My dog had been going to the same vet for almost 3 yrs and grooming her nails was no big deal until recently. The last 3 times I had taken her in to have her nails done, she would not allow it. They must have hurt her or were overly aggressive with her. I’m not sure, but she’s thrashed around so much that it was unsafe to even try. She was a mess to say the least. Sedatives didn’t even work, Even with quite an increase in the dosage.
Sooo clipping was completely out of the picture for her. She didn’t even like having her feet touched at all, even by me now. I decided to take my time with her and try this grinder due to all the positive feedback.
I had to have a lot of patience and not rush. I took a week getting her to trust me touching her feet and get use to seeing the grinder and then later just pretending I was grinding her nails, but with it turned off, all done with treats of course. Then I tried it on low speed one just one nail for 1-2 seconds. She let me and was rewarded a few pieces of shredded cheese.
This went on day after day till now I am able to do all her nails grinding off just a small amount on each at low speed. If she started getting uncomfortable at any time I’d just stop and step back a step or two, like turn it off and pretend again till she was comfortable then moved forward again. In the beginning I rewarded her with all positive behavior. Now I can do one foot on high speed and treats, then do two feet if all goes well, then reward. I will get to the point where she will be rewarded really bigly once all her feet are done at one time, then once a week thereafter to keep them short.
My dog weighs 97 lbs is large, so doing things for her takes more time. When I started, her very thick **nails were terribly over grown of course. It’s just a matter of trust. I make her feel as relaxed in the situation as I can and go from there slowly. It may take longer, but the rewards are far better and we’re both happier. Just take your time and it should work for you too.
The grinder itself is very, very quiet as others have stated. I believe if it had been louder than it is, this may have not worked as easily for my dog. Her nails are also big, thick black nails so I can only do with the guard off, but the control is comfortably amazing with this grinder. Compared to a regular Dremel where I could easily slip and rip into the bottom of her paw pads. I am so thrilled with this little gem. It will take longer, but I don’t care. My big girl and I are no longer stressed out by having to have her nails clipped by the vet, and possible injury to her quick's, etc., no drugs needed anymore, plus I’m saving money. Win! Win! My hat’s off to you for this product. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!
**Remember for dark nails: STOP once you start seeing the small white dot in the center of the dog’s nail bottom. When that starts showing, that’s the start of the quick. Going past that is very painful and your dog may not let you try again later.