nail clipping.. How does your boxer react?

shy the boxer · #1 10-07-2002, 09:56 PM

I usually clipped Shy's nails myself.. Now that she is getting too big for me to do that.. I took her to the doggie groomer to get this done.. Now she acted so bad at the groomers.. She actually kept punching the groomer in the forehead and squeal like a pig.. My question of course is how does other peoples boxers react when getting their nails clipped?

BooBoo & Riley · #2 10-07-2002, 10:07 PM

We haven't tried clipping BooBoo's nails since he was a 10 week old puppy... because he hated it too...

We have a yard that's part concrete and by running around the yard, he dulls his nails enough that it doesn't need clipping at all...I even have that confirmed by the Petsmart groomer who sucks us in for a visit once by giving BooBoo a free bandanna...

Do you have a concrete area that you can take your boxer regularly for dull his nails...it would be a lot cheaper and much less headache...

rumsgirl · #3 10-07-2002, 10:13 PM

I am a professional dog groomer and I can tell you that is normal for alot of puppies to react that way at first. They get use to it very easily. As far as the cost goes it only should run you between 5 to 10 dollars depending where you live to go in and just get the nails done. I charge $5 and also put cologne on and also a bandana ,heck the bandana and the cologne are worth $5, but it also teaches them to like the nails being done. Madchen hated it everytime I tried to do her nails on the floor but I put her up on the grooming table and put the noose around her neck and she stood like she was an old pro at it. Concrete does help but you really need to get them trimmed at least once a month, your vet can even do it if you don't want to go to a groomer.

Matt S · #4 10-07-2002, 10:37 PM

Quote:

by Shy
My question of course is how does other peoples boxers react when getting their nails clipped?

Wouldn't know, never had them done.

Our 2 do most of their walking on footpaths & pavements so we've never had to worry about trimming their nails.
Their nails seem to stay at a good length, are surprisingly smooth & we have never had a problem with them.

ktn67 · #5 10-07-2002, 10:52 PM

Just some food for thought. Dogs seem to take to having their nails dremeled much better than clipped. Jewellee doesn't like the clippers becasue of the pressure exerted to make the cut but the dremel just grinds them down. You need to be careful to only grind each nail 2 - 3 seconds at a time or they will get hot and it hurts. Just do each nail on a paw one at a time for a few seconds and that gives the nails time to cool so you can go back and shorten them some more. You still have to avoid grinding down to the quick. And be careful of flying pieces of nail, they really sting the eyes. (yours and the dogs) Be careful not to get long hair in the way either. It will get caught!!

P.S. The noise of the dremel will probably startle your baby at first. It may take a few sessions to get tehm used to it before you can start actually doing the nails.

AntJan · #6 10-07-2002, 11:07 PM

Shy punching the groomer on the forehead?!? Oh my!!

Poor thing was probably so nervous, but that's expected for a 1st time at the groomer's.

Well, hubby takes care of all the grooming for Nikki. He used to use a clipper, but Nikki seemed so afraid of it. He later switched over to a Dremel, which Nikki was nervous of at first because of the sound. But it wasn't that long before she got used to it. He's been Dremeling her nails since she was 3 months old. Now, when she knows her nails have to be done, she just lays down on her side and lets daddy Dremel all her nails. Sometimes she even gets sleepy during the process, and almost dozes off.

It's just a matter of getting them used to something, and once they realize it's nothing to be afraid of, they'll be fine.

Marisa · #7 10-07-2002, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Now, when she knows her nails have to be done, she just lays down on her side and lets daddy Dremel all her nails. Sometimes she even gets sleepy during the process, and almost dozes off.

This is what my Jordi does except I use a clipper, I clip his nails every fortnight to keep him looking his best...

Thomas Liggin · #8 10-08-2002, 02:34 AM

When we attended group puppy class, the trainer told us that we should regularly and routinely handle and massage the pup's paws. Most dogs don't like having their paws messed with. He said our groomer would love us and our dogs for working with their (the dogs) paws.

He further stated that we should lift the ears to examine them, look in the dogs mouth and massage the stomach to simulate what a vet does. It will make the pup more comfortable and compliant at the vets. Make sure the dog it used to being physically handled and your dogs will be

when others need to interact with them.

Tom

mygirlmollie · #9 10-08-2002, 03:20 AM

Sounds good in theory Tom

I thought I'd do that with Hannah to make her more "user friendly" at the vets etc.... (and for me)

She has ear drops at the moment and there's no way I can get them in, I have to sneak them in quickly while she's sleeping. She wont let me clip her nails either

I try when she's asleep and usually get 1-2 done before she wakes up and says no way

Maybe I just haven't handled her enough.......

Thomas Liggin · #10 10-08-2002, 03:29 AM

Hannah is six days older than Indy. Indy is still uncomfortable with having his paws handled or his mouth opened, but he is getting better. I'm sure with time he will improve.

The groomer says she has no problems, but I have my doubts. I have a suspicion they would say a dog is ok unless they are a real handful. They don't want to discourage you from bringing the dog back. I know he is ok with the vet.

I'd say they are still puppies, but with Boxers that is true regardless of age.

, Tom