Toenail upkeep in dogs- all types of dogs!

Bulldogg

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 27, 2010
902
29
Arizona
Bulldog(s) Names
Molly, Mandy, Jesse, Yuna & Tidus
I would like to start a topic on upkeep of your dogs toenails.

When we got Mandy her nails were so long that they are not even trimable because her quick (the blood vessel that runs under the nail) is all the way at the tip. All we can do now is try to work the quick back by plenty of outdoor activity on our flagstone, and trim the tops of the nails only. When we first got her the nails would just start bleeding out of the blue when she was playing outside, because she would maybe hit the flagstone when she jumped up and the long nail actually broke a bit off to expose the quick! She has had a massive improvement since her arrival, but it could take several months before they get to a good size.

Don't forget to trim your bulldogs nails. It is very uncomfortable for them when their nails get too long. Have you ever walked on long fingernails or toenails? I didn't think so, it must be painful.

Using a dremmel motor is highly recommended by several bully experts I have spoken with recently. Get a file tip and use it to file the tips off, this also gives a smoother cut that regular nail trimmers, so you will not get srcatched if your bully likes to jump up on you or your visitors.

Here is a photo of her when we first got her. You can visibly tell how long her nails were.
 

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froggz

New member
Mar 30, 2010
193
29
Iowa
Bulldog(s) Names
Sadie
I'm a huge fan of the dremel. Jay has made it quite clear vocally that he does not like nail clippers. Yet he's happy to relax while I grind them down. Sadie's due for her trim as well, so we'll see how that goes....
 

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froggz

New member
Mar 30, 2010
193
29
Iowa
Bulldog(s) Names
Sadie
That, was a clear cut FAIL. As not to stress her out I had her come and sit near me as we do for face cleaning. She was fine with me holding her paw but as soon as the dremel touched her wee nail, she shot off to the dog rug like a rocket. So we have some work to do.
 

bullmama

Owner/Administrator
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Community Veteran
Jan 28, 2010
24,756
1,251
Tucson, Arizona
Country
USA
Bulldog(s) Names
The Home of the Desert Sky Pack
LOL I can just picture that!!
 

froggz

New member
Mar 30, 2010
193
29
Iowa
Bulldog(s) Names
Sadie
Today went much better. I put her on a leash and didn't let her take off. After a few seconds of shaking like a leaf she settled down with her chin on my wrist and let me finish all four feets
 

cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
Now I have to say I am new with the dremmel although I have heard so much about them. I did break down and finally buy one cuz I am also terrified of clipping nails myself and taking the 2 to the vet and having my 1 1/2 year old was just too much. Well I bought it and it has sat there. lol. I do admit my boys nails are long but not as bad as your poor Mandy's wow. Yesterday I decided to get the boys and let them "pretend" to have their nails dremmeled while I put it on low and just touched each nail on 1 paw. I think Cutty didnt mind it so much but Mugsy was all up on him which made him mad so next time I will seperate for sure. Mugs wanted no part of it at all. They both got "cookies" after but that was a trial run. After doing it on low I realize that I may not have the heart to actualy do it myself now. We will see...... Their nails are getting long again so if I dont dremmel they have to go to the vets which makes me cringe too. Something about their nails gives me heeby jeebies. lol
 

froggz

New member
Mar 30, 2010
193
29
Iowa
Bulldog(s) Names
Sadie
If Sadie had still had major issues with it the 2nd time around what I would have done is to get an assistant.

The best trick ever is to desensitise them to the scary dremel.

Next time you try, have a friend or family member use some REALLY WONDERFUL treat, like room temp hot dogs cut into small bites, or freshly cooked chicken. It has to be something really special for them, that they ONLY get while having their nails done. Have one person in front of him, keeping his attention on the food reward. Start slowly working on his toe nails, having the assistant keep his attention. If he starts to wiggle or turn, have them be sure to draw his attention back with a verbal command and the treat right in front of him as soon as he starts. He doesn't have to eat many of them, most dogs are content to lick and nibble at the treat. After a while he'll associate the positive nummies with having his toes done.

It does make alot more noise and vibration on a higher setting, but I prefer that setting as the whole shebang seems to go alot faster.

Also, if you are really worried about hitting a quick, Cornstarch is an easily accessible alternative to styptic powder and will help the bleeding coagulate and stop. I've even heard of people using flour to stop bleeding in an emergency.
 

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bullmama

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Jan 28, 2010
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Tucson, Arizona
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The Home of the Desert Sky Pack
I will try that, great idea!!
 

