ok. so growing up, we always got our puppies used to grooming from day one. rolling them over and playing with their paws, ears, tails was a normal random occurance before nail clipping, ear cleaning, etc was even started.
now i've got an adult who is obviously not used to having her nails messed with [or much other grooming]. they are definately overgrown, a couple are curved to the point of beyond a half-circle. doubt the previous owners did much with them. the groomer trimmed them slightly, but as they are black, it has to be done so gradually/regularly to train back the quick. i've never had to deal with a dog with overgrown nails, as we always kept on top of grooming before. yet again, inheriting someone else's lack of experience is a an area where i lack experience!
i checked out the book i have on adopting a dog, and the author suggests taking the dog to the vet if the nails are unusually long. unfortunately, he does not specify what is "unusually long" enough to take to the vet. frankly, anything beyond neatly kept nails is unusually long to me! the groomer didn't mention anything, but that doesn't always mean anything...
question: what does a vet do that is different than me gradually snipping these nails down over the next while?
question #2: how long in between clipping do i need to wait to let the quick retreat further back into the nail?
i haven't started clipping yet. she just was groomed a week ago. i have been spending time getting her used to me playing with her paws [using treats, praise, etc] and she is now pretty fine with me touching them. but, will growl a bit if i put the clippers up to her nails on her back feet.
now i've got an adult who is obviously not used to having her nails messed with [or much other grooming]. they are definately overgrown, a couple are curved to the point of beyond a half-circle. doubt the previous owners did much with them. the groomer trimmed them slightly, but as they are black, it has to be done so gradually/regularly to train back the quick. i've never had to deal with a dog with overgrown nails, as we always kept on top of grooming before. yet again, inheriting someone else's lack of experience is a an area where i lack experience!
i checked out the book i have on adopting a dog, and the author suggests taking the dog to the vet if the nails are unusually long. unfortunately, he does not specify what is "unusually long" enough to take to the vet. frankly, anything beyond neatly kept nails is unusually long to me! the groomer didn't mention anything, but that doesn't always mean anything...
question: what does a vet do that is different than me gradually snipping these nails down over the next while?
question #2: how long in between clipping do i need to wait to let the quick retreat further back into the nail?
i haven't started clipping yet. she just was groomed a week ago. i have been spending time getting her used to me playing with her paws [using treats, praise, etc] and she is now pretty fine with me touching them. but, will growl a bit if i put the clippers up to her nails on her back feet.