Trimming Nails / Dewclaws

[OHfemail]

I also started to get Gabby used to the dremel method when she was young. I agree with a slow introduction to the tool - make an excited command/question ("time to dremel!" is ours), bring the dremel out and just let it lay on the floor for a good sniff, then treat and praise. When you think your pup is ready for the next step, just turn it on low and let him nose around it some more, being careful that he doesn't dremel his nose! After several sessions of this, and a more curious than nervous pup, introduce the dremel to a nail or 2. That may be all you accomplish at this point, but take it slow and steady. The key to successful dremeling with Gabby is a Kong filled with peanut butter and a few kibble pieces. I wedge it into a corner in the kitchen, get down on the floor with her, and grind away. It's the only time she gets peanut butter, so she's ecstatic when the jar, Kong, and dremel come out!

[JenC]

You just have to do it and get them used to it. I clip the nails on some dogs, dremel on others. But the pup will need to learn, so foot manipulation without cutting, or just touching toes with the scissor but not cutting will get them used to it.

[Shelley]

When I stated that Romeo is a show quality dog I should have included that our breeder shows her dogs and that is what she breeds for. I believe she turned Romeo down because he is going to be too big and possibly some other flaw that I would never notice. I paid three times as much for him than the most expensive Lab I had ever bought so I expect him to be near the top.

Just a quick note about what you said, above. Just because your breeder breeds for, and shows their dogs, doesn't necessarily mean that all of the puppies they sell are show quality. Your puppy was produced by a show breeder, which make him "show bred", or "bench bred". The statement that Romeo was rejected as a show dog because of size and a possible conformation fault, defines that he is not "show quality", or a "show prospect". I am sure your puppy is very well bred and beautiful, he just didn't make the grade as a show puppy, so he went to a great pet home. Price does not always equal show quality either unless the breeder just has a big ego and sells all of their puppies as "show quality". :-)
I will say, that I have placed a couple of very nice male show quality/show prospects to pet families, because I don't have room here to keep males yet until we move, or an interested breeder friend. I am just happy that my babies are loved, that's really the most important thing for me.

Anyways, be firm, and keep trying the dremel while he is young and small, it's no fun to wrestle a 95 lb lab to do his nails, so the sooner the better. Don't let him get the best of you! :-)