The love that dare not speak its name

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Hey you know, I just started to do nails. It's really easy! Just get a really good, sharp set of doggie nail clippers, watch the YT video, and you're good to go.

I am embarrassed to admit this, but maybe it will help someone else.... I didn't realize that people nail clippers and doggie nail clippers are totally different. The doggie ones are much, much easier.

I tried the pantyhose thing, but a bunch of hair came through anyway. Now I just use a little set of nail scissors to trim the fur between the pads if I can't see a nail well. I just take a little bit off at a time, and give Thor a treat every time. He doesn't love it, but he doesn't wail and scream either. If I'm really far away from the quick, he doesn't mind much at all. As I get closer, he starts trying to pull his paw away though. I've never cut close enough to make him bleed though, knock on wood.

Generally, I think it's good practice to do it, I think ultimately it can build trust with your dog and get him more confident in handling his body.

I've got the Pedi paws and the regular safety dog nail trimmers. The Pedi-paws was leaving his nails too long, and it took lots of time. After watching Joey's groomer/breeder, I thought I would try the clippers. She made it look so easy, he lays down in her lap on his back, and acts like everything's cool. She cuts them very short, and he doesn't move or make a noise. I tried her method, and I couldn't get him that calm. I wrapped him in a towel, so that I could hold him firmly, and I was able to clip his nails that way, but then he screamed once, and that was the end of my clipping days. I wasn't even trying to clip that much, I don't know what I did wrong, but now I'm too nervous when I do it. His breeder did tell me that the mistake most people make is not holding the nail bed firmly when cutting, it's the wiggling of the nail bed that causes the pain, and cutter should be extreemly sharp, she replaces hers often.

[ladyjane]

They know we are nervous and carry on to make us stop! My groomer proved that to me with my Olivia. She does not utter one sound when she does her nails, but screams her fool head off when I so much as touch her foot when grooming. I have never cut to the quick...so I do believe they play us.

I use cat clippers ... they are much easier in my opinion. And, I only trim them a little bit once in a while if they grow quickly, since they are groomed every 4 - 6 weeks anyway. I would much rather my groomer do them.

[DvlshAngel985]

In the last 2 months or so I finally got the courage to do nails myself. What I do is use the clipper to cut his nail. I never try to take a lot, just the tip and then use the pedi paws to smooth it out, otherwise his nail is really scratchy. I try to do it every 2 weeks and only take a teeny tiny bit off every time. I've gotten his nails down to a respectable length and he no longer pulls his paw away. I do end up holding him like a football, with his head tucked away so he doesn't see what I'm doing and so he squirms less. That makes me feel less nervous about it.

[QuickSilver]

Hey, just wanted to update everyone for posterity. This behavior appears to have stopped. So it looks like it was because of the pee string - he was cleaning himself and inadvertantly getting an erection from the licking, I guess. Now that most of the pee string is off, he's back to normal.

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

Hey, just wanted to update everyone for posterity. This behavior appears to have stopped. So it looks like it was because of the pee string - he was cleaning himself and inadvertantly getting an erection from the licking, I guess. Now that most of the pee string is off, he's back to normal.

Glad to hear this so i am off to find dexter's pee string and snip it lolllllll

[celstu1]

So Ive been working more diligently with MY Dexter and telling him NO when I see him start to go off 'down there'.... and it's working actually! This weekend they are getting buzzed all around for their summer haircut so that should help too! I buzz cut them in the summer myself since they spend so much time in the pool, professional grooming is pointless and then in the fall & winter they get groomed. Its time to buzz all the hair off! woohoo I love to see their little skinny bodies in the spring when the hair comes off! So cute!

[kionini]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

touche! Yes rosebuds can swell up to three times its normal size during a heat cycle, and looks strangely Georgia O'Keefe-ish (LOL!), but once Uni is spayed I think it'll be smooth sailing from then on! *fingers crossed*

after reading this post, now I know what may be going on right under my nose Bummer, mommy's the last to know, as always.

Nini (my girl) is spayed. I have been here trying to figure out why she has a rash. I thought it was a burn from the razor blade as someone suggested, or an infection. I have treated her and was thinking of a vet visit. Turns out, she has the female version of a nightly routine as others I'm learning about here---no wonder.

Nini occasionally turns herself on her back and my boy, like a good little boy, obeys and pleases her. I thought he was trying to help her clean herself or something like that, I couln't figure it out, I clean her well every time she goes potty.

Nicky (my boy) is neutered, though I've never seen anything come out since before his surgery, he still tries to mount Nini. Again, I didn't understand it, I thought it was just a 'who's the alpha here' type of situation .

Now I know there may be another explanation, hmmmm