Trimming dogs nails

[RobRusso]

I have a 30lb male beagle who will not allow me to trim his nails.  One would think, by his panic and yelping I was trying to inflict great harm on him.. I've since found out this reaction is completely fake, as i've been able to snip one off, occassionally, while he's sleeping or not paying attention..  So, is there a way to calm him down in order to clip his nails without stressing him out so much?  Vistaril, Maybe? (i do have some on hand for his skin allergies).    Possibly, some other medication, more potent, that i can obtain from my vet? He's 3 yrs old and 35 lbs.  Thank you

[Jerry_NJ]

I watched on "youtub" and saw some good productions on cutting with the nipper style cutters and then rounded/smoothed with a Dremel.  Still I have a tough time seeing/identifying the wick(vein).  

I have tried getting my Westie used to a "work table" idea, he goes up on it at least twice a day and I always handle his feet just for the touching.  He always needs some real work such as eye ointment (dry eye) and his ongoing ear and sore feet from licking which may be an allergy.  

He gets dried on the work table after after his weekly bath, which he tolerates well - he must have had lots of baths in his past.  He has lost at least 90% of his hearing so the hair dryer is more a vibration to him than a sound.  I think this helps him accepts (mostly) a hair drier and that makes him more receptive to a Dremel.

The long hair on his legs/feet (yes he has been to the groomer, but only every 3 or 4 months at $65 and I have trimming scissors) and my general ineptness on this operation I can't get much done before he begins to fight back, and he will nip or at least hit with an open mouth.  The front side nails (the thumbs) were beginning to curl and that made the Dremel not well suited.  That's when I purchased the Miller Forge (think that's the brand) nippers and cut his left "thumbnail" - there was a yelp and he hit the back of my hand with his mouth hard enough to hurt (only a little - but no blood on my part) - then I saw a tinny drop of blood, I hit the very end of his wick - so I had proof it hurts.  I didn't have to take any measures to stop the bleeding, there was only one small drop.

The above leads to my question, the reason I make this reply (along with a long diatribe on my story).  How do I see the wick so I can get close but not cut it?  One has the same need with the Dremel but the little I've used it on his big nails (this dog has real digging claws, I think by design in the establishment of this breed, a ground hog hunter) I've never ground down too far.

[TattooGurl]

Sadly both my girls hate getting there nails cut they both cry and yelp and the Eskie even try's biting. It doesn't hurt them doesn't hurt any dog they just have a suck it up. Mostly it's about pinning them and getting it done as quickly as possible. Then letting them be pissed at you for the rest of the day they will forgive you. It's no different then giving them a bath they hate you wile it's happening but they understand later any you had to do it.

[LoveMyBostons]

You can get him used to his paws being handled by practicing every day. Just feel his paw with your hand, inspect it, lift it up a little bit, but don't try to cut his nails. If he's used to you dealing with his paw, maybe he won't get so freaked out when you try to trim his nails.

[Margot49]

Yes, the noise could do it.  I have a little Pound puppy here now, well, she is a year old now and hates her nails done!!  Have a friend who is another "dog" person, we used to show and train together.  Anyway, she has two small rescue dogs now.  We set up a "nail" day.  One of hers, like yours, is a Drama Queen.  We let them out in my yard and they run and play like crazy.  We wait until they wear themselves out then do nails.  Works pretty well.  LOL.  I have worked with this pup since I got her.  At least I can handle her feet now, she would not even tolerate her feet being held.  I did notice, when I took her out of the Shelter, her nails were really short and I remember telling my friend I had hoped they did that while she was under for her spay.  The way she acts, maybe not.  :-(

[RobRusso]

The Dremmell, well that really sends him into hyper panic mode... Must be the noise?  Not sure.

[RobRusso]

AThanks for all the advice.  I've had this nail trimming issue since Zach was a six month old pup... Honestly, I can't bare the yelping and crying.   I believe I'll try the PetSmart services. For me, it would be worth the fee of not going thru all of Zach's panic!  I do find it odd that my other2 beagles simply pay no mind to nail trimming.. Go figure..... Thanks again, Rob.

[lindapalm]

Our dog is horrible to control when doing her nails.  I watched Cesar Millan do them once on a dog, and he would make the dog lay on her side, and give her treats throughout the procedure. He was very firm in letting her know that she couldn't get up, and he stayed calm an athorative during the clipping.  I've tried it, and things are better than they were, not perfect, but better.  When my dog tries to get up, I lay her back down again telling her no, and I start over again.  Each time I do one or two nails, I give her a piece of a treat.  She shakes a lot, and moans, but it gets done, instead of before when I would dread doing them, and beg her to hold still, I think it made her more nervous.    

[Margot49]

That can sure be a challenge!!  I hate to see you have to sedate him.  My own dogs, that I raised, were used to getting their nails done from the time they were puppies.  I used clippers but prefer the Dremmel, once they get used to it.  You can see the quick and stop before you make it bleed.
Had my aunt's Terror mix fir years and she hated having her nails done.  Took her to my Vet twice to let them do it.  He laughed cause he knew I did all my own grooming.  Eventually, I sat on the floor, layer her on her back on my lap, put her head under my left arm, took her feet in hand and used the Dremmel, took me less than 5 mins! Had a Greyhound here that had nails like a horse's hoof.  I helped with rescue and these track dogs are used to this and I doubt they ate handled gently.  Does not take them long to figure out if you are nervous. Found out it was easier to lay him on his side on his bed and have my husband hold his head and distract him by talking and scratching.  I sat on the floor and used the Dremmel and that took a while.
If all else fails, take him to the Vet or a groomer at PetsMart. They often don't act up as bad for them and not usually expensive.  Our PetsMart actually does it cheap one or two evenings a week.  You might call and check.
Other than all that, try what Jerry suggested, maybe try one or two, then treat.
Good luck.  :-)
To anyone who has puppies or young dogs, best to get them used to trimming now.

[Jerry_NJ]

Practice makes perfect, and practice makes dogs do tricks... and let you trim their nails...or at least on might hope.  I'm working on my rescue Westie that isn't over sensitive about me touching his paws and doing what you say... I've tried both a Drimel drum sander, which I like and the pliers-type trimmer.  I cut a few and then reward him...to come back and do more. I am trying to establish trust.  I am not sure it is working and this Terrier will lash out with a nip, so one can get hurt, and I don't mean the dog.

An idea that was told me a couple of days back for cutting nails on a small dog was get netting, a simple piece of cloth would work too, and cut holes for the dog's legs to stick through then hang the dog in the contrivance from an overhead anything and trim away.  I was told the Terrier cries and yelps but is happy when it is over and he gets a treat.

I have also been told of two people doing a Westie, one big and strong person hold the dog immobile while the other trims... I have heard the dog cries and yelps the whole time but the nails get trimmed and the dog gets over it.

Good luck, I do not recommend using any drugs... let the dog cry if it must.