[LY909]

Hi Everyone,

How long is your dog's nails? Porter hates getting his nails clipped. I can only do 1 sneak attack per week and it is such a pain. He doesn't run away when he see the nail clipper because I always pair the nail clipping with super yummy treats (such as cheese which he loves). But it seems after 1 nail being clipped, he decided its not worth the cheese treats anymore.

His nails are black and super hard. I was told sometimes the cement sidewalks can wear down the nails so I don't have to clip as much. Does this work on basset nails since they are so thick? How long should nails be? Porter's nails is about 1/3 of an inch but they make the click click sound on my wood floors...I would welcome any nail tripping tips.

Thanks

 

[mhvonalmen8908]

I read somewhere on this forum that basset's nails don't wear down as much as other breeds do because their pads are so thick. So the nails seem a lot longer as a result. I take Doppler to the groomer's once a month and then take a little off at a time every week in order to make his shorter. But Virga's are pretty short and she's a puppy so it's easier to cut hers.

 

[SophieB]

We live in the country and beside the sea do mostly field, country lane and beach walking as it's nicer than roads and pavements, so their nails don't wear down. Mine hate having theirs done too and I sneak up on them and get one clipped and they then run round and round the kitchen table to avoid me.

I wish I'd taken heed of what my breeder/friend said when I got them at 9 weeks of age, which was to snip tiny amounts from their nails every week so that by the time their nails became big and strong, they would be well used to me clipping them... but of course I started it and didn't keep it up so we also have problems and bought a dremel and that helps to 'file' them down but takes ages!

I have seen some horrendously long nails on some YouTube clips and pictures on the PC but mine have never got that bad. If they're too long, it becomes painful for them to walk so I may get the dremel out today!

 

[Tuesday]

I get Gwenny's cut at a salon for $8.00. She doesn't allow me to do it, but doesn't mind someone else. I can even opt for a filing for an extra $2.00.

 

[Lightning&Stomps]

I wait until Lightning is deep asleep at night. I can usually get a couple of paws done at a time.

 

[Soundtrack]

Make sure the clippers are very sharp so that they cut the nail smoothly with little pressure. If you have to squeeze hard or if the clippers are not leaving a clean edge you need to get a sharper pair. Sometimes even brand new clippers are not sharp enough, I am very picky about my nail clippers.

If the nails are dry and brittle then it is better to clip them after a bath - soaking in the water will help to soften the nails somewhat.

Do the nails frequently. That way you only have to take a little bit and also it becomes part of the dog's routine and not as big a deal. If you're doing it yourself I recommend weekly, if you're having a groomer do it I recommend at least once a month.
If it's always a struggle between you and the dog, have a groomer do it - it usually is fairly cheap ($5-10) and they can normally get it done with a minimum of fuss. Vets usually charge more and are not usually as experienced at it (groomers cut nails all day long).

 

[Kirska]

How can you sharpen a pair of clippers? I bought the sharpest pair I could find based on reviews online but it still takes a man's hand strength to cut hers. I can't do it.

I absolutely hate cutting their nails. My mutt is a wuss and fake yelps on every nail so I'll let go long enough for him to run away (I can tell the difference between a real yelp and a "waaahhh that hurt" fake yelp for him...)

 

[LY909]

I plan to go to the homedepot this weekend to get one of those giant files and see if i can file porter's nails instead of using the clippers... i hope this works.

 

[Mikey T]

I plan to go to the homedepot this weekend to get one of those giant files

If the dog is not afraid of mild electrical motor noise many find a dremel or specialized tool that is basical the same thing to grind the dogs nails eaiser than clipping.

How I Dremel Dog Nails

You do need to be careful not to burn the dog however the grinding action can heat up the nail quickly if you do it for too long or apply to much pressure.

How can you sharpen a pair of clippers?

I don't think it can be done. The cost of a new pair of clippers is less than to have them professional sharpened and even that is hit or miss. Keep in mind that sharpness is only a small part of the equation in how hard a pair of clipper are to operate. The length of handles (i.e. leverage) and how they are built (mechanical advantage) are equally or more important. make sure the clippers are the proper size for the dog i.e. large.

I general opt for the miller forge large dog clipper orange handles only in a store never on line. Try them out for a smooth action. Many have tiny burrs that dramatically effect how they cut. Buy the two best pairs, Try each one out and keep the best one of the two and throw the other away. That is the state of clipper manufacturing today in mass produced chinese factories.

I got a pair of JW pet clippers with cushion grip handles with the foster puppy that work surprisingly well for a small handled clipper. The size does make then easier to do finer work if only they didn't have the stink'n nail guard. I can't for the life of me se what others see in them they are just alway in the way.

 

[Soundtrack]

if only they didn't have the stink'n nail guard. I can't for the life of me se what others see in them they are just alway in the way.

I would sell my soul for a decent nail clipper without the nail guard. However, I've developed a method of holding the clipper which holds the nail guard to one side (and the "stopper" as well - do we really need something to hold the clipper closed? Maybe to protect the blades, I guess.).

 

[Emma and Doris]

I have a couple of tips:

• If you have started clipping, never give up. They are like kids, when they see they can get away with it, they will always try.
• Never let it go too long between the clippings, the nerve will be too long so you can't take too much at the time.
• Don't clip everything at once, take a little bit at the time, like grawing.

Steinar, Emma and Doris

 

[Kirska]

I general opt for the miller forge large dog clipper orange handles only in a store never on line. Try them out for a smooth action. Many have tiny burrs that dramatically effect how they cut. Buy the two best pairs, Try each one out and keep the best one of the two and throw the other away. That is the state of clipper manufacturing today in mass produced chinese factories.

That's the kind that I bought and it works well for my mutt that has smaller nails (beagle sized probably) but Anabelle's nails are very brittle, which I imagine is a result of her being on such a terrible diet for so long before we had her. Sometimes they just fall apart when you clip them and even worse sometimes they crack. I don't do them because I don't have the hand strength. My husband does.

I tried the electronic "quick finder" kind once and they were terrible, definitely don't recommend them.