Grooming a pup? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Diesel · 10-15-2004, 06:50 AM

Good morning all! I am looking for some advice on grooming. Our pup is only 2 and 1/2 months and in need of a grooming. His nails are kind of long and he needs a hair cut. When do you think is the right time to bring him for his first visit? I'm also nervous cause I'm afraid he's going to freak out and it will hurt him when they clip his nails. Do you think it's hard to clip them on your own? Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
-Elizabeth

Higgin's Mom · 10-15-2004, 07:24 AM

I remember with fondness trimming and FILING my English Setters nails while they SLEPT! They loved it. Higgins? NO WAY, JOSE! He is in constant motion and won't stand for any grooming, let alone nail trimming. Having said that, there are lots of Yorkies here who LOVE or at least tolerate grooming and nail trimming. It really depends on your puppy.

My advice? Find the very best groomer you can, a groomer who really loves little ones and has great patience. If I had it to do over again? I would take him for just a nice bath at the groomers. Then I'd take him a week later for a little trim and a treat, then the nails.....

But start by brushing him each day....once or twice.....and praising him.....Now I DID do this and it didn't help at all with Higgins.....sigh......

I hope you have one of the good ones.........

0obabyo0 · 10-15-2004, 07:40 AM

I took baby to Petco for grooming....i had to wait until he had his rabies shot...! But petco did a pretty good job it was only $30.00 for the groom!

Diesel · 10-15-2004, 08:18 AM

Great thanks! I'm going to take him tomorrow for a bath to start. Then transition him slowly, like Higgins Mom suggested. Also, did your pups nails bleed when you trimmed them yourself? I'm really scared of hurting him. Thanks again!

YorkiesRule · 10-15-2004, 08:42 AM

My vet gave me a thorough lesson in clipping Lexi's nails. She is like a whirlwind, barely ever standing still but I though I would give it a try. The first one was fine but on the second one she flinched and I cut a tiny itsy bitsy more than I should have (a really little bit) and she yelped and bled. It was over for her much faster than it was over for me. I've sworn off of trimming her nails. I'm going to get one of those nail files that are battery operated and are round and see if I do better with that only because her nails grow so quickly and I don't want to take her to groomers every couple of weeks for the nails. I don't really know how upset she gets from it even though the groomer appears to be very kind and gentle.

Higgin's Mom · 10-15-2004, 01:57 PM

One thing I learned when I was showing dogs is that the "quick" (the sensitive part that bleeds) in their nails will "retreat" the shorter you keep your dogs nails. SO, if you are going to trim nails yourself, just take a little bit! And then trim them a week later, taking a little bit. Gradually, you'll get the nails shorter without cutting into the quick. Also, all groomers keep a styptic (sp?) pencil (men keep these around for razor slips) handy to stop any nail from bleeding right away.

However, sounding just like a real expert above, I'm still taking Higgins to the groomer to have his done!

sngglz · 10-15-2004, 03:40 PM

My groomer made me wait until he had all is shot after I brought him home. I would be careful because you can cut the quick and then blood gets everywhere my groomer did charlie nail and he got blood everywhere she did not mean to.

ldenise · 10-15-2004, 06:47 PM

I have never had to trim Buckeyes nails. ever. he takes daily walks on the concrete road and that keeps them very short. Ahia, well i tried to trim her nails and had to wait until she was fast asleep to do it. I made one bleed. she was so protective. but I have learned to put her in one of those front carrying pouches like you use for babies where they face forward. they call them "handsfree front carriers". the hands and feet (as i call them, husband says they are paws) stick right out for you to clip the nails. she is not needing trimmed lately as the walks are keeping hers filed also.

kindness_001 · 10-15-2004, 06:52 PM

I trim my babies nails from the start. the nail has a cruve try not to go above that. but start by playing with their feet as you hold them ears also this helps them . If you do quick them there is blood clotters on the market you can clot the blood with . one of the ones we use is blood stop.

