Posted by D Sherman [72.47.153.24] on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 20:12:16 :
In Reply to: OT, hog tie my dog to trim her toe nails? posted by chris case [75.36.47.195] on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 19:43:19 :
Dogs normally don't like their feet messed with, it sounds like yours might have been traumatized by someone cutting them before and cutting into the quick (the live part in the middle). That hurts them just like jamming something up under your fingernail would hurt you. You have to be careful not to cut the quick. If they have black toenails, it's pretty hard, but with white ones you can see the pink part inside. Best bet is if you're not sure, cut less. The main thing the first time is to reassure the dog that she'll survive the operation.
I actually use this old "Resco" dog nail trimmer that's still in its original box. It says "The new Resco nail trimmer" and "Your dog's friend" on it. It works good. Don't know if they still make them, but I'm sure they make something similar. It came from my grandpa who used it on his hounds. I guess when he got old, they didn't get enough cougar-hunting in to keep their toenails worn down.
Yeah, you can pay the vet to do it, but I'm cheap. The other approach is just let the dog out to run a lot and keep them worn down. I don't see any wolves or coyotes getting pedicures.
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