Dremel tool on nails? Ouch?!

Do you love how your dog's freshly cut nails scratch across your bare feet when he walks by, or better yet, your newly finished wood floors... well has anyone ever used the dremel tool on their dog's nails? (it's the hand sander tool with a little round tip). I just got my wood floors re-done and
after I use the clipper on my greyhound's nails, they're sharp sharp sharp! So I figured the sander
may work - he HATES emory boards since it takes me too long. I figure this way may be quick and painless...

Comments

[sharrblack]

I am considering the same for my doxie pup. My sister has two doxies and her groomer uses the dremel on them. I don't know if there is a special attachment or not. It seems to work great and I would think one would be less likely to get them too short as often happens with clippers.
Sharron in Oregon

[Retrievers]

I've never used it, but my friend uses it on her Doberman. This is her 3rd Doberman and she started using it on the first one because their nails are so thick. She just started from when they were puppies, doing one nail at a time, taking it really slow and easy and praising them all the way. When she first started, she would just hold it near their paw and not actually touch them. Then she worked on just touching one nail, then actually doing one nail and so on. Within a few months, they were totally used to it and it worked well.

My only concern would be using it on a dog with really soft nails or flimsy nails because you wouldn't want to bring it down too fast or rip the nail.

Melissa
(and Jasmine, Kona & Bogart too!)

[Audra]

I've never used one but I understand an issue is not to use it continuously as it will get hot and burn.
(Not what you want.)

[Joje]

I'm going to borrow one from my friend this weekend. I'll try it on myself first - don't know if I'd do the same for a shock collar! :) But I'll let you all know how it goes.
ps. I don't use shock collars - I'm in the city so there's no need for invisible fencing.
I wonder if any humans have tried a shock collar? I'm sure they have... I ramble off topic...

[Doris]

I use a Dremel on all six of my dogs. . some are relativly ok with it but several turn into blitering idiods with both clippers and the dremel. The comment about them getting hot, yes, but don't just keep working on one toenail. .go to another one and switch back and forth.

[Nicole]

I prefer using the dremel on all of my dogs and pups. One of the reasons is that it is easier to get them to the proper length (short), so that they don't scratch the floor and don't click when the dog walks. Bleeding also is not a factor when you dremel. Most dogs don't like to get their nails done because they are not taught it is ok & fun when they are puppies, which makes grooming difficult at times.

[KATIE]

I work in a well known nation-wide grooming facility and we use dremels daily. it just takes a little skill to do it correctly as it would with clippers as well. If your not sure you can do it correctly, ask your groomer if they provide dremel service or if they can give you tips on how to do it properly

[sue]

Have a 2 year old poodle chi mix-he has always been comfortable going to the groomer to have his nails done-they got a new assistant, which obviously I didn't ask if they hired anyone new in the back-my dog was scared in that he didn't know him and snapped at him-I found out he hit my dog in the eye (eye swelled shorting afterward and he's now scared to death to put a leash on (probably grabbed his neck) and now I can't get his nails cut. Any suggestions would be great. Have tried to give him treats nightly so he allows me to touch his paws, but as soon as he sees the clippers, he takes off. help me

[Pat]

Some dogs suddenly freak out over nail trims even with the regular groomer. It is likely that the swollen eye will return to normal in a day or so--sometimes it is the result of a screaming temper tantrum after the bite.

I have been doing grooming a dog for 5 years every 6 weeks, but yesterday he suddenly bit my thumb while I was trimming a nail on his front paw. Prior to yesterday, he was a perfect dog. No warning--just bite!His owner was standing there and horrified to see her dog bite me and then throw a temper tantrum for a minute. She apologize and remarked that she had just taken him to the vet for shots. That may well have triggered his response with me.

When that happens, you Have to grab the dog by the neck and lift it to control the situation and protect him from falling off the table and getting hurt and also to protect yourself from getting bit a second time. A normally good dog will calm down instantly. Nevertheless after a few hours, I had to stop grooming for the rest of the day and go home because my thumb was swollen and very painful. Bites on the finger are usually deep and very sore, so repetitive scissoring and brushing with a hand dryer is not going to work. Had to stay home again today and missed a full day of work. It is part of the job, and thankfully only happens once or twice a year.

[Pat]

Sorry, forgot to respond to the plea for help.Many dogs fight nail trims and must learn to accept the trimming without misbehaving. Some intimidate their owners into thinking that nails simply cannot be trimmed. That is not the case at all.

Most owners do not have enough experience with clippers and nail work to safely re-teach a dog to accept them. I suggest that you return to your groomer to work out the problem with him. Discuss the possibility of scheduling another grooming appointment in 6 weeks with the understanding that it will probably not be a full day at the spa. If your dog has been workable up to this incident, your groomer will probably do some partial grooms for a few times to just re-condition the dog. As a groomer, I would spend some time just talking to the dog before and as I was bathing it. For the finishing, I would trim back nails and send him home. Most dogs are not nearly as sensitive on the back nails and do not put up a fight. I would then have the owner bring the dog back a week later for a dry brush out and trim the front feet.

If, on the other hand, this dog has been a continuous behavior problem, it is possible that the groomer simply does not want to risk further injury to his staff or to the dog. If that is the case, visit some different grooming shops and ask for a trial run with your dog. Experienced groomers will likely give him a chance.

[Paula]

The dremel is my vet's choice for my terrier, who has extra-long blood vessels that extend almost to the tip of the nail. The vet recommended general anesthesia to cauterize these blood vessels, which I think is not worth the risk to a twelve year old dog.

