Teddy's first visit to the groomer not so good!

[myteddybear]

Well, Teddy Bear is about 4 1/2 months old now and I have just been trying to take care of his grooming myself. The one thing I have NOT been able to do is trim his feet and pad area and cut his nails. He WILL NOT let me near them. I have tried treats, constant touch and everything I have read to do. I still can't get near them. I was able to cut them once right after I got while he was asleep (8 weeks old) and the vet did it once but that's all he's had in 4 1/2 months.

So, to today. I decided to take him to Petco and have them trim his feet and cut his nails only. Made sure they could do it while I waited because I didn't want to leave him there. The took him in and I watched from the other side of the glass. He was good for them and the lady was cutting away when I heard a scream and saw Teddy jump. The lady reached for the styptic powder and no matter how much she put on it wouldn't stop the bleeding. It took about 10-15 minutes to get it stopped. She brought Teddy out to me and said. "Has your vet ever said he was anemic?" I said "No, why" she says "well, I just don't know why he bled sooooo much, I only took a tiny bit from the tip" She told me that she had it stopped for now but that I should watch it closely. I paid and went to the car. Once there I tried to look at his nails but he wasn't letting me near them.

What I could see was that I could see all of the nails poking out from under the hair but one looked missing?!?! I went home, called my vet and took Teddy there right away as I just couldn't tell how bad it was. She cut that nail so low that you can hardly see it there! Poor sweetie! Vet just said watch for infection and that if it started to bleed again that I could use flour to stop it.

OMGosh, how will I ever get him to let me do this now that he has had this happen?

I have considered trying those calming sprays or pills maybe once every 2 weeks or so (if it will work) to calm him long enough for him to let me do it. I thought letting someone else do it was the answer but now I am scared to let anyone else do it.

Anyone have any tips?

Kim and Teddy

[frankie mum]

with my dogs ,i took them to the vet.i don;t trust anyone .

i am so sorry that your dog get hurt,poor baby..

[VickiG]

I would go back to Petco and let them know they messed up. I hope Teddy's little foot feels better.

[blondflava]

They messed up big time, if you're not even able to see the nail, they must've cut it a lot more than necessary... It just proves there are a lot of people who groom and have no idea what they're doing. And she asked if he was anemic??

[Potter]

When you bring them to the groomer, you have to stress that you don't want their quick to be cut even if they move a lot. I brought mine in for a puppy groom for the first time this week. He had his nails cut before by the vet and then another groomer. I stayed and I made my point across. I told them in whatever situation, I DON'T WANT his quick to be cut. I told them that if they cannot manage to cut his nails because he moves too much, they should tell me and not simply snip too much. I know sometimes you think it is enough to just stay there and they'd be careful but most of the time, you have to let them know what you want and stand up for your puppy if you must.

[Gracie2006]

My vet cut one of Gracie's nails too close, she said because Gracie moved her paw at the wrong second and because that nail has a long quick. She cautioned me about trimming that nail as well. Gracie hates having her nails clipped and the vet suggested I try by doing one or two per week. Well of course, on the first try, I got that nail with the long quick cut too short and she screamed, then she bled and bled. I used lots of stiptic and applied pressure, but it took a good 15-20 minutes for the bleeding to stop. I share this because some dogs do have nails with a long quick, and those of us with the best of intentions still make a mistake. I felt so bad that I hurt my baby. Now I am not sure if I dare cut her nails again!

[yorkiepip]

I dont trust any groomers, so i do Pippa's grooming myself and anything else go to the vet.

[myteddybear]

I totally understand that the puppy's move around and mistakes can be made but the part that really got me was that she didn't just cut a little too deep on a toe with a long quick...she cut it so deep there is almost no nail left! And then to try and say he bled that much because he might be anemic and that she only took off a tiny bit??? Did she think I would not be able to see how terribly short it was???

Unfortunately, I'm not one to cause waves (I would have though if I had seen how short it was before I left) so I just won't take him back there. And I know that now he'll be twice as bad about not letting anyone touch them so I guess I will just take him to the vet to have it done from now on.

Did anyone have any thoughts on the calming sprays or pills? Anyone ever used them or heard of anyone using them? I thought maybe I could some before trying to cut the nails and see if that helps. I still would prefer to do them myself if I could get him to let me.

Kim and Teddy Bear

[Potter]

It is pretty scary when it comes to cutting nails. I bought a good nail clipper and decided to do it on my own a couple of weeks ago after paying 15 bucks for his nail done by a groomer BUT he won't let me. Not even when he is sound asleep eventhough he has never been hurt before. From the first day he is home, I always play with his toes and tried to desensitize him with just touching the nail clipper to his nails but it doesn't work. He is too squirmy for me. I am still glad the groomer I have found did it without cutting his quick although I am still scared of bringing him to a groomer.I will still try myself every day and see how it goes.

[Yorkie3]

Don't know if this will help or not, but I could never do Joey's or Izzie's nails. Now what I do is give them their bath, leave them wrapped up tightly in the towel and take one leg out at a time. They do great now and when I cut them right after the bath, their nails are a little softer and it doesn't bother them so much. I trim them every two weeks.

[myteddybear]

Originally Posted by Yorkie3

Don't know if this will help or not, but I could never do Joey's or Izzie's nails. Now what I do is give them their bath, leave them wrapped up tightly in the towel and take one leg out at a time. They do great now and when I cut them right after the bath, their nails are a little softer and it doesn't bother them so much. I trim them every two weeks.

I have tried this. I must be doing something wrong. My husband says I don't hold him tight enough and he knows that I will give up and let him go. I do let him go after a minute or so of struggling as I don't want it to turn into something really bad for him. I'm also afraid that if I hold his little legs to tight I will hurt them. It would be great if someone who is succesful at the towel thing to post a picture so I can see if I'm doing it correctly. He sure does still seem to be able to move an awful lot even in the towel.

[dray]

Well giving up after he starts to wiggle is just letting him know he is in control. But it is hard to hold some of the little kids.
This year at the Pet Industry Trade Show in Chicago I visited a booth that has a new product coming out . It is a nail clipper that can tell if there is blood under the nail before you cut. You set the clipper on the nail and it will give you a green or a red light. But not all dogs sit still and a dog can push his foot at the last minute and the nail is cut to short. When I teach people to groom I tell them to set the clipper down on the nail and squeeze just a bit before cutting , then cut the nail and this should keep from having an accident.
You can win this dogs trust again if you can find someone that will understand your story and is willing to help.

Debbie Ray
www.sumtoiyorkies.com
Owner
Best Friends Pet Salon
Salem Or.

[lreed]

Some groomers use a grinder. Maybe this would work better for awhile until he gets rid of some of his "feet fear".

[RMKC]

Had one of those calming sprays from vet, didn work, so i took it back as it cost $30 Dollars ! Hope your baby's toe is better , i wont do it either !