Dog Community

Let your dog file their own nails..REALLY WORKED

Posted : 12/9/2006 11:38:46 AM

For dogs who are just terrified of nail trimming this really worked for me.
[linkhttp://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/nailfile.html]http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/nailfile.html[/link]

Someone posted this earlier, and I cannot remember who. But I wanted to thank them and let people know that this really worked for my girls. So far can only get mine to file their front nails. But with lots of walks mine really only need the front nails trimmed anyway. You will still need to check the dewclaws as it does not seem to work on them.

This worked SO WELL for my girls I just wanted to make sure others whose dogs are terrified of the clippers and dremels know about this link. I feel so relieved to have found something that really worked for me, I just had to share it. And to thank whoever it was for posting it.

tia2

Posted : 12/9/2006 1:56:12 PM

Can you post a picture of this file? It sounds interesting.

Xebby

Posted : 12/9/2006 2:15:00 PM

humm... I'm still a bit confused about how you teach the dog to use the bord? Is it just instinct that the dog will try digging at it? How do you encorage it.

I like the idea, especialy for a dog that has a difficult time allowing the owner to trim. Sounds like it's worth a try.

theresamat

Posted : 12/9/2006 2:31:21 PM

This is the one I made. Its really simple. Home Depot has the sandpaper. It comes in a roll and is used for traction on stairs, or handicapped ramps. It is very sticky, sticks on wood, concrete, just about anything. Mine is small, but you can make it anysize you want too. I usually prop it against my desk and they scratch on it. I just used the clicker to train them. Click treat for touching it. Then click treat when they scratched it. It was easier when it was propped up because they instintively jump up on it. And scratch automatically when they come down. It really only took a few minutes for them to catch on.

theresamat

Posted : 12/9/2006 2:40:48 PM

Xebby, it really is easy to train them to use this. Mattie has real thick heavy nails that grow real fast. And she absolutely hates nail trims no matter how much desentizing I have done. The vet sedates her for nail trims because she is so scared. I love that she trims her own nails now. I prop it against my computer desk a lot, and she just scratches away hoping for a treat. Her nails are now short and smooth and I dont have to stress her out getting them done.

Casie does not like to have her nails trimmed, but she is not nearly as bad as Mattie is. I can trim her nails without too much stress. But I just let her use this too, because it is so much easier. And the nails are so smooth this way.

theresamat

Posted : 12/9/2006 2:53:16 PM

This is where I keep mine most of the time. Propped up by my computer. They scratch it all the time. I did have to put it away for awhile though, their nails were getting pretty short and I did not want them to quick themselves.

tia2

Posted : 12/9/2006 3:08:02 PM

Geez, I wish I had that problem!

Ruth

Posted : 12/9/2006 3:40:46 PM

I don't know if it was one of my posts you saw, but I've posted that link before. I was hoping someone else would try it and report back whether it works, so thank you! It's such a cool idea, so elegant to use the dog's natural instincts like that. I'm so glad it's working for you.

Stacita

Posted : 12/9/2006 4:04:11 PM

This is an awesome idea! My dogs aren't petrified, but they will squirm if not held and DH never seems to get around to helping me. For three dogs it is $45.00 at the vet's.

Floyd the Malinois lets me trim his nails--one nail at a time. In between, he leaps up squeaking, turning in circles and Maligator snapping, so needless to say it takes a VERY long time to do. Sneaking in for his two dewclaws sounds a whole lot more manageable.

Thank you so much!

theresamat

Posted : 12/9/2006 4:09:22 PM

Ruth,

I bet it was your post I saw this idea in! You cannot imagine the amount of gratitude your getting from Mattie and myself!! I have never in my life seen a dog so upset over anything the way Mattie acts for nail trimming. This poor girl shakes uncontrollably, urinates, and has even emptied her anal glands trying to do her nails. Her heart beats so fast Im afraid she will have a heart attack. And unfortunately for her, the nails really fast. The vet has had to sedate her to get them done. I hate having to do that to her, and so honestly they were not done as often as they should have been. Now the problem is solved and its so easy!!

So thank you so much for posting that link!!

jennie_c_d

Posted : 12/9/2006 11:08:22 PM

That's GREAT! I think I might like that much better than taking the time to Dremel mine. Of course, Teenie is a little slow, so it might take a while to teach her. It's really cool that it's working!

Kara

Posted : 12/12/2006 8:01:53 PM

That's a REALLY good idea. Sam tolerates nail clipping, but I think he would be happier with this. It's just so much easier after I train him, and I'm sure it must be somewhat easy to use for him.

GypsyNBeau

Posted : 12/13/2006 2:02:28 PM

Oooh, I like this idea, I think I'm going to have to try it for myself. I mean, for my dogs. They do tolerate their nails being trimmed, but I think this would be easier and more effective...one of my dogs has black nails and I'm always afraid of cutting too far. And I don't see any harm in the idea, so why not?! Glad this was posted.

tia2

Posted : 12/15/2006 1:59:36 PM

Ok, I think I'm going to try training my boys on this file, but first I'd love to see a picture of these filed nails. Does anyone have any pics of self pedicured nails?

jenhuedepohl

Posted : 12/15/2006 2:46:14 PM

Wow! That's cool! I am definitely going to give that a try. I can get Lucy's nails done WHILE we train and play.

And thanks for that link - that lady lives less than an hour away from me! I may have to contact her to see if she has any classes.