Trim them back as far as you're comfortable, then try trimming weekly.
Make it as positive as possible. If she's not comfortable with it do one nail, or paw at a time. Lots of treats calm voices.
If she's really unhappy with it ask your vet to do it and then work with her on it. Slow and steady

 

do some searches on DT, lots of info on nail trimming.

much will depend on how well she takes to having her nails trimmed too.

hopefully it will not be a problem.

 

You could also try a Dremel instead of the conventional guillotine nippers. It will strongly depend on how comfortable the new girl is with having her feet handled and how well she can handle the noise though. I find they are more effective for taking the nails back a but each time, and you are less likely to cut the quick

 

Thank you. If they bleed, that's not good, right? I'm afraid I'm only going to be able to take a very tiny, tiny amount off because honestly, I don't think in her six years of being on this earth, they have ever been trimmed.

I may have my vet do it the first time. I switched to a dremel several years ago, should I use the dremel on her or maybe go back to the old style trimmers?

 

mabarker: I didn't even think that she possibly isn't used to having her feet handled! God point! We are going to have to go very slow with her. I think I may handle her feet daily and treat her as I'm doing it.

Same think with looking in her mouth, however, she wasn't too bad when my husband was poking around in there.

Poor girl. She will have the good life soon.

 

I did a quick search in the Health section, lots of info there too on trimming nails.

a couple of threads with good info. links and picture.

http://www.dobermantalk.com/doberman-health/218513-nail-trimming.html

http://www.dobermantalk.com/doberman-health/153105-trimming-nails.html

 

If her teeth need cleaning, the normal process is to put them under - get the nails trimmed back as hard as they will do it at that time - give you a starting point. Then leave them for a couple of weeks, but handle the feet and use the dremel near her turned off initially with lots of treats - running it over her feet etc while off. Then turn it on as low as possible with lots of treats - desensitize her even if you don't think she will have a problem - got to make it really positive.

Dogs I have trained from puppies this way will lie down in my lap to get their nails done. We still have a bit of back and forth with the feet but they still willingly come to me while I am on the floor holding the dremel and a bag of bribes, er... treats.

 

Okay, let me see if I can figure out this quote thing, to address everyone appropriately.



That's a good idea about the having the nails trimmed at the same time as the teeth cleaning. I know that they put dogs under for this, I'm debating on whether or not to have it done. She's 6 (not a spring chicken by any means) and I think that is a lot of stress for a dog that has just been thrown into a new living situation. I want me vet to look at her teeth and go from there. I will desensitize her the way you suggested.

A battery powered Dremel makes less noise than an electric powered one and has the potential for an easier, not necessarily easy, adjustment for the dog. I've used them for 10+ years with great results. As for teeth, I brush after each meal, so twice daily; resulting in pearly white teeth that my vet says requires no cleaning by her. Proper brushing results in no tartar, no doggie breath, and healthy pink gums.

We have always brushed our dogs' teeth as well. You can tell in Kona that this was not done. He teeth are very brown, gums are not pink and healthy, they're not bright red either, but her mouth needs attention.

We don't have a battery powered dremel, I'm going to try her with our's on the lowest setting. It doesn't make a whole lot of loud noise, I may even run it occasionally, just so she gets used to the sound.

All excellent advice. Regarding the teeth cleaning, no sense putting the dog under for a dental cleaning unless you are really going to be diligent about teeth cleaning moving forward. Otherwise, it will just build up again. With all my OCD regarding Shannon, its the one thing I dont let get to me. My 2 cents for what its worth. Thank you for adopting!

We are diligent about teeth. It is something that I am OCD about!
You're welcome for adopting! Thank you for all the great advice and feedback!

Renee, I agree with vivienne: if you are going to have her put under for anything (Has she been spayed yet? Teeth cleaning? Anything?), ask the vet to cut her nails back FAR. It will be a bloody mess but it will give you a good starting point, and it will allow you the time you need to accustom her to the dremel.

This video gave me the best understanding of how nails work.

If she isn't going under for anything, it will probably be a long battle for you, especially if you are apprehensive about it. I was nervous about trimming my Dobe's nails initially (They're black! What if I hurt him!) so I used to take him in to the pet store to have it done. They did a LOUSY job. If you want to make any progress on her nails, you'll have to be really diligent about it. Daily dremeling. Which can lead to a bit of anxiety, especially with a dog who doesn't know you that well yet! I'm really hoping you have an excuse to put her under.

