Ranger
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:168
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| 05/07/2008 3:31 PM |
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Timely discussion! I just spent $11 plus tax at a new place to get Ranger's nails trimmed. The place I used before was just too inconvenient. Although it takes a pro only about 5 minutes they have a hangup about having an appointment time. Do you ever get to the point where once you've made a decision, you want to act NOW. As in "I need a haircut yesterday!". Anyway, the new place was very flexible and said "Sure, bring him in anytime."
I have tried to trim Ranger's nails myself but he gets so anxious and growly it is hard to concentrate on where I'm placing the clippers. I agree with all of you do--it--yourselfers that some serious savings could be had. You've motivated me to try again, maybe this time with the Dremel. Great idea to do a nail, give a treat, and work from there. Helpful thread!! |
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Somer
Houston, TX
MH
Posts:280
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| 05/07/2008 3:32 PM |
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Posted By prairiefire on 05/07/2008 2:57 PM
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.
HERE is a video of a dog having its nails dremeled. There are some other ones on youtube, too.
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see'n'spots
north central Florida
MH
Posts:334
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| 05/07/2008 5:48 PM |
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Kal runs an enormous amount & his claws keep growing faster than any apparent wear. He also has large claws that would destroy the guillotine trimmers I've seen. If possible, I trim claws after its rained & the dog's feet have had plenty of time to soak, does make it easier.
However, I can not imagine trying to use a Dremel to trim the claws on the GSPs I've owned. Almost certain Kal wouldn't like the noise one bit & pretty sure he'd like the vibration even less. The shear type trimmers cut the claw in a split second. A Dremel would drone on for some time, during which you'd need to guide it. I'd save the Dremel for smoothing off sharp edges. |
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see'n'spots
north central Florida
MH
Posts:334
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| 05/07/2008 5:58 PM |
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I can't imagine driving, waiting & then paying "$11 plus tax" for "about 5 minutes" work cutting 16 claws. Wish I could get work like that!
Really, save the Dremel & pick up a pair of the 'Jor-Vet' type trimmers. I would dread even having to try using a Dremel on Kal, he'd submit, but would surely jerk his paws away enough to make it a hassle.
Curious what type of tool Dremel fans are using to do the cutting. Was thinking a 'cut off' wheel, but thought that would generate enough heat to freak out a dog. Other Dremel bits seem more dangerous. |
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carlower1
Kansas
MH
Posts:1253
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| 05/07/2008 6:41 PM |
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| I have tried the Dremel, but the beast has issues with the noise and it just takes too long. Meanwhile my vet told me that when you use the clippers.. you find the "curve" of the nail, then just a touch below the curve (away from the paw) clip there. should you clip too close and get blood, use corn starch to seal the wound. |
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
MH
Posts:989
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| 05/07/2008 7:19 PM |
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For dogs with 'nails from hell', the dremmel is often recommended as just about the only way to get the quick beat back. Dulcie doesn't like us grinding her nails but she'll put up with it if we ask her to. You can always slice down the nail then grind around the edges... I often pare just a bit extra from the outside anyway since I've seen long sides splinter on hard running dogs.
FWIW I find the most annoying way is with the dog standing up. Dog lying down on something soft (carpet, couch, etc) and with a good bright light source is my preferred MO. I've even used a head lamp to get it lit up enough. |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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MowrMowr
JH
Posts:27
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| 05/07/2008 7:38 PM |
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I use the same orange handled ones as MegC...a bit more expensive but the difference in quality is pretty large and it makes things much quicker. I also have the same attitude as her...neither of my 2 "like" to have their nails cut but they don't have to like it...they just have to do it. I had to battle both of them the first 5-10 times but now when they see the clippers come out they know it's not worth it and will lay on their back and close their eyes until it's over. |
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pattyl
MH
Posts:304
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| 05/07/2008 7:56 PM |
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I use the clippers and then the dremel. The dremel wheel is sort of like a rough sandpaper. I got my dogs used to the dremel by laying it on the table for a few days and then learning to do my own toenails with it. Figured if I was good enough to do mine, then I could do theirs. And I wanted to know for sure if it hurt. I think it works quite well.
Spot doesn't mind much and once he even fell asleep while I was working on his nails. Lola doesn't like it much. |
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1149
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| 05/07/2008 8:19 PM |
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I'm with you, Patty. Just finished up doing two sets of nails, one on my 6 month old Rico headed for his first real show and the other set on almost two Hailey...both get put up on the grooming table, clippered first and then dremeled....with the coarse sandpaper band. Hint...if you turn the foot upside down, you can see where to clip and avoid the quick pretty easily. If you leave nails for a long time, the quicks will grow with the nail and it can be heck to not quick them...hence the reason many dogs despise having nails done. Sooooooo, if you do them weekly, just a bit at a time, until they are where you want them...then you can clip every two weeks. I also find that an emery file (like for artificial nails) is a good thing to have when just sitting with your dog quietly. Most don't mind that at all. You can also get several different "strengths" of dremel at Walmart, the rechargeable ones are less noisy than the plug-in types. Definitely worth the $39.95 for the 7.5 v charger and dremel.
