I am not in the least bit opposed to docking, but I don't think I would have it done at 5 months. The dew claws on the other hand, I would probably have removed IF the dog was already having anesthesia for another procedure...but not on it's own.:)

When I had pomeranian's I had lolli's dew claws removed when she got fixed. They put wrap bandages on her & she had no problems with that being done at about 6 months old. Both my yorkies had their tails done when I got them, if it would have been a choice, I think I would have liked to have kept their tails long. :)

He is SO CUTE!!! I'm glad you decided not to dock his tail or remove his dew claws. I wouldn't do it either. If I had a choice when Daisy was born I would not have had her tail docked or dew claws removed then either. It just seem so unnecessary to me. Just my opinion. I don't mean any offense to anyone.

He is so adorable!

I have a Shorkie, and her tail is long. I love the way it looks, with the long hair and it curls up onto her back.

My Yorkie, Shadow, his tail was done when I got him. I actually thought I would hate it, Since I love Gabby's tail so much. But I think it's right cute and love to see him way that little nub. lol

Seems I love them either way!

Both still have their dewclaws and so far, knock on wood, no problems.

Dew claws??
 

I am wondering now, reading this post, if my Yorkie still has her dew claws (or where were they removed) Where exactly are they? Cookie has five nails, 4 on her "paw" area, and the one on the side (somewhat like a thumb type) I see a little piece of dark skin behind her paw like half an inch down- maybe that's where the dew claws WERE? That's probably right, just checking! Not sure that I've ever payed attention to dew claws on a dog! What are the disadvantages of dew claws? Why are they removed? If someone could just inform me, I'd be very thankful! :)

You have a hansome little puppy ! I am not keen on subjecting my Puppy unecessary pain either. Suzi will have her baby teeth removed when spayed though.... However, I am not planning on showing her, and I love the way she looks naturally.

The dew claw is the one that is on the inside side of the foot (thumb type). It is usually removed because it is of no use to the dog and sometimes people will forget to cut the nail on the dewclaw and it can easily get hung up on things. It does make grooming the feet a little simpler with the dewclaw removed. Most yorkies just have front dewclaws but I did have two yorkie sisters one time that both consistently produced puppies that had rear dewclaws also.

My little man is growing up
 

Skeeter is scheduled for his neuter on Sept 4. I don't think he will need any teeth extracted. All of his front ones have come out just fine. He does still have his 4 fangs and his adult fangs have come through the surface of his gums. I think Adie lost her fangs quite early so I'm concerned. Does anyone know which baby teeth come out last? And oh yes, he has started holding my thumb in his mouth in the sucking position again. He isn't actually sucking on it unless he feels me move it. It is so stinkin cute!

He does sound like a cutie. From my experience it is usually the baby 'fang' teeth that are usually the last to fall out. Some dogs can take up to a year or so to lose them and some have to have them pulled. If he still has them at the time of his surgery then I would have the vet pull them.

Here is a good pic showing the due claw. (not mine, I got if off flicker from doing a search) This should help you locate it...if it has been removed, the nail part will be missing, but the rough 'pad' part will still be there. :)

Ohh, alright. In that case, Cookie does have her front dewclaws. She is 3 months, should I have them removed when she is under anesthesia when she gets spayed? My vet never even mentioned the dewclaws to me, and she cut her nails twice. Is it worth getting them removed?:confused:

Thanks for the pic, yep Cookie does have this. Now I am unsure of whether to have it removed or leave it :confused:

I've seen on older yorkie with his tail and he look adorable with it.:)

I would just leave it. Just make sure you keep the nail clipped so it won't hang up on anything.

alright, thanks for the advice :):thumbup:

There really is no benefit one way or the other if you have it removed at this point. I personally would IF the dog were already scheduled for a procedure, but that's just because I had a dog injur one and don't want to do it again. If you leave it, as already stated, just make sure to keep the nail trimmed. Again, really doesn't matter one way or the other.

My friends doggie was at the park & some how pulled a dew claw - it was a mess & she had to run her to the Vet to take care of it. I'm for not having them on as well.

tails and dew claws
 

Hey - our three Yorkies all have docked tails. None of them have their dew claws removed.

