After only using Otto's nail clippers 8-10 times, they are completely dull.  At this rate, keeping his nails trimmed could be quite an expensive proposition!  I was wondering if anyone here has a particular brand that they really like--as it looks like I need to pick up a new pair.  These were the guillotine type, so I don't know how you could possibly go about trying to sharpen them. 

Ideas?

And if anyone has any handy-dandy tips for trimming dark nails, I'm all ears.  It really makes me nervous...

Thanks!

Examine them closely, you will see that you can definitely sharpen "guillotine type" clippers, although its best done using a Dremel/Foredom w/rotary stone. The best looking "guillotine type" clippers I had found weren't really big enough for my GSP's large claws anyway, they were light duty, not up to the task.

I greatly prefer the shear type, that works like cable cutters & have never needed to sharpen them. I bought a medium sized pair & immediately knew they were far superior. Later I found a larger pair from 'Jor-Vet' that is wonderful & will easily clip claws on the largest dogs. Though unmarked I believe the smaller pair is from 'Jor-Vet' also, same SS blade design & plastic handles.

All 3 of my GSPs have had big black claws, but the 'quick' has always been a contrasting light gray.  In nearly 30 years of trimming dog claws I think I've nicked the 'quick' maybe 3 times.

I have someone else do it as well... They offer that service along with a bath at the daycare I bring Jed to..  It is nice to pick him up and he is all clean and shiny...

With 15 dogs in the house I'd be out of my mind to pay someone else to do it. That being said my GSP Simon HATES having them cut. I have to run the crap out of him then force him to let me. I don't mean he's aggressive he never is, but he squirms and worms and is generally against it. Luckily he likes to dig and run and does a nice job keeping them trim himself. They were a little long last month at the vet and it's one of my vet's peeves so he offers to do it for free for me. I warned him Simon HATES it and HATES HATES HATES being restrained by a stranger. He's not the most social butterfly not terrified by any means but a strangers holding him is NOT his cup of tea. So the big stranger holds him my vet starts the nails....first the anal glands went, then he pee'd on the table, then he pooped on the table. My vet will NEVER offer to do Simon's nails again " align="absMiddle" border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/wink.gif" />  Luckily he doesn't have THAT reaction with me....

Millers forge orange handled nail clippers ALL THE WAY. Mine have stayed sharp for years and I do a LOT of nail trimming around here, including She-Who-Has-Nails-Of-Steel (not even running on asphalt will keep them down).

Or spring for a dremmel and grind 'em. I need to ask my dad where his is since they now live next door and it's not exactly used every day. We tried grinding with a cordless drill and it worked OK but took forever- the dremmel should be much faster.

One thing's for certain: ANY dog around here WILL learn to put up with nail and foot care. This is one of those issues that I equate with the kid protesting the car seat: I'm sorry, you don't have to be happy about it, but IT WILL BE DONE because the alternative simply isn't acceptible. Short chaining, muzzling, whatever it takes... we've never had to go that far but we've had a few dogs that needed both of us the first couple times before they gave in and put up with it long enough to earn their cookie afterwards. As long as were firm, calm, and don't 'feed the drama' it seems like they iron out just fine.

That's too funny!!!  I'm definitely with you Katie.  It's 10 bucks a shot to clip nails--and that's money I'd rather spend on something else.  Not to mention the hour it would take out of my day to drive over and back.  With some nice bits of ham or bacon, Otto is becoming much more relaxed about the process.  And I figure that, if I do it every week--just a little at a time, I'll get his nails to where they need to be.

Thanks everyone for the notes.  I'll definitely swing up to Petco and see if they have either of the clippers mentioned. 

I have Bean's done by either the vet tech or the kennel staff if she's there for a visit. Just before our vacation, I wanted to get them trimmed, had to make an appt. at the vet ( it wasn't really a convenient time for me ) So one day on our walk I took a detour I was near the vet ( I used to use ) had been with them for about 14 years...I only switched vets when I got Bean, because I needed her in for vaccinations ASAP ( she was 18 months and had no record of ANY shots, only a pregnancy ) My regular vet could not get us in the same day......

ANYWAY I called my old vet from  about three blocks out, and they said sure COME ON IN

so we did..................She was a real good girl,and they only charged $6.00 ( normal 8-12 bucks ) depending on difficulty..............

Trouble was I HAD NO MONEY remember we were walking .....I never carry money when we walk........having not been to this vet for over a year, the receptionist, that did not know me from Joe Blow  & ....wasn't buying, that I was just walking by and my husband will come by within a half hour to pay ) I had called him while Bean was getting her trim.....She was not at all happy, about the situation, remember six bucks  OMG

My file at this vet is about as thick as well let's see   5 labs, and one that was there monthly with diabetes problems....I'd like to know how many thousands we've spent there ( well maybe not )

The receptionist had to get the office manager out of a meeting to approve the situation. The office manager knew me, and we went on our merry way...

I'm carrying cash these days, and an extra debit card

Renee'

I use nothing but a Dremmel on my girls.  They don't like it, but they will come when I tell them it is time to trim nails and they stand quietly while I trim.  Belle was my challenge and it took a while to get her to this level.  I would do a one nail and they praise and treat her.  We eventually graduated to a foot then treat.  Now she gets a treat when we are all done.  Halo has always been great from day one.  I trim about once a week as their nails grow like weeds.  I run them daily (probably a mile or so) on dirt and pavement and although that does grind them down some, it is not enough.  Thanks goodness they are good. 

Also, with the Dremmel if you get a bit into the quick it carterizes the nail bed and so doesn't bleed much.  I have gotten pretty good at being able to tell when I am close to the quick even with really dark nails, so I don't often have a problem.

IMO the Dremmel is easier and quicker and the dogs don't mind it nearly as much as the various nail clippers.

You can also use a dremel to grind their nails. A good tutorial can be found  HERE.

Thanks, Somer!  I've considered trying a Dremel, but the posts I've read about them didn't include pictures--and I need to see something like this before I try it.  I know we have one, I'll have to have my husband dig it out and give it a try.

I usually put at least a few hundred miles on dogs during the mushing season, and back in the day I used to have dogs with me serveral times a week for mountain biking adventures. Long story short: Some dog's nails will wear down with regular running, a few will not. I always say that they should make BOMB SHELTERS out of whatever Dulcie's nails are made out of, because even when she was out rampaging in the woods all afternoon day after day all summer with a bit on asphalt leaving/returning to town I'd STILL have to trim them down once every week or two. It's seriously nuts!

Also both pads and nails will wear much less if you suppliment with zinc, which is something we now do year-round to keep feet in better shape for mushing. When I started adding zinc to my dog's diet was when I broke down for the orange handled nail clippers- the cheap pet store gillotine types were hardly able to get through dog nails any more.