Nail question

How close are you getting to the quick?  I cut back as much nail as possible until I get to the quick, then I shave back the edges closest to the quick.  In your case, you would sand them back.  What are you afraid you are not "doing right"??

 I cut the tip of the nail off then sand back as close to the quick as I can.

I was just wondering cuz it feels like I'm getting no where with the length of Maze's nails.  Sandy's are easy since they're clear but Maze has black as night nails.

 I'm not an expert at this, but my thinking is that I do not think you can reduce the length of the quick by much -- ever -- even if you file almost daily -- once its grown.  The only way that I know to keep that "show-look" (short nails) is to start when they are young and keep at it regularly so that the quick never gets long in the first place.  I Dremel my Dane's nails every 2 weeks -- but have been doing it since I got her at 9 weeks.  I usually put on reading glasses while I do this so I can be assured to get as close to the quick as possible, but never so close as to cause any pain (or blood) [of course, with dark nails it's not as easy -- that's for sure!] -- that is the beauty of a good quality Dremel (which I bought in the tools section of Sears -- they are a better quality, IMO, than those specifically made for dogs that you get at a grooming shop -- the one I have is a variable speed unit, as opposed to 2 or 3 speeds) -- it can be done very quickly (a must for my dog, who absolutely hates this), yet with precision.  But when its all done, she gets a nice big lump of peanut butter to 'soothe her bruised ego' and she's happy again.

blujeans

 I'm not an expert at this, but my thinking is that I do not think you can reduce the length of the quick by much -- ever -- even if you file almost daily -- once its grown.

FWIW, my vet agrees with you.  I asked him about it because I've never had much success getting my long-nailed dog's quicks to recede.  He said it's possible to get them to recede just a bit, but not nearly as much as many people believe.

I have been able to get quicks back..and did so on Jules..but I had to do them every other day at first. It did take some time.

 I've been able to "force" back quicks, too. Jewel, most recently. Before her, there was Teenie. I did have a little help, with both, when they had their initial spay/dental. Jewel's are clear, so you can actually see what's happening, and they've certainly shortened since I got her.

I've been able to force quicks back as well.  Recently, I've done it with Schatzi's.  Her nails are "show short" & she was never quicked in the process.  I think that diligence, & getting as close to the quick as possible, each time that you dremmel is the big key in getting quicks pushed back.

BEVOLASVEGAS

I've been able to force quicks back as well.  Recently, I've done it with Schatzi's.  Her nails are "show short" & she was never quicked in the process.  I think that diligence, & getting as close to the quick as possible, each time that you dremmel is the big key in getting quicks pushed back.

I agree.  I've been able to do the same thing with Sammy using the Dremel.  I file as close as I can to the quick, then every few days I'm able to get a bit more off.  I have accidentally quicked him before (using the scissor type trimmer), so even though his nails are black, I know for a fact that the quicks have receded.  His nails are much shorter than they were the time I quicked him, and that is the one and only time that has ever happened.

 I cut Luke's nails back a few times a week till I can just begin to see the quick. I cut the ends, then continue taking off the tiniest amount possible till I get there. I actually haven't used the dremel on him, though I should start. I think I did get the quicks back on my dog before. He was terrified on having his nails cut, so I did a dremel, and had him scrape his own nails on a board with sandpaper. His front nails did shorten up nicely then.

 It takes time, but with diligence you can get the quicks back yourself. It's a slow process though, so don't get discouraged! As long as your getting as close to the quick as possible, you'll get there. Black nails are tricky. Even being a former groomer, black nails can still be intimidating!

I would say "I've done it"....but rather the honest thing would be "I'm doing it" with Shimmer. Her nails grow so much faster than the other two's, and I find I have to do hers more often because when I did them all at once hers grew out way longer than I liked. So I'm in the process of shortening hers, although it does take some time!! I've been doing it for several months now, and it's still a slow process.