I need advice on nail trimming...
Like... how often do they need to be trimmed? And... does anyone have any detailed, up-close photos of corgi nails trimmed correctly? I read somewhere that if his nails are clicking on the floor, they are too long (but not sure if I agree with this).
His nails are somewhat long, but... on the clear nails, it appears as if the quick is very close to the end of them, and I'm afraid to even touch the black nails! I really don't want to hurt my baby...
Does anyone have any advice?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I disagree that the dog picks up on your nervousness. I am not at all nervous about doing nails. My cat hardly protests, I have one dog who will try to wriggle loose but does not look nervous, just not particularly fond of it but will comply. My other dog is awful, absolutely awful and always has been since he's a puppy. After months of very consistent work using marker words and treats, I can do his back paws and have finally gotten to the point where I can touch a not-running Dremmel to his front paws.
It's not a matter of confidence. I approach nails the same way I do grooming or ear cleaning or teeth-brushing, all of which he's good about. Some dogs have very poor tolerance for being held still for ANY reason and these dogs will not be good about nails.
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Renee, do you happen to have a picture of your dogs "done" nails? The reason I ask is because every site I see that says if your dogs' nails are clicking they are too long, then goes to show a picture of a "properly trimmed" dog whose nails would clearly click on hardwood floors. The way the nail grows out of the toe bed and the breakover of the foot would cause the nails to click on every picture I've seen. So if yours do not click, I'm curious to see what that would look like, as I have not been able to find a good frame of reference.
My girl's nails had just been done by her breeder/owner/handler when we got her a little over a year ago, and her nails clicked on my hardwood floors when we brought her in.
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Permalink Reply by Renee Kovacs on
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Beth - first, let me clarify that I was speaking in general terms. To be more concise, I should say that while most dogs will feed off our emotional energy, there are surely dogs that just do not want their feet messed with (or ears, or ...whatever!). If you're nervous, it's not likely to work in your favor - if you're NOT nervous, it doesn't discount that any particular dog might have their own little quirks.
I don't have a close-up picture, but I'll try and add it to the To Do list. =) They're not 'too' short, as you sometimes see on dogs that run a lot on cement.
Also to comment on nails shrinking as they dry - I've never seen any noticable shrinkage. As long as the quick isn't cut into (i.e. as long as you don't draw blood), there wouldn't be any pain. Groomers always cut the nails after the bath and it really does prevent splitting (provided the cutters are sharp).
As for the pain involved when you do cut into the quick - it's an ouch, but it really isn't into a heart-attack range. One vet I worked for used to do two things for every dog that had surgery - after the surgery, and while the dog was still 'out', we would cut their nails & clean their teeth (no charge). I loved that guy, he really loved animals. If the dog's nails were ridiculous - we'd cut them to a proper length - quick be damned. The dog didn't feel it (still under), we'd cauterize - never EVER saw a dog even notice, once they woke. Not from the moment they stood up was there ever, ever a single issue. The reason he did this - obviously, the owner wasn't going to ammend the situation, and this would shorten the quick and at least buy the dog some comfortable time.
To be CLEAR, I'm not saying "so go ahead and cut the quick"! It DOES hurt, just as it hurts you when you do the same thing to your own fingernail.
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Permalink Reply by Misti, Guinness and Finnegan on
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Just a quick word of advice on #2 - just make sure to not cut them too short. The nails swell up from the water, and will shrink back down as they dry out. If they are cut too short, they will be extremely painful once they dry out and shrink up.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Renee, good tips, point 5 is EXCELLENT!
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Permalink Reply by Jane on
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I trim my dogs' nails at least every week and they still click on the floor somewhat. I've been trying to get the quicks to recede but haven't had much luck so far. I'm already cutting his nails quite close to the quick so I don't know how I can get them any shorter without actually hurting him. :/
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Yep, I've been doing Maddie's every five days or so and they still clickety clackety.
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Permalink Reply by Mickey on
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Without a doubt, the best advice my breeder gave me was to use the dremel to trim nails. Never having had a dog, much less a wonderous corgi, I would not have known what to do. She showed me the trick of having Sophie on her back between my legs, with her head in my lap (like Carrie said earlier). The one piece of advice that I would pass on is to get into the habit of doing nails once a week and keep them as short as possible. Sadly, I see so many corgis with too long nails and left alone can be very uncomfortable for them to walk.
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Permalink Reply by Kari & Quin on
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I am so glad that I decided to start using the dremel ( I just use my husbands) We always had to have 2 people to cut nails and it was a pain she would fight so hard and now I can do it all by my self:) I plan on doing it every week I do one foot at a time so she doesn't get too nervous. Hopefully after awhile she will just sit for it:) And I am not afraid I am going to cut too far cause once you hurt them it is all over they wont sit still again.
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Permalink Reply by Alex on
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I use a dremel now. I started out with nail clippers but I'm afraid that if he moves a bit I might cut too much.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa and Odie on
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Now I am REALLY having some problems... I have both a Dremel and the guillotine-type clippers, but have not really been able to use them. I clipped Odie's back nails while he was sleeping (the way they do on their backs!) but once I tried to get to his front feet, he fought me. I have tried desensitizing him, giving him treats to get used to the clippers, etc. etc. etc. (everything I could find on the internet for help), but he just does NOT want me to clip his nails. At one point, even tried to have my husband hold him while I tried to clip... Odie bit me and cried the whole time I tried. I do not want to traumatize him! But, don't want to have to take him to Petsmart or the vet and make them deal with it either... will not muzzle or sedate him unless I get to the point where I absolutely have to... my next attempt at clipping his nails will be this weekend when I give him a bath... I figure that he will be so freaked out about the bath that he won't mind his paws being messed with! Any further advice on this???
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