The vein will grow longer if the nail is not kept trimmed regularly, says the vet.

At first, the terrrier was terrified of the tool, but she accepts it after we let her struggle a bit first. We give her a jackpot of treats as soon as the vet is done. I also stuff some cotton in her ears to dull the high toned whine of the dremel tool.

My Louisiana catahoula on the other hand, we had to sedate him last nail trim. To hard to control a 90 pound dog on a slippery metal exam table. He bit when I attempted to trim his nails or express his anal glands at home and the boy has some powerful jaws, let me tell you. The vet also prescribed an oral tranquilizer for me to use for this at home, but the drug just made the dog more aggressive.

This was before obedience training, so we will see if the next nail trim goes better. He has already decided to surrender the battle over baths and anal glands. A muzzle during baths got the message across over who is alpha and it isn't the dog.

My dog trainer has suggested desensitization training for the nail clippers. Let the dog sniff the tool, touch it to his nails without clipping so he realizes it is no threat.

I am willing to try anything since I do not think sedation for such a minor nonsurgical situation is good in the long run for the dog. Sedation means it takes both me and hubby to get the catahoula in the truck and back home while he is groggy from the drug. And tranquilizers, same deal. Getting bit isn't fun either.

[Carol]

The need to keep nails so they don't scratch their humans or their belongings is the reason that one of the first things I introduce to my puppies as early as possible upon becoming their human the fact I need to be able to handle their feet in caring for them.

I start just by handling their feet when grooming/brushing them or just while sitting around watching the TV, reading or whatever. I don't want them to associate me handling their feet/toes/nails with anything more then they would being petted and snuggled with.

After a bit of this I start introducing the emery board to the puppy by lightly scratching their very pointy/needle sharp daggers! Nasty little suckers them puppy nails! This way I start to teach them I will never harm them. There is nothing to fear in having your feet handled....

It is important to me that Bear's nails stay short and rounded as we are very physical in our play....plus, he is a snuggle dog, loving to sleep with me and be close during the day. So those nails gotta be kept filed.

Usually I don't have to do much other than just file them each a bit during the after bath grooming. I use a file made for dogs nail I got at my local pet store. It works real well and I have been doing this with him since I got him as a tiny puppy...must have been about 6 wks old from the local animal control shelter.

I might look into a drimmel now that I have read about it....my hands start to cramp after a bit when using the hand file. A drimmel would be lots quicker if he will accept the noise....bet he totally FREAK the first time I try it!

[Lillian Adams]

Hello, i own and operate a grooming shop and i breed toy poodles, and shih-tzu's. I dremel my own dogs, some i have received as puppies, some i received as adults. I do dremel some grooming clients dogs, if you touch the dogs nail with the dremel and take it off a few times for each nail it dosnt get the nail hot, if you keep it on the nail with out taking it off, yes, it does get hot which will hurt the dog. There are so many of my clients dogs that have severe nail growth, and this has set the nail where it should be. If it is a severe nail growth i only grind a little bit off, the clients return in one week and i grind a little more off until the nails are set. I groom one tea cup poodle who goes into histerica when she sees the nail clippers, i use the dremel with a small head and she does just fine. I feel if a person knows how to use the dremel it is a very safe and efftive way to shorten nails.

[virginia]

i'm gonna get a dremel for my basset hound. when he sees me reach for the clippers he hides, so i have to wait for my husband to come home & hold him so i can clip his nails. using a dremel is gonna be safer & easier on both of us

[Kevin]

Can any tell me what dremel attachment is best for dog nails?

[lisa diehl]

I use a grinder on all three of my dogs. They don't mind it a bit. In fact, my little dog will keep diving into my lap to get his done even when it's not his turn! In my opinion, anyone whose dog objects to the grinder has either rushed the process of familiarizing the dog, or else hasn't used enough positive reinforcement. I have always used lots of extra delicious treats before, during and after using the grinder on them. I put them on my lap on their back, that seems to be the best position for me personally. and they don't mind even being on their back. It is a very painless process and keeps their nails beautifully short and smooth.

[Peter F. Baekkelund]

As an alternative, I wish you would take a look at our new revolutionary, gentle and safe nail groomer/ grinder, Oliver's Paw Pal aka Laube Nail Grinder. The feed back I get from users is most rewarding. For third party opinion and information go to -www.landofpuregold.com.

Thank you.

Peter

[Allie]

I love love LOVE the dremel. Its the only way i can do one of my dogs nails....the other one doesn't care, he flops over and lies quietly (i love that) -the other one is like a slippery fish when the clippers come out.
They also seem to grow really fast, so we were taking her in to get them done every few weeks. The dollars add up.
I read about the dremel online about 6mos ago. Its fantastic. Haven't had any problems since....and have never drawn blood. Can't say the same thing for the clippers.

[Susan K.]

My eight month beagle and I had a terrible experience clipping nails tonight. We went to the groomer and the dog freaked. It took two people to hold her down, and at one point we had to put a muzzle on her because she bit the groomer. My dog is very strong and was almost impossible to control. We got three or four nails clipped before we gave up. I really need some advice here.....do I sedate her or is there another way.

[Peter B]

Susan K, please take a look at www.brooksgrove.com or www.landofpuregold.com
- you and your great beagle deserve a solution, and I have it!

[Vanessat]

I just tried the dremel for the first time because the clippers hurt my dobe's nails, it took a while but the nails are neat and tidy and shorter than I could get with the clippers.