That being said, I've cut several dogs nails on the table without the owners there, this IS my first week so I haven't gotten to do that many, but I have done 2 or 3 with dark nails, while an experienced groom watched to make sure I didn't go to far...fine ... those all went well.
So, the groomer had a dog on the table, close to closing & someone walked in to get their dogs nails done, figured I could handle it at this point. It was the first time I cut a dogs nails while the owner was there with the dog & it was a pretty big dog...bigger than a border collie, but smaller than a Lab, some kind of Mutt with dark nails of course. I cut one nail correctly on the front paw with no problem and the dog bit me....no blood drawn, but still...so, I offered to get a muzzle and the lady said she'd just hold the dogs head...stupidly I agreed. I got the front two paws done with no problem, but after I clipped the first nail on the back paw, there were those teeth again, though it didn't get me this time ... she apologized and held its head tight...but now its freaking out and moving its legs ...the next nail I go to cut...blood everywhere .. well..not that bad, but god I felt awful.
The other groom took the other dog off the table & helped put that stuff to stop the bleeding on & the dog would NOT let us get to the rest of the nails. We said sorry a thousand time and obviously didn't charge her for anything and offered to let her come back in a few days/weeks and we would re-cut them for free.
The other groomer (who's been at it for 20yrs ... showing dogs since a child), told me not to worry, everyone does it...and the woman couldn't have been any nicer about me butchering her dog...but god I still fee awful..
Have other groomers done this ... what the right way to handle it?
Have you had this done to your dog? ... what did you do??
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I think everyone who has cut dogs nails at some point has done this. It is difficult if you are doing this professionally as there is a certain expectation and with the owner there it puts additional pressure on you ( which you don't need at this time) to get it right.
One thing I would say is don't 'restrain' a dog or have the owner restrain it, as it tells the dog something bad is going to happen, so they struggle and that encourages you to work quickly and then there are problems, always choose to 'contain'. The owner may not like their dog in a muzzle, however it is a great training tool and 'contains' without force and so with out fear coming in, fear causes emotional pain, pain causes part of the logical thinking brain to shut down as protection, so the dog reacts without thinking, resulting in a bite, a muzzle gives you confidence and the owner can keep the dogs attention without undue concern or the emotional pain kicking in.
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- Yes, I've done it. I'm sure everyone who's ever cut a dog's nails has done at least once. Sometimes you misjudge, sometimes they fidget, who knows.
As a groomer, I'm sure you've heard of Quikstop (sp). It's a product you apply to the nail to stop the bleeding. If you don't have it, you can also use cornstarch. - With my dog, no, but I got one of my mom's too close once. You need Quick Stop or some other styptic powder on hand. You pack it into the nail and hold for a few seconds and it will stop the bleeding.
With black nails (half of my dogs are black) look at both sides of the nail. Sometimes one side is white, so you can see the quick from the other side. Just roll the dog over and get it from that side. (My dog only has 2 truly black nails. The others are all white on the other side. ) You'll find the uneven coloring on dogs who don't have solid coats. If there's white in the coat, one side of the nail may well be white.
If it's really black all the way through, the safest thing is to look at the paw. Cut the nail level with the bottom of the paw pads. Unless the dog's nail are badly overgrown, you will avoid the quick this way.
ETA: Don't assume the dog's claws have all worn evenly, either. They often don't, although the two front paws and the two back paws will usually be similar to one another. At PetSmart, Petco, etc., you aren't getting purbred show dogs, so their gaits will be uneven. If you need a guage for which claws will be the longest, look at the corresponding foot.
ETA: And don't feel so bad--it happens to everyone, sooner or later! You've got a moving target and a precise cut to make. It's part of grooming, even with very experienced people! In a way, it was god the owner was there--she obviously knew her dog was not comfortable with the procedure, so I don't think she blamed you at all.
My dog HATES having her nails cut, and she won't hold still for it laying down. I put her standing on the grooming table, with her head in the loop, and lift and do one paw at a time. Nothing else works with her. So I guess you could try that with some of the more unruly dogs. Also keeps them from being able to mouth or bite you, although a muzzle can help too. - I've also been grooming for 20 years.
She's right, it's NOT a big deal. You WILL cut many nails too short - heck, why do you think we have the Kwik Stop easily accessible?
It's not a question of being careless or incompetent. You are trying to do precise work on a moving target. If you take too much off, the nail bleeds (and sometimes the owner complains). If you don't take enough off, the owner complains about that.
Even with my own dogs, who are trained to lie quietly for nails, I occasionally cut them too short. The main thing is NOT to make a fuss about it, making a fuss convinces the dog something terrible has happened. If you just keep calm and apply the Kwik Stop when you're done, the average dog will take it in stride. sometimes I don't even realize that I went to short until I go back to scissor the foot and there's blood on the table. The dog never reacted.
Wait until you cut an ear.......and yes, if you groom long enough it WILL happen. - no, i've never clipped too far up on my dogs nails
on my dogs, i just clip the sharp tip. - I was a dog groomer for 16 years, this DOES happen. First when a dog starts jerking around have someone help you. Second when a dog tries to bite you get a muzzle, no other option. Thirdly if a dog really goes nuts tell the owner to let her vet do them, they may need to sedate the dog. Dont beat yourself up, just always give 100% and it will work out.
- im not a groomer but when you cut a dogs nail just try not to cut the pink parts because that where the blood is so just cut the white part and if you do accidently cut it theres this cream to heal it!
- I'm not a groomer but I've had dogs with black nails for about 30 years, and I've cut into quite a few. It hurts but once the bleeding has stopped the dogs don't seem to notice. No doubt the owner of that dog has done it too. And the dog was not co-operating at all which makes it harder to see what you're doing and to be accurate. Cut a tiny sliver too much and there's the blood. When in doubt, cut less, and with uncooperative dogs it's best to take the less in one shot.
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