There is a better, easier, painless and stress less method for perfect dog pedicures – the grinding tool. (Commonly referred to as a Dremel tool developed for carpenters)

Many dogs are touch sensitive to a varying degree and some dogs are finicky about their ears, tails and other body parts, particularly feet.

Before you achieve the perfect pedicure, start slow and desensitize your dog to both the sound of the tool and the ensuing vibration.

Armed with your dog’s favorite treats, start with gentle foot handling, followed with a treat and a ‘good dog.’ Increase the foot rubs and continue treats and soothing verbal rewards. When you feel your dog is comfortable with the foot messages, raise the bar a bit and turn the grinder on for a few seconds (do not touch the dog with the tool) shut it off and give the dog a treat. Soon, the dog will link the sound of the grinder and the foot handling with treats and verbal rewards.

Once your dog has been desensitized, grind away a small amount of nail every few weeks until the nail is at a manageable length. Move from nail to nail to prevent friction heat. If your dog has long hair take care that the grinding tool does not catch the hair. A piece of cheese cloth slipped onto the foot with just the nail protruding will keep the hair out of the way (Use a snood if your dog has plumy ears).

If you are still uncomfortable about nail grinding, ask someone for help – a groomer, a vet, or a dog handler - experienced with dog nail care and grinding.

Training is a continuous process -- keep the treats coming – especially when your dog least expects one.

Ill never use clippers again- been dremmling for years now

wow, so perfect. I am going to start implementing this routine. It's great. Thank you!

This is very helpful and indeed a good way to deal with dogs in terms of grooming. Giving the dog enough time to adjust will make nail trimming a hassle free transaction
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I've seen these things around ... anyone else use it? I use normal clippers and it goes okay with my dog. I'm wondering if the grinder is a real improvement or not.

[DoggieVogue]

I've never used a drimmel. I've always just used clippers.

[Lunareclipse]

I tried a dremel. St. Bernard attacked it and tore it up. She seems ok with clippers, so clippers it is.

amazing how dogs know what they like. I had a shep/lab mix and she would let me know if she wanted a shower or bath. I would say wash time. her ears would perk up. say she wanted a shower that time. I would say 'you want a bath" and she would sit there. I would say "you want a shower " and she would run as fast as she could for that bathroom and be already in the shower when I got there. what lovely dog she was.

I have heard alot of good things about the dremel. i have not used one. going to try it though.

Been using a dremmel for years now and wouldn't use anything other. Since our dogs walk for 4+ hours daily on a mix of concrete, grey sand, grass, bogs etc I can't afford to risk nails crushing/splitting so clippers are out. Most of our dogs took easily to the dremmel as its much more soothing and gentle then clippers and for smaller dogs you can use a human manicure set instead of a dremmel. We usually put the dogs up on a table in the kennel, block any drop points, put down a bowl of canned sardines/pilchards, crush it up, let them feed and bring their feet back like for horses and start filing. It also means you can file it to the natural shape as opposed to a straight cut whereever you can.