New old dog: it's love again.

I used to use that type of nail trimmer with my 2 cats. It's easy when the nails are clear or not solid black like my Border Collie's are. I tried it and not happy with that type. Looking to see if the rotating wheel-sanding type will be practical and effective.

Lots of people seem happy with that Drimmel that files down the nails. It has fairly good reviews on AMAZON.

I bought this and do not recommend it. I bought it at Petco and wound up returning it, unused, both because it was too clumsy for me to hold easily, and because of all the negative reviews I read on Amazon after I purchased it.
http://www.amazon.com/MiracleCorp-Products-QuickFinder-Deluxe-Clipper/dp/B001ERJBFI

My dog has black nails which always made me petrified about trying to trim them, and so I just let the groomer do it. But recently I wasn't able to take her to the groomer for awhile and her nails had gotten long.
I finally found a nail trimmer that was easy for me to hold, and that is made for a smallish dog, and I worked up the nerve to do it, and she was far more cooperative with me than she has been with the Vet when I've watched him do it--she really fights him, pulls hard to get away from him, tries to jump off the table, etc, all the while screaming frantically (she's a tad dramatic ). She was a little angel with me, she let me pick up her paws and do each nail without any fuss at all. Her nails aren't difficult to cut, they are relatively thin, and I just took off a tiny bit at a time and kept checking the cut edge to see if the center part of the nail looked white, and I used that as my guide to how much more I could cut off. There are a number of YouTube videos, and good articles with photos, that tell you how you can judge if you are getting close to the quick when you cut black nails.

I was very proud of myself that I was able to get the job done without hurting her, and proud of her that she was so good about it. A lot does depend on whether the dog will hold still and let you do it carefully.

I'm unclear about what type trimmer you are using that you like? Is it the Dremel type?

No, I wound up using a regular blade-type canine nail trimmer. Sorry if I sounded confusing.

Originally, because I was afraid to cut her nails, I bought this
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3400182&utm_source=googleproduct&utm_campaign=5139046&utm_medium=cse&mr:trackingCode=59056664-C881-DE11-B712-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA
That really didn't look good enough, or well made enough, to do the job, so I never used it.

I also bought this and didn't use it.
http://www.amazon.com/MiracleCorp-Products-QuickFinder-Deluxe-Clipper/dp/B001ERJBFI

I wound up buying a small blade-type regular nail trimmer, and that's what I finally used.

But I also checked out the Dremel on Amazon in case I wasn't able to do the job properly with the regular nail trimmer, or in case my dog had not let me trim her nails with the regular clipper--and it did get good reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Dremel-7300-PT-4-8-Volt-Pet-Grooming/dp/B003TU0XG4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1335821053&sr=1-1

I was really in a panic about cutting her nails, which is why I bought so many different things to try.

But, since my dog was very cooperative, and I was able to cut her nails with a regular blade-type trimmer, without a problem, I didn't order the Dremel. But the Dremel does sound good.

Thanks for your info. That review helped.

When Brady's nails get too long (after 4-6 weeks), I really have to have them cut. If I wait too long, then when I go to the park and runs to fetch the ball, he hurts his paws. I think the nails cause him sores on his paws or in between.

I'll check out the Dremel type and see how I do. I just brought him back from the Vet. While there he was getting his shots, so I had them trim his nails. I've got 3-4 weeeks to figure out a solution before they got long again. I hate to waste my hard earned money for something I should be able to do myself.

I have a really hard time cutting my Murph's nails. The dremmel was too noisy and he hates the clipper sound too. I find daily walks on concrete helps to keep the nails short and i don't have to struggle with cutting them too often.

Thanks. You're quite right as I think that is what's been helping of most recent times. I have been taking him on walks on the concrete sidewalk and it has kept things more reasonable.

This is what I have -
http://www.petco.com/product/104101/Four-Paws-Ultimate-Touch-Safety-Pet-Nail-Clipper.aspx?Ntt=four%20paws%20safety%20pet%20nail%20clipper&OneResultRedirect=1

It does have a shield to keep the clipper from slipping up the nail..


Edit to say, 4:58 and doggy is fed for the evening.

My vote continues to go to the professional groomer, at least till the claws get back to a manageable length. Not to say the vet didn't make really good progress, of course. It's just going to take time with her.

I'm still chicken anyway..
but I'll remember Firefly's helpful post.

All to the good for maintaining healthy claws. I think Katy is still in the remedial stage as far as toenails go. You would never get a high pitched, motorized contraption close to a cat. I don't have recent experience with dogs.

a friend of mine has a webpage somewhere on how to get dogs used to the dremel. Takes about a week before you can actually touch the dremel to the nail. I don't have the patience to sit holding a dremel for minutes every day for a week, doing nothing. she swears by it - does a nail a day for each of her dogs (and the cat too)

Maybe it's a zen routine. (didn't see your post until now)


A few minutes ago Katy nosed me at the computer. I followed thinking, "she want's to go out but isn't moving fast?" She went to the front door, not where she goes when she wants to go out, and I picked up the sound of the trash truck a few blocks away. Ahhhh, monster approaching!

Yup, isn't it amazing how we can figure out what they want! It just takes wanting to and some observation and thinking like how we think THEY might think.

My dog is picky about specific noises. He won't allow me to watch a show with a high-pitched noise without his warning barking at the TV. I watch a trivia game show (Cash Cab) which has a bells-and-whistles and electronic noises. Every time they get an answer right, noises go off. I've got to quickly grab the remote and hit the mute button when they get the answer right or he'll bark.

That, and sometimes they find out what works and what doesn't. If one tail wag doesn't get the back door opened, maybe it produces food or an ear rumple. Katy is good with ear rumples, generally.

My parents did that to me..and well sadly..my ears...stayed that way! Family still calls me Rumpled-ear-skin!

That is very sad, but I'm sure they meant well.

No worries. We had a fabled relationship. Especially good because they gave me some juicy bones to gnaw on.

So.

Principessa Caterina likes the concept of siesta.

This, of course, is smart of her.

I may have to alter my ways.

If she's as versital as I suspect, she would make either a good pillow or a nice footrest.