Riitta Wilmot Webboard User Reg: 09-17-2008
Posts: 20
Loc: Central Finland
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Hi, my Logan's (16months old GSD bitch)nails a long and slender and ofcourse jet black. I have no problem with her when it comes to trimming nails, she has always been good. The problem I now have is upon checking under the nails it seems I have only 2mm of nail I can clip safely. I remember my 2 previous GSD bitches also had quite long nails, so is just a GSD thing to have longer nails compared to say a LAB?
I just definately DO NOT want to clip the nail too much causing her discomfort and loose the trust she has in me.
So Im hoping for replies from GSD owners and any advice will be well appreciated.
Thanks
I've only had 2 different breeds of dogs (GSD and Mal), so I don't know if GSDs have longer nails than other breeds.
My sense is that you can get a handle on the length of your GSD's nails by consistently trimming upto the "quick." I also don't think you can do this from just looking under the dog's nail. What you're seeing is the "meat" of the nail, which is the soft part that, when exposed, will harden to become the dark black "shell".
I do my Mal's nails twice a week while my wife distracts him with a kong full of peanut butter (frozen - it lasts longer that way). Now that I've figured out exactly what I'm looking for in the nail, I can tell when I'm right up to the edge of the quick.
I think if you follow Dawn's instructions, you'll get your GSD's nails under control in no time.
Riitta Wilmot Webboard User Reg: 09-17-2008
Posts: 20
Loc: Central Finland
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Thank you Kurt,
Wow, I would have never thought of using Dremel and hubby just happens to have one (some sweet talking needed to get permission from him ).I have just had a read on the link you suggested and will start to get Logan accustomed to Dremel slowly.
Thank you also explaining about the "meat" under the claw,not being the quick, but just the newer nail material growing.
I now feel confident that soon I will get Logans nails better and shorter and she will feel happier too.
Thanks a lot again, Riitta
Riitta Wilmot Webboard User Reg: 09-17-2008
Posts: 20
Loc: Central Finland
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Hi Alyssa,
Thanks for the comments on my written English I can manage to write using better grammar when absolutely necessary,he he! (most of the time just cant be asked!)
Point taken about using Dremel with extreme care.Maybe 3 seconds at the time? I spent an hour or so yesterday reading about getting the dog accustomed to the apparatus first. I will start that part of the program today (as my darling hubby has given permission for me to use his precious Dremel!)and for now just trim the tips of her nails using clippers.
I was surprised to read on Kurts reply, that he does his MAL's nails every week? I find that rather frequent, I do Logans nails once a month, maybe Im in the wrong here.Please let me know if thats the case. Best wishes, Riitta
I was surprised to read on Kurts reply, that he does his MAL's nails every week? I find that rather frequent, I do Logans nails once a month, maybe Im in the wrong here.Please let me know if thats the case.
It's like so many other things in dogs...personal preference.
I like to keep my GSDs nails very short. This made a big difference especially when we were competing in agility, where you want as much contact on the equipment surfaces with their pads as possible, for traction, and to prevent nail injuries.
I do her nails weekly, with a mini-Dremel. If I can hear her nails clicking on a hard floor, they are way too long<g>.
I have a friend, an agility competitor and judge, who loves to hear those clicks and keeps all her dogs' nails long. It would make me nuts on a lot of levels.
I also can't stand nails that click on the floor and grind mine every weekend. I have a grooming box, nothing special, just a box, that I trim toes on. I have my dogs stand on it while I trim and make it a happy place for them so they tend to get all excited when they see it. I teach all my fosters to stand there for nail trims too. It takes only about two sessions before they really get it.
As I do get in fosters all the time, I see a lot of extremely long nails. I don't ever use a clipper as the dremel will take it right down and if the dog wiggles at the wrong moment, I don't have to worry about accidentally hitting the quik. I use the coarsest sandpaper possible and have at it. The faster you grind down the nail, the less you have to worry about heat or the dog moving. They will let you know if you get too close to the quik as it will start to hurt.
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Have GSD's normally a rather long nail?
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Re: Have GSD's normally a rather long nail?
).I have just had a read on the link you suggested and will start to get Logan accustomed to Dremel slowly.
I can manage to write using better grammar when absolutely necessary,he he! (most of the time just cant be asked!)
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