Phyllis and the Singltrak furtribe
www.singltrakshorthairs.com
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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see'n'spots
north central Florida
MH
Posts:334
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| 05/08/2008 11:28 AM |
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Sorry, I keep forgetting that some owners keep relatively high maintenance GSPs & need those claws to look like a Marine's dress shoes. A Dremel can polish the beejezuz out of them.
"Spot doesn't mind much and once he even fell asleep while I was working on his nails."
Using the $12 'Jor-Vet' trimmer & looking directly at the quick from the underside, I can clip Kal's claws in well less than 5 minutes. For "Trimming nails" it only takes a fraction of a second per claw. No time to fall asleep for a GSP who will stand at attention in a nanosecond, from a sound REM sleep, after saying 'WALK'.
I suspect carlower1 hit upon it: "I have tried the Dremel, but the beast has issues with the noise and it just takes too long."
I'd be willing to bet it would be a disaster to try a Dremel on Kal. I also prefer larger claws for Kal's running obsession in FL's sandy soils. |
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1805
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| 05/08/2008 11:32 AM |
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| Given how Layla felt about me sanding a table on the first floor while she was on the second floor, or how she feels about the vacuum or the electric screwdriver or... well, I wouldn't even bother trying a Dremel. She would freak out & it would probably damage the bond & trust I have started to build with her. Poor baby had a lot of homes in the year and a half of life she had before she came to me. |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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see'n'spots
north central Florida
MH
Posts:334
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| 05/08/2008 12:17 PM |
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Perhaps not so much GSPs, but many long haried breeds, in high maintenance, get accustomed to grooming w/noisey buzzing vibrating devices, even around their faces. I can see how Dremels can be tolerated & might do a bang up job. Still want to zero in on the Dremel bits/tools recommended. I understand how "coarse...rough sandpaper" would be useful smoothing & polishing, but what is recommended for "Trimming"? I'd mentioned a 'cut off' wheel & haven't thought of anything safer. An abrasive 'cut off' disc could also be used to smooth claws. IMO "sandpaper" describes a 1 sided abrasive not suited for 'cut off'. Are Dremel fans sanding away their dogs' claws? Ouch!!!! Gives "just takes too long" a whole new meaning.
However, for beginers still wrestling w/paying others "$11 plus tax" for "Trimming nails" the best bet remains a shear type trimmers, like the $12 Jor-Vet. W/dogs that strongly resist, wait until a rainy day or a long swimming session has softened the claws before trying to trim them. By all means don't try it until after a dog has exercised & tired itself out.
Kal has gone from, hestitant to even have his paws touched & never having huge, cat like, claws trimmed for well over a year TO laying down, then rolling over on his back & shaking when I tell him to 'Show me his belly' or just saying 'Belly'! |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7919
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| 05/08/2008 12:49 PM |
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I Dremel both my dogs and for me it is much easier and faster. I use a sandpaper ring on the drum and believe me it takes the nails down very fast. (spots: you don't have to trim/cut anything first) It does not hurt them at all as long as you don't press down too hard or stay on any one nail too long (it gets hot if you do, I can feel the heat too). I can do eight feet or 32 toes (no dew claws) in about 5 minutes. We have an order, oldest first (Belle), then Halo. I tell them let's get our nails done and they line up. Both of my girls have dark toenails, and Belles are what I call bear claws. To trim them with even a really good clipper, well she hated it it, but does not mind the Dremel too much. Halo is my super model  and honestly loves all the grooming.
With Belle I had to work to get her to let me touch her feet and I started with her as a pup. Halo, no problems, and I also started her as a pup. Of course they get treats after they are done. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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kmoalbany
MH
Posts:107
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| 05/08/2008 12:55 PM |
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| I have a dremel as well. I find it a bit easier to just snip nails and for foster dogs the dremel would take a good bit of desensitizing I just lack the time to really work on. I can usually do the no nonsense I'm clipping them hubby holds you I clip deal with it but the dremel does occasionally wig a newbie out. But from all I can tell the sanding down is totally painless (as long as you don't hit the quick) exactly like the clipping. It's fast, effective and doesn't leave anything rough which is nice for wood floors. |
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Katie - GSP Rescue in NY |
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1149
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| 05/08/2008 12:57 PM |
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NOOOOOOOOOOO! Forget the cut off wheel immediately!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think you (or your Kal either) relish the idea of amputation (toes or fingers...LOL!)
When I said clipping, I meant with my nail clippers...Mine came I think from Petsmart, are green handled and heavy enough to do the job. Once the nails are clipped back to a good length, Dremel has a "sanding band" attachment that comes with replaceable coarse sandpaper bands. That is what I use for smoothing and taking off perhaps a bit more....
