Quote: Cathy Goessman

 Quote: Robert overbeek

Wow...a dremal? Yee ha, I tried using one on my big toe nail..ONCE..holy cow that got HOT fast!!! Guess dogs are lucky.

Were you using the grinding stone? Those get too hot for a dogs nail. I verified that the sanding band weren't too hot by doing one of my own nails. Not bad at all as long as contact is brief.

This is an important point about using the Dremel. Use the sanding bands, only, not any of the other attachments! Also, use it on low speed. On higher speed, you run the risk of taking off too much at once (and thus maybe hitting the quick) or creating too much heat from the friction. In fact, I'm going to have to replace my current many-years-old Dremel because it no longer works on the lowest speeds. Each dog is an individual and some may be able to tolerate slightly higher speeds, but with a dog new to Dremeling, always start out with a low speed.

Again, you are just touching it briefly to the nail, maybe one to two seconds, pause, one to two seconds, pause, until it is getting to the length you want, then go in even shorter increments.

This article is an oldie-but-goodie. It's long, but if you're new to the idea of using a Dremel on your dogs' nails, it's well worth the time it takes to read! Some of us may differ on one or two minor points, but this is an overall safe and painless method.

http://www.bestfriendsddc.com/nails.html

P.S. I have accidentally hit my own fingernails while doing the dogs' nails. It's not too hot or painful, but it leaves them kind of rough. For a nice finish on my own nails, I'll take a good crystal nail file any day. In fact, I have been known to use a human nail file to get at a tricky "hangnail" on a dog.

"In fact, I have been known to use a human nail file to get at a tricky "hangnail" on a dog."


Yep! I've used an emery board to "get" any rough dog-claw that suddenly starts catching at the carpet.

I keep a bunch of them around all the time. An emery board can keep a claw from making contact with the pad during any delay before the "real" manicure.

I've used the Dremel on dog nails for years. The only dogs I had where I didn't use them were my Kerry Blues. Just to much coat around their feet to chance a tangle.
My dad was a tool and die maker so I have a huge selection of files and a number of them are great for touching up the nails to avoid getting to close with the Dremel.

With my friend's Golden, we used to put the foot of a lady's pair of panyhose over her foot and push the nails through. Then it was easy to use a dremel and not catch any hair.

Edited by Debbie Martin (06/28/2014 01:26 PM)
Edit reason: spelling

I've heard of that but just never tried it.

"With my friend's Golden, we used to put the foot of a lady's pair of panyhose over her foot and push the nails through. Then it was easy to use a dremel and not catch any hair."

"I've heard of that but just never tried it."

Yep, that's mentioned in the link I posted above. Sounds like an interesting idea, but I've never tried it either since I've had short-coated dogs for so long. Maybe something like cheesecloth would work, too.

 Quote: Kelly

I was a groomer for many years. I was trained by a Master Groomer. She taught me how to grind nails WITHOUT hitting the quick.
All just my opinion and experience, take it for what it is...

Difference in training.
Sorry for being gone off leer for a week. Been busy learning. Ill talk to you in pm.
Funny thing is after this thread i decided to talk to other non local groomers. I got many different responses. Some agreeing with me, and some saying never clip a quick they will bleed and cry.

All i can chalk it down to is its the way i have been taught. And it has been working well. You are not the only one who knows a master groomer. We have multiple master groomers in the family even. Its not like i come from nowhere, and im cutting nails all the way off. :P
And seeing as dogs do not cry in my care unless i pull ears, use blowers, crate them.
And i haven't had a dog cry, nor excessively bleed, or get infection, when i "nip the quick". Heck return dogs lay down and have a nap when i clip.
All i knew last week was what i was taught works. And its half the time for these quicks to recede with these dogs in pain from the snail nails, than it is just clipping before the quicks. So i never doubted a thing by thinking some people do not believe in this or that way of clipping. I just got it done.

My final verdict...
I think i will continue what i do. Have not had any troubles. Heck my own dog's nails had been bad, i brought them back myself. She SLEEPS through her nail clipping. And with the backup of the customers dogs napping through nail clippings... i will keep what i have learned in mind. Some groomers like one way, some another.
I suppose its like the clicker training only person, vs the prong or ecollar user advocate. We all have our ways.

 Quote: Bob Scott

I've used the Dremel on dog nails for years. The only dogs I had where I didn't use them were my Kerry Blues. Just to much coat around their feet to chance a tangle.
My dad was a tool and die maker so I have a huge selection of files and a number of them are great for touching up the nails to avoid getting to close with the Dremel.

"

I DID get a dremel stuck in my hair once. I got "scolded" real bad for "playing" with tools.
I like the battery operated ones. They stop when hair is caught. (not that i have tested it.)

Edited by Brianah Maloney (06/29/2014 11:30 PM)
Edit reason: i always try to minimalize my posts because it always seems like i rant way too long and its this huge page that nobody has time to read.

 Quote: Robert overbeek

In fact, I'm going to have to replace my current many-years-old Dremel because it no longer works on the lowest speeds.

Dremel for sale? Is it any good?

 Quote: Brianah Maloney

 Quote: Robert overbeek

In fact, I'm going to have to replace my current many-years-old Dremel because it no longer works on the lowest speeds.

Dremel for sale? Is it any good?

That's a quote from me, not from Robert. Nah, I don't want to sell it. If it's quitting on the lower speeds, it probably won't be long before it doesn't work at all. I think its best days are over, unfortunately.