Grinding a dog’s nails: Crazy or genius?
If you’ve been following our dog nail trimming series, you’ve already read (and watched) about getting to know your dog’s nails, the mistakes people make when trimming their dog’s nails, how to get your dog comfortable with having his paws handled, and how to introduce the grinding tool to your dog. In our fifth and final article in the nail trim series, you’ll learn exactly how to use the Dremel to trim your dog’s nails.
This is the easy part. You’ve already worked with your dog to get her used to having her paws held without fear or growling, and you’ve paired the noise of the Dremel tool with really tasty food. Now, all that’s left is to actually trim some nails!
Here’s how to trim your dog’s nails with grinding tool like the Dremel.
- Provide a comfy spot for your dog to sit or lie down.
- Have some of those fabulous treats at the ready.
- Turn the Dremel on, ask your dog for her paw.
- Hold the paw firmly, but gently and put the grinding tool directly on the dog’s nail briefly, grinding some of the nail.
- Click (or yip) and let go of your dog’s paw.
- Deliver a fabulous treat.
- Repeat!
Be careful.
You want to tap, tap, tap the Dremel on the nail, not hold the Dremel there for any duration. The friction can heat the dog’s nail and it can be uncomfortable for the dog. If your dog is new to this, do just one nail and be done with the whole thing. You can give it another go tomorrow. Your main goal is to ensure the dog is enjoying the process and is voluntarily staying with you.
Talk back! Let me know how your grinding sessions go and if you like grinding better than clipping.
This is such a great video! I love the explanation and you can really see how willing Nemo is! Thanks, Laurie!
Katharine
http://www.paytington.com
It would be useful to describe the direction of the Dremmel’s rotation in relation to the paw.
Hi John, thanks for stopping in. I don’t know how to change the direction of the Dremel’s rotation, so I’m not sure how to answer your question. I turn the Dremel on, then apply it in short instances to the dog’s nail. The Dremel is turning in whatever direction the tool is set up to turn. Sorry I can’t provide more info.
You can’t change the direction of the Dremel tool – but you can make certain that how you hold it does not have the rotation pressing the nail “into” the paw. Keeping the tool going so the rotation “extends” the nail helps insure there isn’t an uncomfortable shove in, and limits the chance the dog will jerk away from the tool.
I must be doing it right — no jerking away from my guys. 🙂 Thanks!
I see that this post is four months old but I’ll reply anyway. Maybe someone will find this useful.. I saw a video by a vet that said the drum should rotate in the direction the nail grows, so out, away from the paw. If it rotates in the other direction it pushes the nail back into the paw and it’s uncomfortable for the dog. Unfortunately this means one can be forced to get into some awkward positions to get the rotation in the right direction. It’s worth it for the dog’s comfort.
Laurie, thanks for this great series, I am looking forward to getting started with my dog! Which attachment do you use on the Dremel? I’m assuming it’s a sanding band? My machine came with fine, medium, and coarse versions and I’d love to know what to use and what part to repurchase. Thanks!
Yes, the sanding bands (sometimes called drums). Since you have one of each, try each of them out to see which one you like the best. You can buy just the drum/band, I believe. Happy dremeling!
Unfortunately, this video is about the whole process of cutting/trimming/dremeling your dog’s nails, and I was looking for more about the mechanics of how much to grind off so that the quick retreats and at what angle, like when you clip the nails. My dog can do all of these steps luckily, so it looks like I’m ahead of the game I guess, but what about how often and how far to grind, and at what angle?
Five videos to state the obvious without a close up to show the actual technique was a tease. Most dog owners know how to make a dog comfortable. We needed some specific technique.
I was taught that the dremel should not be applied for more than 3 seconds at a time because it heats up the nail, which is obviously uncomfortable. I was also taught NOT to apply pressure but let the dremel work on its own. Perhaps the reason he pulls away is because of those two things.
Thanks for the videos! These are great. What about the hind legs? How do you position the dog?
I just came across the 5 part series about dog nail trims. I have a question regarding how many training sessions, hours or days you should be working up from getting your dog used to handling their paws to getting the dog used to the dremmel to then actually trimming the nails. Does this vary from dog to dog?
How do you do the back nails?
Great question! I hold the larger dogs paws sort of like a farrier holds a horse’s hoof. Or, if the dog is lying down, I have easy access that way, too.
Great video about Nail Trimming of dogs. I learn so much things about dog nail grinder and nails trimming. I also bought Dremel 7300-PT nail grinder for my dog from bestdognailgrinder.com. It working very good and it has an amazing features. When I use this grinder, my dig feels too good. But, after reading this post, I know the proper way to trim the dog nails. Thanks for sharing.