What do you think of this device?

[milos_mommy]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1463197935/the-doggie-lift-the-easiest-way-to-cut-your-dogs-n

A friend posted this on FB.


I'll save my answer til I hear from some of you...

 

[Dogdragoness]

Yeah, I think that would freak my dog out more, but it is a pretty novel idea, though, and I could see where it could be useful.

 

[Locke]

I've seen them used before, not a new concept.

Works for some dogs, not for all. I'm in favour if it's less stressful for the dog, so it all depends on who is using it.

 

[Maxy24]

I'm not opposed to the idea of a sling but that particular one doesn't look the least bit comfortable, the back edge looks like it digs into the stomach and the dog's butt is hanging. I feel like they could slip out the back pretty easily.

I know with some of the worst fighters for nails, if you can just hold them up in the air in such a way that they can't push their feet against anything, they'll stop fighting you (small dogs of course). I assume this works for that reason, the dog knows it can't run, the dog has nothing to push/fight against, so the dog gives up.

Obviously I'd prefer counter conditioning, but for times when something just has to get done and there isn't time to train first, you try to do whatever will work with the least stress and danger. While the dog is still going to be stressed by the procedure they'll probably feel better in the sling versus being pinned to the floor by someone or wrestling with someone. I feel like when you are trying to physically restrain a dog that fights they can start to panic, whereas when they physically can't fight, as in the sling, they don't freak out so much.

 

[Southpaw]

Umm yeah no lol.

If it immobilizes them I'd imagine it's out of fear and not because they're actually cool with the whole thing. I know some small dogs do better when they're held for nail trims but it's usually because they just prefer being held.

I went the sedative + anti-anxiety med cocktail route for Cajun when she was a huge fighter for nail trims. That was our "you just need your freaking nails trimmed, sorry" period.

Really it just looks ridiculous and makes me laugh more than anything lol I'd never use one but I guess whatever if someone else wants to!

 

[Maxy24]

I guess I'm looking at it from the perspective of working at a kennel/grooming salon. We can't sedate them, we don't have time to counter condition them, and if we were to turn away every dog that fought we wouldn't have many clients left.

If it immobilizes them I'd imagine it's out of fear and not because they're actually cool with the whole thing.

I guess what I was trying to say is that if they know they can't fight their way out they won't fight. If you are trying to restrain a dog and he is bucking against your arms and pushing against you with his paws and he feels like he might be able to get away, he's going to fight harder and harder. If he's restrained in such a way that he's not getting any leverage he'll realize he cannot fight his way out and will give up. He's by no means cool with what's happening, but he's no worse than he was being physically restrained and things will get done a lot faster with a lot less risk of injury (to both parties).

 

[release the hounds]

Looks like a sling they have used for all sorts of animals forever to do all sorts of things from nails to surgery and attached it to a doorway chin-up bar

If your job is to do a lot of dogs all day long, I wouldn't have any problem with it. Most dogs and animals in general are pretty compliant in those slings and can make the whole process a lot safer and less stressful in general. For myself at home? I'll continue to teach my dogs to come to me and give me their paw for nails. It's easiest for everyone that way.

 

[amberdyan]

Yeahhh.... I could MAYBE understand it at a grooming salon or something but every one of those dogs looks at least a little uncomfortable to me. No way I would use that in a home.

 

[release the hounds]

Yeahhh.... I could MAYBE understand it at a grooming salon or something but every one of those dogs looks at least a little uncomfortable to me. No way I would use that in a home.

you could say that about the majority of dogs getting their nails done though, i've seen a lot of "uncomfortable" looking dogs in all sorts of grooming activities, most being done by good people on generally happy dogs.

 

[GoingPostal]

I've seen them before, can't imagine the dog is too thrilled about it but see how they could be useful. I have my husband hold the squirmy dogs in the air sometimes to get certain nails done already.

 

[PuppyInMotion.com]

Good to see such a prototype.
I hope it works out well.
Perhaps it is one of those products that people need to try before buying with their dogs for it does look not so comfy.