Hello all!
My dog needs your help. I've been trimming dog nails the "old fashioned way" for 30 years. Had one dog that needed to be held by someone, others ranged from tolerating it to falling asleep.... so I don't think it is how I have trimmed my dogs nails. I have never "quicked" my current dog, Pebbles. I got my dog from a good friend and breeder as a pup. She is an Australian Shepherd, now 7 years old. I have struggled with this dog from the start. My friend starts working with her pups at a week old to be brushed, have feet worked on etc. and I continued it with her.... so it is not like we didn't start young.
The long and short of it is that my dog not only does not like being brushed or bathed, but is terrified of nail trims. It has become a big deal at my house. I have used guillotine cutters (I think that's what they are called) and also the ones that are more like scissors or pruners. She hates both. I have only used possitive reinforcement, and have tried many things, but the poor thing is still terrified. Finally, I went to Lowes and got a fine metal file. I also went to a beauty supply and bought a variety of files for fake fingernails. I have been using these on her for the last couple months. My dog does not mind this file at all...even when I am really "going at it" pretty hard with the file. Problem is that I have pain in my palms from doing just a couple nails, as it takes so long to file them down. I have to hold her toes so securely to file them, and also have to hold the files very securely, that I get terrible cramps in my hands.
I have read about how to do the nails with the Dremmel. I want to try it with Pebbles. She does not mine the hair dryer used on her, and is not upset by any house hold noises. I will go slow and see what happens. I just hate looking forward to another 7-10 years of this battle over her toenails.
Finally... the questions....
Can I get the Dremmel at a regular home store, or does Dremmel make specific grinders for dog nails?
If I go to the home store, are there specific sanding tips I want to look for? Weights or grades or sizes?
Any other suggestions pertaining to doing her nails with a grinder would be very much appreciated!
Jules