Its not so much needing "long claws" (ugh, and I hate that expression-though they can feel like claws if not done often enough) for sandy soil. Too long of a toenail can throw your dog's whole foot out of whack, and instead of being able to run "up on his toes", will force the weight back onto the main pad and the rear of the pasterns. GSPs are supposed to be "heavily or well nailed", but that doesn't mean having nails that curl under. They can also hang up a toe with a really long nail on it...rip out the nail and then you have a bloody mess, longer nails can split more easily also. We have sandy. caliched soil out here, harder'n cement sometimes and even if my dogs aren't showing in a few weeks it is still easier to keep 'em in maintenance condition than to have to start from scratch each time.  I can do that part with just my green scissor type clippers (and a bit of quick stop just in case)
Phyllis and furtribe
www.singltrakshorthairs.com
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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see'n'spots
north central Florida
MH
Posts:334
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| 05/08/2008 2:02 PM |
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I've used abrasive 'cutoff' wheels in a Foredom flexdrive tool for work quite often & for many years. Never found it to be particularly dangerous. Certainly never worry about "the idea of amputation" & have inadvertantly come in contact w/it many times.
I presume by "sandpaper bands" we're talking about the miniature sanding drums. Small, short, (well under 1") paper tubes w/sandpaper on the outside? Can see them cutting more aggressively than 'cut off' wheels, but will grind off skin just as fast, depending on grit, even faster. Still don't see "Trimming nails" w/Dremel. Smoothing & polishing yes.
Different strokes for different folks. IMO dogs have claws & know how to use them. I like the idea that "GSPs are supposed to be "heavily or well nailed", except for the fact "ugh, and I hate that expression" "NAILED"? People & primates have "nails". Canids have claws.
When my dogs spin their wheels on slick floors I've called them Turkey Toes b/c of the distinct sound claws make struggling for traction. Wonder if anyone refers to an Eagle's talons as "nails"?
Kal's got no trouble with "the rear of the pasterns".
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1149
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| 05/08/2008 2:20 PM |
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You said: "I presume by "sandpaper bands" we're talking about the miniature sanding drums. Small, short, (well under 1" paper tubes w/sandpaper on the outside? Can see them cutting more aggressively than 'cut off' wheels, but will grind off skin just as fast, depending on grit, even faster. Still don't see "Trimming nails" w/Dremel. Smoothing & polishing yes."
You'd be surprised at what you can do with a Dremel.
and you said
" Different strokes for different folks. IMO dogs have claws & know how to use them. I like the idea that "GSPs are supposed to be "heavily or well nailed", except for the fact "ugh, and I hate that expression" "NAILED"? People & primates have "nails". Canids have claws. "
I'm quoting the standard to you....its not "different strokes for whatever you want".  Checked on Wikipedia and perhaps because the ends are pointed you refer to them as claws. Most people would tend to think more of claws as those with hooks on the end...birds, cats, etc... I refuse to get into a war over semantics here, but once the nails are clipped or ground to a rounded or flat edge then they do more closely resemble nails. Whatever...just don't paint them strawberry red ! LOL!
Phyllis and the furtribe
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7919
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bruns333
Central Ohio
MH
Posts:383
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| 05/08/2008 3:15 PM |
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I have used both manual types and neither works great , but I feel like I am cutting Trego's nails at least once a month and wouldn't want to pay or spend the time getting it done by someone. I moe ofter use the guilltine type and put her on her back and straddle her with some treats next to her head. I go through about 5-10 treats depending on how relaxed she is. She doesn't like the fronts done. I have hit her quick a few times, but it bleeds a little and then she forgives me. Her backs are very easy compared to the fronts. I tried the dremel and she really doesn't go for that, but I did give up pretty easy. A handler used them on her for shows and said she had no problem getting Trego's nails done with it. I haven't found a pair that stays sharp and doesn't leave some rough/sharp edges, but after a day or two Trego wears them pretty smooth.
Matt |
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Where temperament means performance
http://silverbulletshorthairs.com/
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=721 R.I.P Trego 6-1-03 to 10-13-10
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=941
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=3626 |
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see'n'spots
north central Florida
MH
Posts:334
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| 05/08/2008 3:27 PM |
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And you'd be surprised at what I know about rotary tools & animals. Are you familiar w/Foredom?
"Checked on Wikipedia and perhaps because the ends are pointed you refer to them as claws"
No, the difference between nails & claws has nothing to do w/the ends being pointed & everything to do w/the cross sections. That is, despite the popular fashion of referring to women who've groomed oversized nails as having claws, if you think this is about semantics. Any person can grow their nails out & cut them to make them "pointed" that doesn't make them claws.
IMO claws are fundamentally different structurally b/c they're narrower than they are thick. Dog claws are typically thicker than they are wide, possessing a fat, strong ~oval cross section. In sharp contrast, human nails are relatively paper thin & extremely wide by comparison. My own thumb nail for instance is ~0.02" thick & ~0.70" wide, as the crow flies. This is 35 times wider than thick, a thin, weak & flexible structure, that wears blunt. It's cross section is essentially a curved line, where thickness is at minimum. Unmodified by man, dogs grow long sharp claws that naturally wear down to "hooks on the end" all on their own. The artificial cutting & grinding of dog claws may temporarily make them "more closely resemble nails" however, I concede that after somebody paints them with "purple nail polish" all bets are off! |
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