And, on a (sort-of) related note, can't wait to see pics of her!

Thanks for the video, I'm at work...can't watch it, but will look at it this evening. Kona has been spayed, so this would be an "elective" anesthesia, I'm not sure I want to do that. I'm a believer that one shouldn't "go under" unless they really have to.

Every day seems like a lot. I can try it though. I may start trimmings every three days and work up from there. I will definitely see what my vet recommends.

I would think a decent rescue would have already spayed, cleaned teeth and cut back nails before offering her for adoption.

Is this the same rescue you were talking about the other day?

This is the same rescue. She is spayed (surrendered that way). I will ask the rescue if they cleaned the teeth and trimmed her nails. They very well could have, it's just that it may not be noticeable because of the amount of tartar on the teeth and the length of the nails. I'm sure they didn't put her under to clean her teeth. Do you think I should ask if they will do that?

I made the observation, but didn't address that concern with the volunteer. I can ask them what they think about her teeth and nails today and see what they respond with.

Good advice above but if they are too bad and are deforming her foot or she is walking on the nails, you might thinking of having a vet sedate her and do the nails. I had a rescue that we did that with and once awake, she ran again without walking on the nails. It didn't bother her after that and the new owners were able to keep up with it.

It is neglect to not do the nails. They need to be done weekly or more.

The nails aren't curling on the floor, but they're close.

We've always done our dogs' nails once a week. I never realized they should be done more. I will have to update our grooming regimen!

I think I may take her to my vet right away, even though the rescue likes us to use their vet during the foster period (they pay for all vet visits, food, loan you a crate, bedding, lead, etc). I'm sure their vet is great, but I have over a 30 year relationship with my vet. I trust him.

Thank you again for everyone's input and advice. I really appreciate the help through this process.

I will update with pictures soon!

Take care...I need to get back to work!

~Renee

 

Good info, Thank you Darkevs!!!

 

Battery Powered Dremel

A battery powered Dremel makes less noise than an electric powered one and has the potential for an easier, not necessarily easy, adjustment for the dog. I've used them for 10+ years with great results. As for teeth, I brush after each meal, so twice daily; resulting in pearly white teeth that my vet says requires no cleaning by her. Proper brushing results in no tartar, no doggie breath, and healthy pink gums.

 

All excellent advice. Regarding the teeth cleaning, no sense putting the dog under for a dental cleaning unless you are really going to be diligent about teeth cleaning moving forward. Otherwise, it will just build up again. With all my OCD regarding Shannon, its the one thing I dont let get to me. My 2 cents for what its worth. Thank you for adopting!

 

Renee, I agree with vivienne: if you are going to have her put under for anything (Has she been spayed yet? Teeth cleaning? Anything?), ask the vet to cut her nails back FAR. It will be a bloody mess but it will give you a good starting point, and it will allow you the time you need to accustom her to the dremel.

This video gave me the best understanding of how nails work.

If she isn't going under for anything, it will probably be a long battle for you, especially if you are apprehensive about it. I was nervous about trimming my Dobe's nails initially (They're black! What if I hurt him!) so I used to take him in to the pet store to have it done. They did a LOUSY job. If you want to make any progress on her nails, you'll have to be really diligent about it. Daily dremeling. Which can lead to a bit of anxiety, especially with a dog who doesn't know you that well yet! I'm really hoping you have an excuse to put her under.

And, on a (sort-of) related note, can't wait to see pics of her!

 

I would think a decent rescue would have already spayed, cleaned teeth and cut back nails before offering her for adoption.

Is this the same rescue you were talking about the other day?

 

Good advice above but if they are too bad and are deforming her foot or she is walking on the nails, you might thinking of having a vet sedate her and do the nails. I had a rescue that we did that with and once awake, she ran again without walking on the nails. It didn't bother her after that and the new owners were able to keep up with it.

It is neglect to not do the nails. They need to be done weekly or more.

 

I highly recommend using a dremel. My boy hates his nails being clipped. So we use the dremel we try to do a paw at a time.