Toe Nail Sensativity and Hardness

by td
(Ohio)

Not AGAIN

Not AGAIN

I have a 2 year old Great Pyrenees crossed with a St.Bernard. His toenails are extremely hard and can't be cut with large dog toe nail clippers. (It takes two hands to squeeze as hard as I can). He is very good when brushing and handling his feet until you get the clippers out. Then he becomes a bucking bronco and uncontrollable. I have done the relaxed watching tv approach when he is half asleep, I have done the "be still I mean business" approach, I have been given a sedative from my vet and even sedated, he freaks out at the toenail clippers. I have had him since he was a puppy and he has not been mishandled. Please advise.

Comments for Toe Nail Sensativity and Hardness

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 01, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		tough nails
by: Anonymous

Had a dog like that once, and we kept his nails more pliant with hoof cream (for horses). You could try this or coconut oil. Apply every now and again. When you position your nail cutter it is also important to not squeeze the nail sides, but rather carefully place the cutting edge at the underside so that when you squeeze you cut, quickly. Make sure your cutting edge is sharp and you are well away from the quick. Hope this helps.
Aug 02, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Nails
by: Donna

I have had many fosters come through who ran to the other end of the yard when I brought out the dremmel (yes, nails are too hard on some dogs so dremmel is great). However, I've managed to train all of them to be fine with the dremmel. It's a grinding tool on which you can put a sanding attachment. Works very well.

Have someone hold your dog and simply run the dremmel and have other person feed dog treats. Next day, same thing just to have him get used to the noise. Do this a few times.

Then, next time, have person hold dog, feeding treats. You take a paw and hold dremmel near a nail and even attempt to grind the nail. He'll freak a bit. Stop.

Keep doing this, and each time you do more nails. Work your way to being able to do all the nails.

Eventually, you won't need anyone holding your dog or feeding treats. At the end of the sessions, always say 'good boy and all done' and throw a bunch of treats down for him.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Great Pyrenees Questions.

CLICK TO FOSTER A PYR
PLEASE CLICK THE IMAGE


Breaking News

RSS

  1. Chance

    Jan 19, 20 07:00 PM

    DOB: April 2018 Akbash Cross Note that the reason these big whites come in is usually because no one has done the work with them. We do work with them

    Read More

  2. Socialization

    Jan 19, 20 03:11 PM

    My Pyr is 11 months old, and she barks at all the neighbors and children. What do I need to do to make her more social?

    Read More

  3. Urinating in home

    Jan 17, 20 06:49 AM

    I bought a Great Pyrenees pup at 7 weeks. I already have a 3 year old neutered Australian Shepherd. I have been trying to house break her for months.

    Read More

  4. Euthanasia?

    Jan 14, 20 02:15 PM

    great pyrnees 12 yrs old, hearing loss, trouble getting up and down back legs, Just wondered if its getting time for old girl to go home, ???

    Read More

  5. George

    Jan 13, 20 06:44 PM

    George has found the life he deserves with alumni Umka. He gets to hang out with livestock and put smiles on people's faces because he is such a doll.

    Read More

  6. Jax - Courtesy Posting

    Jan 12, 20 03:50 PM

    DOB: July 2019 From Helping Paws Rescue: We just took in a 7 month old big white fluffy who has been bounced around four times in the last month.

    Read More

  7. Jax - Courtesy Posting

    Jan 12, 20 03:38 PM

    DOB: July 2019 From Helping Paws Rescue: We just took in a 7 month old big white fluffy (mix of Maremma/Akbash and maybe Pyr) who has been bounced around

    Read More

  8. Jax - Courtesy Posting

    Jan 12, 20 08:07 AM

    DOB: July 2019 From Helping Paws Rescue: We just took in a 7 month old big white fluffy who has been bounced around 4 times in the last month. He

    Read More