Clipping puppy nails?

Question

At first she didn't care or was easily distracted with treats now she doesn't care about the treats and she pulls hard to get away. I don't want to hurt her but she is a German Shepherd and her nails are getting way too long. I want ideas on how to do this myself (with my husband) if they don't work we will take her somewhere but I was really hoping to do it. I had been working with her holding her paws and as long as the clippers are not out I can. I let her smell the clippers and we even tried a grinder she tried to bite it and we quit that. Why did she let us do it before and now she is protesting? She lets us clean her ears but we really just pour solution in and use a kleenex to clean what is left not much and when she is calm she lets me brush her some what is it with the nails?

Answer 1

handling your dog's feet is a dominance/submission issue with the dog. Have your vet, vet tech or a groomer show the proper way to hold her feet so you can clip her nails.



Part of it is you are probably releasing her feet when she pulls them away from you--you want to keep a firm grip on them--be a bit more assertive with her. the other part is she's probably entering puppy adolescence and similar to human teenagers asserting their maturity, is attempting to establish her new order in the pack as an adult and not a puppy.

Answer 2

Its possible you got to close on one and cut into the quick and caused her pain. So now she associates that with pain/discomfort. Also it is natural for a dog to pull away when you are playing around with their paw. Just keep at it. Let her know what you want. Try making her lye down before you start and also work on the stay. If she knows how to stay it will help in the trimming. There is also a way to hold a dog to keep them from moving away while another person clips the nails. That is something you would ask your vet or a groomer its hard to explain in typing.

Answer 3

most dogs hate haveing their nails clipped and it takes 2 of u and even more to get it done. i have always did the job on my dogs and some were easy and just gave me each foot where the other ran and hid and keep pulling their paws away. i invested in 2 pairs of dog nail files and use them to grind them down after i try to snip the curled ends off. u might want to try just filing them until ur dog knows it won't hurt. then sneakly have the clippers handy when she realaxs and cut the sharp ends off, then get the file started again and so forth. u will have to out smart her or have hubby hold her down and u do the snipping. sometimes a stranger can do it and the dog won't mind but in the long run it is a lot cheaper for u and hopefully she will come around. i sometimes wait until my ole husky is wiped out and snoreing then i sneak up and start the nail routine. he is not happy and moans and groans but he will listen and do what he is told most of the time so make sure yr girl obeys the commands and sits and stays then bring out the treats. good luck

Answer 4

Some dogs don't mind it, others hate it...



I'm a dog groomer, and I'd have to say that most of the German Shepherds that come in have extremely touchy feet and don't like having their nails clipped, and struggle and cry when we do so.



I say keep at it at home if you are comfortable. If, however, she starts thrashing, releases her anal glands or tries to bite you (all signs of panic) - it is best for both you and the dog to have a professional do it. A professional will be able to get it done a lot quicker, minimizing stress on the dog.



EDIT - I can't see anything you are doing wrong - are you stressed or get frustrated when she starts to struggle? Dogs can sense that, which only causes them to fight harder against what you're doing to them.

Answer 5

Um, get your mentor to exhibit you ways? How approximately your vet? Afraid? What in the world might you do if there used to be a truly drawback? Just get a nail clipper and reduce off the guidelines! Dog breeding isn't for weenies. EDIT: To the so-known as "veterinary nurse" - accountable breeders begin clipping dogs nails at every week historic so they do not scratch the dam.

Answer 6

if you want to really do it home try just using the brush one stroke and wait for a while and give her a treat.Then, stroke her hair with the brush twice and so forth and give her treats that should solve the hair problem.As for the nails you should probably take her to the groomer so you wont have to risk being attacked.