Anyone have any advice for a bulldog owner whose dog is impossible when I trim her nails?

Question

I have had dogs all my life, but my bulldog (1 year old)is one of a kind when it comes to this! She freaks out so badly and we can barely hold her in place, not to mention she sounds like we are torturing her. We have introduced her to the clippers, tried to do it quickly, tried it slowly...nothing is working...help! I fear our only alternative is a sedative.

Answer 1

One easy way to cut a bad dog's nails is to run his sturdy leash through a chain link fence (around the post) and pull him
up snug against it. You pretty much have to use a choke collar - not to choke him, but to keep him from backing out of the collar.Then, just keep clear of his teeth and trim away. Try to make it as pleasant as possible for him - give him treats, don't cut into the quick, praise him when he's not trying to bite you. We did this with the guard dogs that sometimes stayed at our kennel and no one ever go bit. I prefer not to tranquilize a dog unless absolutely necessary.

If your neighbors think you are killing the dog because of the racket she makes, it's best to take her to the groomers or a vet.

Answer 2

Try not putting the clippers away. Leave them by her food dish, by her bed, near you (but don't touch them, at first) while you cuddle her. If she sees them every day it will stop the immediate fear response when you get them out of where ever you keep them.
Before you attempt clipping and while she is getting used to seeing the clippers turn up all over the house, start petting her feet. Do it a couple of times a day, while you are cuddling together or playing. Get a hold of each one, gently squeeze, play with all the toes, and give her a treat and praise her for being so brave. You want her to start associating her feet with food and all good things.
Gradually start picking up the clippers, showing them to her, then putting them down again, no treat, this is just to get her used to seeing you with the hated clippers, and not being "attacked" by them. Then, pick up the clippers and pet her at the same time. Then, pet her with the clippers, going slowly toward her feet. This shouldn't take as long as it seems. Maybe 2-3 weeks.
Finally, attempt clipping. Start when she is sleepy, and cuddling close to you, don't make a big deal out of picking up the clippers, sliding your hand down her leg, gently squeeze the foot (so far, nothing new, nothing scary) and quickly clip one nail. Praise her like crazy!!! She did it!! Good Girl!! Food reward!! She may freak out, if she does, let her go and try another nail tomorrow.
It will take some time but it's worth it in the end.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Train the dog slowly by working up to it. Repeat each step at least several times. Show the clippers, treat. Touch the dogs foot with the clippers, treat. Pretend to clip the nails, treat. Actually clip one, treat. Pretty soon the clippers mean treats and the dog will tolerate the minor inconvenience if it means getting a good treat.

Answer 4

Your Bulldog will probably always have a problem with this...I have owned several Bulldogs and have never experienced a problem with clipping their nails. It's very unusual. Bull dogs are normally really laid back. I would suggest having the vet clip the nails or using a sedative. My vet clips my dogs nails so quickly, he hardly knows anything has happened.

Answer 5

I would have a Pro Groomer do it! They are going to know how to do it best. Your dog is the same as my dog. I let the Groomer do it and we have no problem. Plus I live on a farm he runs them down.
If you try and do it quick or slow they will develope fear- then they will be scared of almost everything. If you can get her out and take walks on rough serfaces that is also very good. Or you can just leave them and they should be fine. That is what my dog trainer instructor does with her dogs.
Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Have you tried rolling her on her side or back (passive position). Get her used to this position when you do not have the clippers. When I clip my huge German Shepherds nails, I put her in this position and stradle her (I'm 5'3"), grab one paw firmly and go at it. She may try to pull away, but hold it firmly. Have you ever cut them too short and hurt her? If this is the case, any vet, groomer, etc can do it for about $10.

Answer 7

The Dremel works best !! Please DO NOT listen to someone who will tell you to use a choker to restrain your Bulldog. If they pull & struggle you can collaps their Trachea.

Using sedatives with this breed can be very dangerous if not deadly. I've owned & bred Bulldogs for 10 years.

Trust me on this , go to this link. On the left bottom side is a link to How to Dremel your dogs nails. Follow the directions step by step. I have used this method myself IT WORKS !! My Bulldogs sleep right through it no seditives or restraints.

Good Luck & if you have any further questions PLEASE feel free to contact me.

Answer 8

My bullies are not crazy about have there nails cut either. Watch any sedative's with the bulldog they can get too relaxed and stop breathing.

Answer 9

If you insist on doing it yourself, as I do, get someone to help you. My husband and I have to tag-team our bulldog. We both sit with her on the couch, and we both hold onto her. But, one of us talks to her and tells her doggie jokes, and the other does the clipping. It's tiring doing the distracting, but it usually works pretty well. If it doesn't, then I get out the treats. She likes carrots.

I'd take her to a vet before I took her to a pet store. I've seen them treat dogs pretty rough in those stores. (Mainly my local PetCo.) That's just personal experience, though. Could be different in your area...

Answer 10

My vet suggested a very small does of benedryl to "calm" my lab - maybe that could help you? Then there's always the option of letting a pro do it for you. Take her to a groomer or somewhere like PetSmart, they've got all kinds of methods for getting those nails clipped.