i am attempting to keep nails short.
try to do weekly.
i use a dremel grinder with the rough paper.

he clearly does not like this i only have nicked him twice but he was jumpy prior to being nicked.
wondering if the shorter i go close to the quick the more irritating it is for him or does he just not like the trimming at all.

i have to lean on top of him to keep him still.

heard that eventually they get used to it and do not resist as much.

I don't know why you're trimming so often. Once a month should be sufficient. My dogs don't care for having their nails clipped, but will put up with it because I make them, and I always give them a treat after. Same goes with the ear cleaning. I do have to physically hold them while doing these things, but I got my dogs as adults, and they probably didn't have regular grooming as youngsters.

If I remember correctly you have a pup right?

Keep doing it often and keep in mind that if you hold the dremel on the nail too long it causes heat from the friction. Short quick strokes are what you should be doing, not bearing down hard. They do eventually get over the squirming and while some will never "like" it, they will tolerate it.

The cool part of a dremel is that you can see the quick BEFORE you hit it. With a dog with dark nails this is a major +. When grinding the nails you will see a small white triangle, when you see this stop. The quick will recede and if your dogs nails are too long you can do them every couple of days to get them nice and short like they should be.

DOBE, yes clipping or filing the nails once a week is really not necessary. The nails don't grow that much. The only good about doing it once a week is that you get the dog used to being handled. Having a dog that needs to have a considerable amount of maintenance, I needed to get into a good grooming routine. Establishing a routine where the dog stands still for grooming, nail clipping, etc. can take time depending on the dog's temperament.

If your dog is struggling I suggest ditching the Dremel (it's probably the noise) and use an emery board to file the rough edges. Do only one paw at a time and reward. BUT the dog MUST stand still for all grooming procedures, no ifs, ands or buts. Designating a single area for brushing, nail trimming is a good idea. You have a very easy to groom breed. Don't make a huge issue out of the nail thing. Never hold your dog down for any procedure, they'll only hate it more.

In the meantime do a lot of paw work. Touch your pups paws all the time and manipulate his toes, but reward only if he stands stills no matter how short. Eventually he'll get the idea and you'll be able to do all 4 at a time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

OK, yes, if you have a pup you would want to do it more often, not because he neccessarily needs it, but to get him used to it. Also, if it seems that the dremel is causing too much stress, you could try a file. For dark nails, you can get a good idea of how much to be taking off with experience.

I wouldn't agree NEVER hold your dog down. Ideally, you do want them to learn to accept certain things, but there are times where you have to use restraint to get the job done. The important thing in using restraint is to avoid a wrestling match! Make sure that you know how to properly restrain the dog, and reward him when he relaxes under your restraint. It's all in how you do it.

I defy anyone to show me a dog that will allow you to apply eye drops with no restraint!!!

There were 3 dogs sitting in the vets office. A lab, boxer, and doberman. The boxer said to the lab why are you here. The lab replied my owner is having me euphemized. I keep barking at everything and they can’t sleep.The neighbors are complaining I just can’t help myself. The lab asked the boxer why are you here. The boxer replied, I keep digging in the back yard and it looks like mine field. When my owner brougt me inside I dug a hole in the new sofa. I can’t help myself so they are having me euphemized. They both look at the dobe and said why are you here. The dobe replied I cant help myself I’m young my hormones are in full swing and I have to hump on everything and everyone. This morning was horrible my master came out of the tub and dropped her towel and when she went to pick it up I was humping on her. With sad eyes the dogs looked at him and said so you are going to get euphemized. The dobe said no way I’m here for a nail trim.

Milt

thanks for the quick responses.
yes he is a bit over 5 months.

the nails seem like they grow pretty fast. i would like to keep them short instead of trying to get them short at some point.

sometimes you can smell the burning nail.
i have recently started doing quick hits with the dremel. seems to work better.

i can see the white triangle you describe but it seems i can go shorter on the top where the quick doesnt seem to go up that high.

i tried using a regular pet clipper but i nicked him on my first attempt. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> he squirmed when using that as well.

he doesnt mind having his ears taped or cleaned. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

i will handle his paws and toes more often to get him used to touching that area. if i dont hold him down off to the vet he goes and they will hold him down, so i guess either way he needs to get the nails trimmed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

question: how old before the nails begin to slow down? and how short should they be 1/2"?

Yes you can go more on top than on bottom and this also will help with making the quick recede.

How short really depends on what you are planning to do with the dog. Show Dobes have virtually NO nails. Keeping them ultra short helps to attain the "cat-like" paws that they look for.(OMG I said the "S" word)

If you are just going to work the dog then the rule of thumb is that the dogs nails should not be clicking on the floor when he walks around. Not too many people hold to this rule, but it is there for a reason. Dogs that are allowed to have overgrown toenails can have all kinds of problems. Dislocated toes, ingrown nails, lovely pad infections, etc. etc. etc. You will find that a majority of dogs DO NOT enjoy having their toenails trimmed, but doing it regularly when they are young makes the job much easier when they are older.

Back in my days of grooming I hated to see the dogs that no one touched for the first 8 months and then they were dropped off for me to do everything all in one shot. It is not fair to the dog. Establishing a pattern now will make the dog more tolerant in the years to come. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

ok Chuck, what are you smiling at?