Tricks for trimming nails ?

[nwnick]

Got a 2 1/2 year old GSP with black nails, anybody have any tricks/tips for trimming them without drawing blood ?
It was so much easier to trim them when she was a pup

Thanks

[SpinoneIllinois]

One tip: Sometimes the dog will struggle less and be less scared if you lift the leg backward, instead of forward. Sort of like the way a horse's shoes are done.
And when you're looking at the nail from the underside, it's easier to tell how much is safe to clip.

[BellaSpinone]

We use a dremel tool with medium 180 grit at low speed. And lift leg backwards. We do ours on a grooming table.

[Munster]

yup, dremmel. But not constant. Touch, remove, touch, remove.

[BellaSpinone]

Yea, I forgot to mention that. I test on my own nails. It heats up pretty fast. I am doing six dogs at a time, it becomes a production line. I bet there is a YouTube on it.

[RayGubernat]

I typically use a dremel type tool as well. It does make it easy to do a nice job, including back grinding and rounding the top of the nail. The heat of the grinding seems to make the quick retreat as well.

One thing I pay attention to when I trim using a cutter is the "brittleness" or softness of the nail. I have found that the dead nail area is pretty stiff and hard and as one approaches the quick, the nail material gest softer and easier to slice into. When using a cutter on black nails, I typically do multiple thin cuts.

The other thing I find with my guys is that the inside nails and outside nails are usually worn the most with the two center nails worn the least.

RayG

[Vision]

Go hunting in rocky country.

[nwnick]

tried the dremmel Sunday after using the trimmer on her to soften the sharp edges and folded her legs backwards as suggested. I found by putting her hind legs over my knee when kneeling worked much easier for control.
She's still a touch anxious but better then before

We'll be running the rimrock the weekend after Christmas

Thanks for the tips

Nick

[bobman]

I use the dremel and after I trim I give them a milk bone, picture 7 dogs waiting in line, wanting to get their nails trimmed and then running to the counter I keep the milk bone box on

[Georgia Boy]

I have conditioned my dogs to lay on their side with their head down while I trim their nails. Also makes it easy to check their undercarriage and feet after hunting.

[Vision]

[quote="nwnick" We'll be running the rimrock the weekend after Christmas Nick[/quote]

Run in rimrock once a week and you will never trim another dogs toenails the rest of your life.