[Dailydrool] nails, restraining dogs, on and on

[Beverly Szaton]

Restraining dogs even to cut nails is an acquired skill. You want to be sure
your partner does not lose fingers. To restrain: face the dog to the left.
(This is really easiest on a table but you may find yourself face down on
the floor anyway.) Ok face the dog to the left. Wrap your right arm under
his neck and around back towards your face. Do it close to his head--DONT
CLAMP DOWN!! You don't want him to back out of your grip but you really
don't want to start right out by cutting off the air supply. That comes
later. Wrap your left arm around his front--his chest. This is, in fact, the
accepted restraint position and is very effective most of the time.
Most dogs will fight tight restraint so the easier you do this the better of
you might be.On the other hand, some jerk loose and nail you anyway. Fact of
life.

Basset legs are short and sensitive. If you can learn to cut the nail by
picking up just the foot,turning it upside down and cutting, your dog may
stand quietly. You know-- the way a Farrier lifts a horse foot and shoes
it-- upside down. The blacksmith doesn't yank the leg forward and up: he
would have a short life as a Farrier. Pulling Basset legs forward and up, or
sideways and out...I personally think it hurts. Our groomers never cut nails
any other way than Horse Stance. But it is tricky to learn. Have your quik
stop handy. The quick will appear as a dark spot in the middle of the nail,
if you can see it, STOP.

Two more things. If you really are afraid your basset will bite, buy a
little muzzle for cutting nails.It  never hurts to have one anyway, in case
you need it in an emergency (you hope not but you never know.)
And, when you use quik stop, do not just touch a little to the nail. You
haveto really push it in to get the bleeding to stop, and your dog may
object, but only for a moment.Since his blood pressure is probably higher
than normal, it may take a couple of chunks of Quik stop. GOOD LUCK

This iswhy I  use a  dremel

momperson
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