Maddie-Rudy-Mom · 10-15-2004, 07:13 PM

Nail Trimming

Maddie and Lucky will let me do there nails. Rudy is another story. I did get some good clippers at Petsmarts. They have a guard on them that won't let you cut to much off. If you know what you are doing

you can slide the guard and cut more nail off. Someone also told me to put a knee high hose over the foot so you can pull the hair back and cut there nails easier and to do it in a place they are not use to. I do mine on my glass top stove. I do use it for much else

They also have the stuff that you put on the nail if it bleeds. The nail clippers were about $10 dollars......................Cindy

MeiMei girl · 10-18-2004, 05:35 PM

Ahh! Grooming a new puppy.........such bliss!! LOL!

With my three babies, I started them out as soon as I got them, after maybe the 2 or 3rd day. About 3 times a day for 5 min, I would brush them, feel and hold their feet and ears so they would get used to it. Of course they didn't like it ,but they eventually got use to it. You do have to be firm and let them know you are boss and or alpha. If they pull or wriggle away, tell them 'NO' firmly and hold them in place.

I can now groom them with no problems, including clipping their nails. But, you have to work at it and don't give up when they are young.

It also saves me money since I don't take them to the groomers. That could get expensive with 3 babies!

Gypsy Rose · 10-19-2004, 02:20 AM

I have also been wondering what to do with Gizzie's CLAWS!! She's nearly 14 wks now and has walked on concrete quite a bit for a long time - I'm hoping that this alone will solve the problem? No?! I have nail clippers and used to do my one yorkie on a regular basis as he had an ingrowing dew claw but can't bring myself to try with Gizzie, I'd just hate myself if I hurt her! Gypsy Rose never had this problem!

fasteddie · 10-19-2004, 12:04 PM

I don't know if their clipping their nails will hurt, but it's quite necessary Gypsy Rose! Sometimes if they scratch themselves with sharp claws, they can hurt themselves, not to mention us, your furniture, etc...

Gypsy Rose · 10-19-2004, 01:21 PM

You're right of course - I musn't put off the inevitable must I?!! LOL

10-15-2004, 06:50 AM	#1
Diesel Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 23	Grooming a pup? Good morning all! I am looking for some advice on grooming. Our pup is only 2 and 1/2 months and in need of a grooming. His nails are kind of long and he needs a hair cut. When do you think is the right time to bring him for his first visit? I'm also nervous cause I'm afraid he's going to freak out and it will hurt him when they clip his nails. Do you think it's hard to clip them on your own? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance! -Elizabeth

10-15-2004, 06:47 PM	#8
ldenise YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rancho Viejo, Tx Posts: 2,698	its a sinch I have never had to trim Buckeyes nails. ever. he takes daily walks on the concrete road and that keeps them very short. Ahia, well i tried to trim her nails and had to wait until she was fast asleep to do it. I made one bleed. she was so protective. but I have learned to put her in one of those front carrying pouches like you use for babies where they face forward. they call them "handsfree front carriers". the hands and feet (as i call them, husband says they are paws) stick right out for you to clip the nails. she is not needing trimmed lately as the walks are keeping hers filed also.

10-15-2004, 06:52 PM	#9
kindness_001 Yorkies LUV never grows old Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Owensville,In.47665 Posts: 889	I trim my babies nails from the start. the nail has a cruve try not to go above that. but start by playing with their feet as you hold them ears also this helps them . If you do quick them there is blood clotters on the market you can clot the blood with . one of the ones we use is blood stop. __________________ Megan, Killer, Cocoa Latte, and Ebony Lousie

10-18-2004, 05:35 PM	#11
MeiMei girl Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Diego, Ca. Posts: 63	Ahh! Grooming a new puppy.........such bliss!! LOL! With my three babies, I started them out as soon as I got them, after maybe the 2 or 3rd day. About 3 times a day for 5 min, I would brush them, feel and hold their feet and ears so they would get used to it. Of course they didn't like it ,but they eventually got use to it. You do have to be firm and let them know you are boss and or alpha. If they pull or wriggle away, tell them 'NO' firmly and hold them in place. I can now groom them with no problems, including clipping their nails. But, you have to work at it and don't give up when they are young. It also saves me money since I don't take them to the groomers. That could get expensive with 3 babies! __________________ Mei Mei

10-19-2004, 02:20 AM	#12
Gypsy Rose Owned by Gyps and Gizz Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wales Posts: 629	I have also been wondering what to do with Gizzie's CLAWS!! She's nearly 14 wks now and has walked on concrete quite a bit for a long time - I'm hoping that this alone will solve the problem? No?! I have nail clippers and used to do my one yorkie on a regular basis as he had an ingrowing dew claw but can't bring myself to try with Gizzie, I'd just hate myself if I hurt her! Gypsy Rose never had this problem! Last edited by Gypsy Rose; 10-19-2004 at 11:58 AM.

