light toenails then you are lucky lol. Just locate the vein and clip up under it. You must have a good JRT, because most don't like their nails clipped (of course, most people don't do like you did and play with their feet either).

Mine has black toenails and they are a PITA.
 
kiwi said:
Knyte hasn't been performing due to being short and all. I was about ready to resort to calling an escort and seeing what it costs, but then last night I had an idea. Dogs love peanut butter, it's harder for them to eat then regular snacks, it may just work. So I put peanut butter in a cup and held it strategically with my arms or legs to position the doggie where I wanted him. It worked like a charm. I am very proud of myself.

Any other doggie tips or tricks anyone has learned over the years?
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Fixt for UF
 
With our Pit Bull it's really a two man job, not that she fights us, it's just easier that way (and may be easier for you!)

Like SRC says with clear nails it's uber easy - cut off the see-through part of the nail and not the milky white stuff (cause it'll bleed)

I really don't want to hurt my puppy so I leave some room and only cut off a little.

She's happier that way, see?

84677f3cd2743b.jpg
 
kiwi said:
It is when you have a Jack Russell and have never done it before :p. Those dogs are squirmy and little (my dog might weigh 13 pounds), I doubt that method would work at all.
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my two-month-old weighs more than your doggie (he's 14lbs3oz). :lol:

i'm very impressed with your creative way of keeping a JRT occupied!! :clap:
 
Thorn Bird said:
my two-month-old weighs more than your doggie (he's 14lbs3oz). :lol:

i'm very impressed with your creative way of keeping a JRT occupied!! :clap:
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Ky weighed in at 16 lbs 11 oz two weeks agoo, and he's 10 months old. I bet your baby will be bigger then mine by his next appt.
 
Grooming++>than trimming nails yourself
I take my dog to work with me anytime I think he is smelly and he gets a bath, nail trim and ear cleaning and its only $21. On the other hand I am good friends with the bather and she loves my dog and does it for free...
 
My german shepard is absolutely terrified of anyone touching his feet. He cries, and tries to get away, and then hides under the table for days. We started giving him valium like an hour before clipping. He still acts hurt, but doesnt go bananas.
 
HifiGirly said:
Grooming++>than trimming nails yourself
I take my dog to work with me anytime I think he is smelly and he gets a bath, nail trim and ear cleaning and its only $21. On the other hand I am good friends with the bather and she loves my dog and does it for free...
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That would be nice, but I highly doubt we could get it for that much. Plus our dogs good at letting us give him baths, so it's not a big deal.

We really have a very good puppy, he's just hyper.
 
kiwi said:
I've been trying to figure out how to clip my dog's toenails for sometime now, he desperately needed it, we bought the clippers, but for the life of me, I couldn't keep him occupied long enough to accomplish anything. I was about ready to resort to calling the vet and seeing what it costs, but then last night I had an idea. Dogs love peanut butter, it's harder for them to eat then regular snacks, it may just work. So I put peanut butter in a cup and held it strategically with my arms or legs to position the doggie where I wanted him so I could clip his nails. It worked like a charm, I was able to get all four feet done, with no mishaps (although, I probably could have gone a little shorter, but didn't want to risk it and his nails don't clink on the floor anymore). I am very proud of myself.

Any other doggie tips or tricks anyone has learned over the years?
Click to expand...

I take LuLu to PetsMart and they do it for $8. It's worth every penny because she just HATES having her toenails clipped. We had to start muzzling her, and Ryan and I both have to hold her down while the girl cuts the nails. The last time we did this without a muzzle, she bit the girl and drew blood. She has black nails too so it's really hard to figure out where to trim them to, so I just leave it to the professionals. I clip my cat's claws all the time without a problem, but my dog has to be all high maintenance and stuff.
 
elpmis said:
With our Pit Bull it's really a two man job, not that she fights us, it's just easier that way (and may be easier for you!)

Like SRC says with clear nails it's uber easy - cut off the see-through part of the nail and not the milky white stuff (cause it'll bleed)

I really don't want to hurt my puppy so I leave some room and only cut off a little.

She's happier that way, see?

84677f3cd2743b.jpg
Click to expand...


That dog is going to kill you someday.
 
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