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laurentourville

Wrinkle Wiper
Mar 23, 2010
363
20
Rockingham, VT
Bulldog(s) Names
Horse
Horse joined our family when he was 6 months old and I cut his nails every 2 weeks with no problem for about a year. All of a sudden, he decided he didn't want his nails cut anymore and became really aggressive and tried to "eat me" whenever he saw the clippers. I talked to his breeder, a good friend who said she did her bullies nails with a dremmel, so we brought him over thinking this might work, he bit her arm. Horse is not aggressive at all, but for some reason he decided nail clipping is not his thing. I gave it a break for awhile, then tried everything to get him to let me do it. I brought him to the vet (whom we no longer see), the vet tech tried to do it by herself, eventhough I told her that he may bite, so she went and got another tech and tried to muzzle him! Have you ever tried to muzzle a 70lb bulldog? I'm not sure about this, but can you even put a muzzle on a bulldog? It didn't work, so they prescribed me 2 different meds to give him, I don't remember what they were, but they were definetly strong sedatives. If I knew Horse like I know him now, I never would've given him the meds, but I was desperate as his nails were so long, they were painful. They didn't work, even the strongest dose you could give him, we still couldn't cut his nails! We moved to Vt. a few months later and made him an appointment with a new vet. They were able to cut his nails with no struggle whatsoever! The vet and vet techs gave off this amazing sense of calm and competency, I think Horse could sense it. Since then, I've been slowly working with Horse, we're now able to cut 2 nails at a time with no stress! I'm not sure what the point of my post is, other that to vent on how difficult our nail clipping experience has been, and the progress I've made in understanding Horse and what works for him and what doesn't. I also am so happy we've found the vet we have now. Our previous vet was recommended to us from a relative with bulldogs, and knowing what I know now, was clearly not an experienced bulldog vet. Ok, looking forward to being able to cut all of Horse's nails in one sitting, we're working on it! Thank you for letting me vent...sorry for rambling on!
 

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bullmama

Owner/Administrator
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Jan 28, 2010
24,756
1,251
Tucson, Arizona
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The Home of the Desert Sky Pack
dat's okay, we wuv ramblin ons!! :)
 

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cali~jenn

..........
Mar 28, 2010
0
419
Southern California
Bulldog(s) Names
Cutty, Miila and Mugsy the pug :)
Froggz thanks for that post, I am hoping to give it a real try today if we have time. Wish us luck!
Laurentourville how frustrating! Hopefully it wont be long before you can just sit and clip away. ;)
 

roanne9145

Member
Apr 11, 2010
224
11
Palmyra New York
Country
US
Bulldog(s) Names
Apple, Grudge, Chisel and Rukus
I have 3 bullies and first cut a small amount of nail off each toe then dremmel to get it shorter. To begin a puppy or older dog I give a treat after touching each nail with it on low speed. The same with the nail clipper. At first I don't even try to actually cut or dremmel the nail since this is so new and scary. Treat, Treat and more treats till finally they are not afraid. It has worked for my 3 bulldogs and 4 mastiffs. Good luck and it takes a lot of patience and time to show them there is nothing to be afraid of.
 

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Mugzilla

New member
Mar 24, 2010
176
17
southern bell
Bulldog(s) Names
www.myspace.com/queenlatillyjo
I'm a huge fan of the dremel
same here. the dremel also helps to encourage the quick 'back'. i've been using the dremel (an actual dremel, not one of those as seen on tv thingies) on my boy eb since he was a pup so he's use to it and fine with it. my female eb still has some issues with it. sometimes i'm able to dremel a whole foot in a sitting. other times i'm only able to get a toe or two before she's clearly too freaked out. i don't overly force her. i just do what i can when she's ok with it and then come back to it in order to get her more use to it and less afraid.

she was always fine having her nails clipped until one of my sisters (a former vet tech) did me a 'favor' and clipped them for me. she cut every single one of them to the quick!!! she said tilly tried to bite her (and i don't blame her!). since then, my female eb has been very leary and ornery about anyone doing her toes, but it is very necessary.

it pains me to see dogs going around with long nails. it's painful for them and unhealthy. :(
 

Mugzilla

New member
Mar 24, 2010
176
17
southern bell
Bulldog(s) Names
www.myspace.com/queenlatillyjo
i wanted to add that if you're using a dremel for the first time, know that it does get HOT. don't keep the pressure on the toe the entire time. rather do a type of 'buffing' motion where you go on the toe off the toe on the toe off the toe so that it doesn't get too hot for them. i tried it on my own finger nail before i used it on them to see what it was like. that's how i learned about the heat ;)
 

mikey'ss

New member
Feb 13, 2010
15
3
Oxnard So.Cal.
Bulldog(s) Names
Sargent
Excellent Topic, I was just thinking that our baby needs to have his nails trimmed and I have a new cordless dremel I could use. I'll try an post some pic's before and after also.
 

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