Monday, March 8, 2010

To Clip or Not Too Clip

According to the dogs, the answer would be simple. Not!
Like most dog owners, I shied away from clipping my dogs nails, for fear of hurting them. Bubbles nails have been sorely neglected as they were also so hard to clip through. My dad has been the only one to attempt Bubbles nails in the past, and I had a groomer dremmel them at one time, but she never went down too far.

Bubble's nails are RIDICULOUSLY long.
{This photo is inaccurate as this is after I worked on them....well keep reading :)}
Since then I learned how to clip my dogs nails, but for some reason never attempted Bubble's nails. A couple of months ago, Ben's former owners gave me a PediPaws dremel like tool, that they'd never used.
Speaking of Ben, I heard from his new family, and they say he's doing great, and "his boy" always wants Ben to be involved in everything he's doing. How cute is that?!
Anyway I began desentizing the dogs to Pedipaws while I still had Victoria with me, but  found it was easier to clip my more active pups nails with a clipper, as they didn't like to stay still long enough for me to properly grind their nails. I began desensitizing Bubbles to this new device as well,and she didn't really have much reaction too it, but since I'd never done her nails before, I was a little hesitant as too how far I could go.As I believe its true that the quick grows too the length of the nail?? I don't know.
{But Mom I love you? Why do you torture me like this??}

Well....Saturday night I was playing with the Pompsters, when I was "attacked" by one vicious claw. I immediate jumped up and grabbed my nail tools, and went too work on his nails. I started off with the clippers, but moved to the Pedipaws when he tried to wiggle out of my lap. (which he placed himself in willingly) He actually calmed down, and laid still while I 'buzzed' his nails..then he got bored and wanted to leave, which I let him AFTER I was finished with the nail I was working on.
{Pompei wins the shortest nails award}
{Texas's nails are pretty short, but his dew claw is really extending itself. :}
I looked up from that too see Bubbles snoozing on the couch, and decided to work on her longer nails.....for Bubbles its best to work on her if she's already in a relaxed position. Sure enough, the only visible sign I saw that she was uncomfortable with what I was doing, was the change in her breathing, from deep sleep, to the faster awake.
I probably worked on her back feet for about 10 minutes, (one negative of the pedipaws is how SLOW it turns) and she barely shifted positions. 

Course now I'm going, why didn't I do this before??

I'll be working on her feet, at least once a day, to get them back to a nice short size..but I'm happy to find a non intrusive way of doing her nails!!

The weather this weekend, was beautiful! The dogs spent as much time as possible sunbathing on the porch.  Now if only I could get Pompei to stop bringing me dead stuff!!! We also had a lot of visitors this weekend, as RoomieC was moving more of her stuff in...Texas did excellent with all the people coming in and out. He'd bark but that would be the end of this. Can I see the light at the end of the tunnel??
{Saturday Pompei hit the 4 month mark!! }

Erin and company

9 comments:

Kari in Alaska said...

Nails are the worst! Because we go lots of outside walks on cement the girls have short nails everywhere except the dew claws. BC is not as lucky since he can't walk as long but being 8lbs it not to hard to hold him still

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

My dogs never "loved" the clippers, and I hate doing it... But I worked with Toby enough that he likes them "somewhat"!
Such cute pictures,

Toby's Raiser

the TN Bull Terrors said...

We hate that dremel thingie too, DawgMom INSISTS that we have to be tortured with it at least once a week! We are very good for it tho, cause DawgDaddy gives us treats the whole time DawgMom is buzzin! Do we need to explain that to Bubbles? You know, jump around a little & you get a treat?? BOL

Feather, Darla, Pappy, LizzaBelle & Skippy the Foster Dude

Erin said...

Nooo that won't be necessary!

houndstooth said...

We're not fond of nail clippers here at our house, either. Dad clips mine and Blueberry's, but Lilac has to go to the vet because of her funky SLO toenails!

Bunny

Sandra said...

Flash hates having a pedicure. He tries to blend into the environment when he sees us coming, but once we put him on our laps he resigns himself to his fate. I have the PediPaw too and it is slow, but gets the job done nicely.

Also, LOVE the black and white picture of Pompei. Cute!

Alven, Dottie, Flash and Sandra

kalyxcorn said...

oh yeah, we used to do the boys' nails when they were sound asleep. baxter is s two person process, but he tolerates the dremel pretty well. It's not too bad timewise if you get in the habit of doing it every other week or so. :)

hugs,
b

Beth and Alfie said...

Oh yes, the dreaded nail clipping...sounds like you've got a good handle on it tho! That reminds me, I need to clip Alfie's nails but the hair on his paws is so shaggy I need to trim it first...

Carrie and Waffle said...

I'm too afraid to trim their nails, we rely on lots of long walks on concrete. Next month when the Waffler has to have her shots, I'll get her dew claws trimmed as well. Happy belated birthday to Mr. Pompei - Truffle-lufagus is getting her last big girl shots today and will 'officially' be 4 months on Saturday. Weird how the week count was off by a week marked by her actual birth date. go figure.