Clipping nails?

Question

I know this is an odd question, but i have a 9 yr old German Sheperd, and i CANT clip her nails cause she trys to bite, i have tried so much , the vet has tried a few times and refuses to try again cause she bites. We have put muzzels on her and tried to treat her while were doing it but she WILL NOT let us clip them lol it is so bad. They are pretty long right now but not extremely long. But if they get too long is there something that could be wrong at all..or does anyone have ANY advice at all on to help me clip them. The vet said he wouldnt sedate her so that he can clip them but...lol im desperate...any help would be really appriciated. Thanks

Answer 1

Nail clipping is very important. If the nails get too long it is painful for the dog to walk on his toes like they are supposed to. So to stop the pain from their nails hitting the ground they fall back on their pads and that is called, 'padding'.

Padding will throw out the alignment of both shoulders and hips and cause bone and joint problems in the future.

I have had to deal with a few dogs like yours and it can be very difficult and dangerous. The way I look at it is that there is a job to be done and I am going to do it. My attitude makes a difference. I am showing dominance cause he is in my shop and he is not on sure ground.

The problem comes to, 'where is the quick?'. Nails that have been allowed to grow have a long quick that grows with the nail and trying to cut just short of that may leave the nail still too long. But cutting anymore would mean cutting into the quick which causes pain. Probably one of the reasons yours hates it so bad.

What I do is get the owner and an assistance hold the dogs head between them secure enough to not allow him to turn his head. If everyone would feel better if he were muzzled then muzzle him.
I want to get in, get the job done, and get out of the way. Make it quick without arguing with dog.

Part of her fear is the fight to get them done, another is fear of the pain that she remembers, another is her not on home ground, she is just plain scared! ! She is what we call a 'fear biter'.

There has been many a time I cut into the quick and, damn it, it hurt me too, but most dogs don't complain. They are tough.

Cut them as close as you dare and let it go til the next time. In the mean time you can work on them with a metal file, if she will let you touch her feet. LOL

OH, and touch and manipulate her toes. Just while she and you both are relaxed. Make it play or something. This will condition her to having her feet handled, kinda reasuring her that not all toe or foot touches hurt.

Answer 2

Sorry you're having such a problem getting your pup's nails trimmed. As a vet. tech, I know how tough it can be on unwilling participants!!
We have a few pets that come in for nail trims that are a danger to themselves as well as everyone around them, so our vet does use a very short acting sedative, we get to trim the nails safely, and then the pet is given a sedation reversal agent and is awake and walking within a couple of minutes. It is very safe, and the pet is much happier having not known what they were at the Vets for!!

Apart from having the vet give her a short acting sedation, there are a couple other methods you could try at home:

1. Have the vet give you a tranquilizer (such as Acepromazine tablet) about 30-45 mins before you plan on getting the nail clippers out. Have someone keep her attention from what you are about to do, then, as she's more relaxed and lying down, just soothe her, stroke her legs for awhile until she is comfortable with you touching her feet, then trim one nail at a time, trimming a little at a time, especially if they are dark nails, taking care not to cut into the quick (vein) - which will hurt, and bleed. (this may be why she has such a phobia) If you do cut into the quick, have some QuikStop powder handy (from the pet store) or if you have none, use cornflour from your baking supplies. It may take a while to trim them all, but hopefully she will be relaxed enough without trying to bite.
On light coloured nails, the quick is visible, (a pink streak in the middle) so be sure not to cut too close. As always, take off a little at a time.

2. The second way is to use a very rough emery board and file them as best you can. Again, this is time consuming, but she may tolerate this more than the feeling of the clippers.

Walking her on concrete/apshalt daily will also help keep those nails down (not the dewclaws though), and it'll be great exercise for her and for you!!
The shorter you keep her nails, the quick will actually retract back towards the toe, making them easier to trim without making them bleed.

Wishing you lots of patience and persistence!! Good luck!

Answer 3

Usually putting a muzzle on the animal and gently restraining them isn't the only thing. Treats only do good for dogs who are trained. When she's muzzled and being restrained, try talking to her and petting her, and stay right by her side. Don't make any sudden movements, and make sure she can see YOUR hands at all times. Try to keep her occupied, use words that she recognizes, like if she perks up at the words "treat" or "good dog." This is usually the only way to clip a dogs nails like this, since she won't allow you or the vet to do it even when she's muzzled, you have to do something. If her nails start breaking off it can be very painful for her, and cause infection if they break off and bleed. If your vet is that afraid of the very beings that they studied to help take care of, then you might want to try another vet. None of my vets were ever afraid of any size dog, they muzzled them and clipped their nails as quickly as possible without hurting them.

Answer 4

You may try getting someone to help you. Get a muzzle and wrap a towel around her neck and have your friend hold her tight around the neck using the towel to protect themselves.

Also, your vet may give you some meds to sedate her (just enough to make her real tired) this may help take some of the fight out of her.

Try not to let them go too long as they will be hard to cut and easier to cause them to start bleeding. If this happens it will be painful for her and will make matters worse.

Good Luck

Answer 5

My dog is AWFUL! I totally understand. Often times when he's getting his teeth cleaned or has any reason to go under they clip his nails short so we don't have to do it for a while.

I'd use a muzzle, calming pills (all natural), and a couple strong people to put her on her side and clip. Buy some nice clippers believe me it makes a difference.

Answer 6

When my last dog got old, and more sensitive about nail clipping, I finally got a Dremmel (it lightly sands the dogs nail tips), and wondered why I hadn't bought one years ago! It is so much better than clippers. You just have to get them used to the sound and vibration, but there is less danger of cutting to the quick and it is much more comfortable for dog and owner alike.

I bought it from a Pet supply catalog.

Answer 7

Call around to some dog groomers and see if you find one that is up to the challenge but describe what your dog does. Some groomers have sufficient restraints to enable them to clip the nails. Once your dog gets used to it and if the dog's nails are clipped by someone who is not clipping them too short making them bleed, your dog will be less aggressive.

Answer 8

i know that if they get too long they can break off and they can bleed. My mom's dog wont let us clip them but will let the vet

Answer 9

I've heard that some people (with dogs that don't like their nails being clipped) use a dremel on their dog's nails. The links below show you how.

http://homepages.udayton.edu/~merensjp/doberdawn/dremel/dremel.html

http://www.bigdogboutique.com/ProductCart/pc/dremel_nails.html

Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Try to distract her in different ways...maybe with a toy. Put a handkerchief or something similar over her eyes so she will not see what will happen next