Toe-nails!

Lady is a tramp

I've accidentally acquired a 9-year-old Jack Russell dog.

He's clattering around on these insanely long toenails, and it doesn't look comfortable. Do dog toe-nails need to be cut? Is that a "thing"? Do I do it myself (how?) or will this be a vet visit?

I really am completely clueless when it comes to animals, I've never had a pet before. Sorry! Thanks for any advice.

The Diddakoi

Yep, dogs nails do need trimming unless they have plenty of exercise on a hard surface.

You can get nail clippers from vet or pet shop.

If you haven't done them before it is better to get a dog groomer or vet to show you how to do them.

As it is a 9 year old dog, they may not like it if they haven't had a good experience in the past.

Plenty of videos on YouTube, and a helpful guide here:

http://www.dummies.com/pets/dogs/how-to-trim-your-dogs-toenails/

VonVix

Yes they do, overgrown nails can be a contributing factor to the likes of arthritis and pain, because long nails can cause a dogs toes to bend unnaturally when they walk.

I would recommend you have a vet do it for you if you have never done it before, s/he would be able to show you how to do it safely, if you ask. It might take a couple of trips once over a few weeks to get them down to a healthy length. There is a nerve that runs through the middle of the nail, if this is cut, not only does it cause pain but it can bleed. Also, with having a Jack Russell, they sometimes aren't the biggest fans of having their feet handled to have their nails clipped. If you just got him you wouldn't want to harm this brand new relationship with a not-very-nice experience like having nails clipped by you.

Lady is a tramp

Any idea of how much it'll cost?

I'll pay whatever amount, he deserves to be looked after and not neglected, and it's possible he has been. Just wondering what amount I'm looking at ... I'll find it, one way or another!

tk123

You're looking at €10-15 for nails. If you've just gotten him it might be a good idea to take him for a checkup at the vets? They'll do the nails too as part of his checkup. Ours charges €42 for a consultation..

Ms Doubtfire1

find a local groomer and do it there unless doggie needs a full check up.:-)

tk123

I'd go with the vet over a groomer - if the dog needs to come back a few times to get them down they probably won't charge at the vets Ours wound't anyways - I think I've been charged once!

VonVix

I would go for a vet over a groomer in this circumstance as well for a number of reasons.

lazeedaisy

From experience, I would choose my groomer over my vet, she has daily experience of cutting nails, and my vets are always cautious of cutting my dogs black nails. My vet charges 15, groomer 10, and groomer is a vet nurse.

lazeedaisy

Just checking though,

Have you had the dog for a complete check up, is the dog chipped _ first port of call, worm and flea him too,

In this instance a trip to the vet would be needed, if chipped change ownership,

CeilingFly

I'd go for a all round groom. Usually €35-40 for small breeds and ensure that nails and anal glands are done.

As above, groomers are doing this daily and can manage any dog. Vets do it as a favour, so probably best with a groomer.

Ask any other dog owners for groomer recommendations.

stargazing123

For a jack russell I would definitely leave it to a vet . Jack russells can be very aggressive and if they need to get their nails cut and you grab their paw to do it yourself, you are more than likely going to get bitten. Just take your dog to the vet. It will be easier and at least you won't get a bite. x

Knine

stargazing123 wrote: »

For a jack russell I would definitely leave it to a vet . Jack russells can be very aggressive and if they need to get their nails cut and you grab their paw to do it yourself, you are more than likely going to get bitten. Just take your dog to the vet. It will be easier and at least you won't get a bite. x

Lol do you think Groomers never see any difficult dogs? That every dog who goes to a groomers stands there like an Angel on the grooming table?

Groomers are actually much more experienced at cutting nails then vets. It is in their job description. By the way I have cut an awful lot of dogs nails and I can tell you the majority of Jack Russell's have been fine. The very worst however were the toy breeds and especially those designer crosses, many of which never had seen a nail clippers. Something a decent Breeder should be introducing at an early age.

My terrier puppies have their nails clipped starting at a week old.

dunnerc

stargazing123 wrote: »

For a jack russell I would definitely leave it to a vet . Jack russells can be very aggressive and if they need to get their nails cut and you grab their paw to do it yourself, you are more than likely going to get bitten. Just take your dog to the vet. It will be easier and at least you won't get a bite. x

all dogs can be aggressive if not trained properly , it appears to me you have no idea about the jack Russell breed , judging by the nonsense you are posting on these forums about them .

tk123

I’m sure the op got the dog sorted 6 months ago when they posted(!)

DBB

dunnerc wrote: »

all dogs can be aggressive if not trained properly , it appears to me you have no idea about the jack Russell breed , judging by the nonsense you are posting on these forums about them .

Dunnerc, can you rein back the tone of your posts please? You addressed this poster in an equally pugnacious manner in 2 other threads, and it's not acceptable. If you've a point to make, by all means make it, but do so in a respectful manner.
Thanks,
DBB

stargazing123

dunnerc wrote: »

all dogs can be aggressive if not trained properly , it appears to me you have no idea about the jack Russell breed , judging by the nonsense you are posting on these forums about them .

I have a jack russell for your information and I do know an awful lot about them. He has been aggressive since he was 6 months old and I think you would know that since you have seemed to have read my other forums.

stargazing123

Knine wrote: »

Lol do you think Groomers never see any difficult dogs? That every dog who goes to a groomers stands there like an Angel on the grooming table?

Groomers are actually much more experienced at cutting nails then vets. It is in their job description. By the way I have cut an awful lot of dogs nails and I can tell you the majority of Jack Russell's have been fine. The very worst however were the toy breeds and especially those designer crosses, many of which never had seen a nail clippers. Something a decent Breeder should be introducing at an early age.

My terrier puppies have their nails clipped starting at a week old.

Every dog is different I was referring to my own who tried to bite the vet because he was scared. My dog can be aggressive and I just thought he'd like bite the groomer or something which I obviously wanted to avoid happening.

dunnerc

DBB wrote: »

Dunnerc, can you rein back the tone of your posts please? You addressed this poster in an equally pugnacious manner in 2 other threads, and it's not acceptable. If you've a point to make, by all means make it, but do so in a respectful manner.
Thanks,
DBB

My apologies , its just that I have 17 years experience with jack russells
and what the poster is saying is most definitely not the norm for the breed
again sorry I went about it the wrong way getting my points across so I will not comment on his threads again.