10-15-2004, 07:24 AM	#2
Higgin's Mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 852	I remember with fondness trimming and FILING my English Setters nails while they SLEPT! They loved it. Higgins? NO WAY, JOSE! He is in constant motion and won't stand for any grooming, let alone nail trimming. Having said that, there are lots of Yorkies here who LOVE or at least tolerate grooming and nail trimming. It really depends on your puppy. My advice? Find the very best groomer you can, a groomer who really loves little ones and has great patience. If I had it to do over again? I would take him for just a nice bath at the groomers. Then I'd take him a week later for a little trim and a treat, then the nails..... But start by brushing him each day....once or twice.....and praising him.....Now I DID do this and it didn't help at all with Higgins.....sigh...... I hope you have one of the good ones.........

10-15-2004, 07:40 AM	#3
0obabyo0 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 65	I took baby to Petco for grooming....i had to wait until he had his rabies shot...! But petco did a pretty good job it was only $30.00 for the groom!

10-15-2004, 08:18 AM	#4
Diesel Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 23	Great thanks! I'm going to take him tomorrow for a bath to start. Then transition him slowly, like Higgins Mom suggested. Also, did your pups nails bleed when you trimmed them yourself? I'm really scared of hurting him. Thanks again!

10-15-2004, 08:42 AM	#5
YorkiesRule Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 88	My vet gave me a thorough lesson in clipping Lexi's nails. She is like a whirlwind, barely ever standing still but I though I would give it a try. The first one was fine but on the second one she flinched and I cut a tiny itsy bitsy more than I should have (a really little bit) and she yelped and bled. It was over for her much faster than it was over for me. I've sworn off of trimming her nails. I'm going to get one of those nail files that are battery operated and are round and see if I do better with that only because her nails grow so quickly and I don't want to take her to groomers every couple of weeks for the nails. I don't really know how upset she gets from it even though the groomer appears to be very kind and gentle.

10-15-2004, 01:57 PM	#6
Higgin's Mom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 852	One thing I learned when I was showing dogs is that the "quick" (the sensitive part that bleeds) in their nails will "retreat" the shorter you keep your dogs nails. SO, if you are going to trim nails yourself, just take a little bit! And then trim them a week later, taking a little bit. Gradually, you'll get the nails shorter without cutting into the quick. Also, all groomers keep a styptic (sp?) pencil (men keep these around for razor slips) handy to stop any nail from bleeding right away. However, sounding just like a real expert above, I'm still taking Higgins to the groomer to have his done!

10-15-2004, 03:40 PM	#7
sngglz Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 246	My groomer made me wait until he had all is shot after I brought him home. I would be careful because you can cut the quick and then blood gets everywhere my groomer did charlie nail and he got blood everywhere she did not mean to.

10-15-2004, 07:13 PM	#10
Maddie-Rudy-Mom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Beaumont, TX Posts: 1,887	Nail Trimming Maddie and Lucky will let me do there nails. Rudy is another story. I did get some good clippers at Petsmarts. They have a guard on them that won't let you cut to much off. If you know what you are doing you can slide the guard and cut more nail off. Someone also told me to put a knee high hose over the foot so you can pull the hair back and cut there nails easier and to do it in a place they are not use to. I do mine on my glass top stove. I do use it for much else They also have the stuff that you put on the nail if it bleeds. The nail clippers were about $10 dollars......................Cindy

10-19-2004, 12:04 PM	#13
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	I don't know if their clipping their nails will hurt, but it's quite necessary Gypsy Rose! Sometimes if they scratch themselves with sharp claws, they can hurt themselves, not to mention us, your furniture, etc...

10-19-2004, 01:21 PM	#14
Gypsy Rose Owned by Gyps and Gizz Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wales Posts: 629	You're right of course - I musn't put off the inevitable must I?!! LOL