I have only once seen our oldest female catch her dew claw in her beard and she got mad but got out of it right away.

I would be comfortable removing the dew claws when they are babies just as with the tail, but at the time of spaying/neutering I would find it upsetting.

I guess it is the same as circumcision - which is so normal in my culture. I don't remember it, but if it were done when I was 13 it might be a life long trauma that kept me up at night.

Where your dog is well into the memories stage of life, I might pass on the dew claw removal unless there appears to be a reason to do it for health and wellness.

I've just read through this thread and I am just so thrilled that you decided not to have the tail docked. I also think that the short docked tail is kind of cute. But if it involved hurting my baby for even a second, I would never ever do it. And I know for sure that I would get used to the long tail and even grow to love it, especially when the hair grew in.

When it was time to spay Cassie, I thought I was going to have a stroke, I was so worried about putting her under. I couldn't sleep for a week. I did it for her health, and thank goodness she came out of it fine. But I would do anything in order to avoid putting her under anesthesia if I could help it.
Just too too scary. I love her so very much, I would never do anything that would cause her pain, especially for cosmetic reasons.

And I have to say, I have always thought that docking the tail was strange and unnecessary, even though I thought it looked cute. I've always wondered why it is the breed standard. I do hope they change the breed standard, because I think our babies are absolutely the cutest, most beautiful in the world. Their faces alone are enough to capture any heart and hold it captive forever. Your little one is so very very adorable. What a face!!!!!!!!! Good luck and I'm so happy he gets to keep his tail.


XOXOXOXOX Shellie and Cassie:):)

Tail docking after a few days of birth is not a good idea is what I heard. De clawing, I can not comment on that, just doesn't sound right. But if you do go along with it, why not install a lunar excursion module at the same time. I am sure the pup won't mind it, hell he cannot even speak!!!

Remus,
Your message is dripping with uncalled for sarcasm. If you had read through this thread you would see that I decided against the procedures.
Thank you for your concern. And since Skeeter has no voice I will thank you on his behalf as well.

Hi Lou,

I just want to tell you I think you are awesome!!!!
:D
You posed a question here that you were really struggling with, seeking genuine caring input to help you make a decision that was best for you and your little one. I am very happy you made the decision that you did. But even if you didn't -I think it is so important that we are civil and charitable to one another even if we agree to disagree on a particular issue.

I'm sure you did a thoughtful contemplation of all the answers you received, some I agreed with and some I did not. But I think everyone has a right to their opinion and to be heard.

I think you were very restrained in your previous response. :love:

XOXOXO

Thank you Broodizt; You are too kind.
When you read posts from people like Kezza you appreciate respectful disagreement. She couldn't have disagreed more than she did with what I was thinking about doing but she did not offend me. Bless her heart.

I personally am more inclined to be abrasive. I'm learning though! LOL

P.S. The shih tzu in my avatar is also named Cassie!

;):p:thumbup:

I agree, good decision. :thumbup:Especially with docking the tail, just IMO, I think its just unnecessary if the puppy is too old. Removing the dewclaws, I'm not sure, my baby has her dewclaws, and I'm going to discuss with my Vet about POSSIBLY removing them (if she thinks its in the best interest of Cookie) while she is already under anesthesia for when she gets spayed. :thumbup:

My humble opinion........ Lexilyn was spayed last month at the age of 6 mos. At that time, they also removed 2 baby teeth and her 2 front dewclaws. Prior to that she caught them on the sofa twice (loose weave cloth!!) The vet wrapped them after surgery (see photo album) and we took off the wraps the next day. She did lick them a bit but otherwise they healed nicely. I made what I hope was a decision in her best interest since she can't make all her own decisions. Though she seriously thinks she should. I'm glad we did it, though I would have liked a new sofa.....

What is a new couch? LOL
I haven't had one of those in years! Just about the time I think I will buy one a new dog comes in to the picture and I decide to wait until it is house broken. LOL (I rescue)