Please don't cut off my paws!!!!

[sadie2010]

I took my 5year old female GSD Sadie to the vet yesterday for her annual shots and a nail trim. The shots went fine. The nail trim? Not so much.

The vet and his vet tech took Sadie into a back room area, (out of my sight), and proceeded to trim her nails.

Well, you would have thought they were amputating her leg! She howled and whimpered and cried the whole time. It was really loud too.

By this time I was standing by the receptionist desk waiting for them to bring Sadie out to me. The vet tech brought Sadie out and said "It sounded worse than it really was".

I felt so bad for Sadie. I traumatized her, I think. But she really needed a nail trim. They were quite long.

She got a few treats and acted all better.

I dread having to to this again in the future, but it has to be done, right? I can't just let her nails grow and grow?

Any tips or suggestions on how I could make this an easier time for her?

[Lilie]

Would she do worse with you back there with her?

[suzzyq01]

Could you get a dremel and do her nails yourself? I do all my dogs grooming for several reasons...to get the used to being handled for grooming and because it is way cheaper for me to do it then spend $100 to have them bathed, brushed, and nails clipped. I have a dremel and sit with the treat jar. I got some protesting at first be eventually they gave up and learned that every couple minutes if they are still they get a tasty treat.

[DharmasMom]

Dharma acts the same way. I do hers at the groomers and you would think I was killing her. There is a guy at the park that she will let cut her nails. He has a way with dogs. We call him the Dog Whisperer. I gave learned to carry my clippers with me and when I see him get him to do the job.

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by Lilie

Would she do worse with you back there with her?

Or can you do it at home yourself? Preferably when she is exhausted and give her lots of treats for being goog.

[Silvermoon]

I hate it when they want to do stuff without mom. I never had any problems trimming my JRTs' nails until a trip to the vet when the tech cut them even with his toes!!!!!! I was livid!! That made it next to impossible to trim them again. I asked the vets about this and they said" we'll just sedate him each time". I think not!! New vet here we come.

[sadie2010]

That's what I wondered too? Would she fair better with me with her? Or would it make it worse for her, knowing her master was inflicting this torture on her?

The vet tech didn't cut the nails too short. Sadie's nails were not bleeding. I think she was just scared.

Would my presence with her make her feel more secure?

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

I would try being back there next time. Daisy at home is a pain as is Lucky when I do nail duty but at the groomers Daisy whines but is fine and Lucky acts like he loves it. Walking on cement I' m told helps wear nails down but does not take the place of a trim. Sometimes shepherds are just drama queens and since she calmed down quickly,see what happens next time. Another thing would be to try and take her to the vets to just visit,have them give treats so its a positive place.

[sadie2010]

I should add that this was the first time I personally got her nails trimmed since I adopted her from a shelter about a year ago. I don't know how she reacted to a trim before I got her.

[kiya]

I think what they forget is sometimes it takes longer than 5 minutes. My 18 month old is the first dog I have ever had that wasn't 100% cooperative. I prefer to be in the room with my dogs. I have allowed tecs to take my dogs but honestly that was a long time ago. Anyway when I have to trim Lakota's nails I have to put the leash on, sit on the ground and touch her toes, nails and legs. I let her sniff the clippers. She used to struggle but now she really doesn't. When she did struggle I didn't wrestle with her, I would just wait till she settled down and started touching her paws again. When she was really little I gave her a pig ear or something. Now she's fine with nails. Don't do it if your in a hurry and if you even get 1 give lots of praise or treats. You don't have to get all of them in 1 sitting.