How-To's: The dreaded 'trimming of the nails'

Anyone who has owned a dog knows that at some point in time, you HAVE to cut their nails. And just like humans, dogs have a quick, or blood vessel, in the nail that will bleed and hurt like the dickens if cut or torn. While our parents usually teach us how to groom ourselves, who teaches us how to groom our dogs? Many people opt to empty their wallets into a groomer's hands (or their vet's!) and let them do the dirty work. Even after a demo from the pros many people never feel confident enough to clip their dog's nails themselves, however, years of experience and yes, cut quicks, have shown me that it IS possible for the everyday person to learn to give their pooches a pedicure.

• Ideally, you would start trimming your dog's nails as a puppy. This is one of the most important things that a vet, trainer, breeder or anyone who knows about dogs would tell you. This helps them to learn that it is normal, painless, and part of life. However, most people reading this are reading because their dog HATES nail trims, has probably ran away or tried to bite during one, and/or has serious phobias about them (which often start from a negative experience) so let's assume that our readers are not in the ideal position with this situation!
• Before going any further I must say this: If your dog has shown aggression or you have concerns about how he or she may react (or you know for a fact that your vet/groomer has to muzzle, hog-tie, and sedate your dog to trim nails) BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY GET BIT OR HURT. A dog that has it in their head that they are about to be hurt may do anything to get away or stop the action. Unless you really know/trust your dog, it can be hard to tell what they may do. While your dog most likely trusts you much more than a groomer, e.t.c, that still does not guarantee they will not perceive this as a threat. I need to say this to avoid problems later on.

Now that we have that out of the way, the first item of business is the clippers themselves. The two most common varieties are the guillotine and scissors style. The guillotine clippers actually have a hole that the nail is inserted through and then cut with a blade in guillotine manner (hence the name). The scissor variety look like a pair of pruning shears. While many people prefer one over the other, I have found both to work well. The only caveat to the guillotine clippers is that the dog's nail must be inserted through the hole, which can be tricky with a dog who isn't cooperating. In addition, it is easy for the nail to be pushed too far through and cut too short. For this reason, beginners may be safer and have more control with the scissor style clippers.

It may seem like common sense, but the best time to trim your dog's nails is AFTER exercise or at the end of the day when he or she is resting. You'll get a lot less resistance if they have less energy!

The best way to hold your dog is to sit side by side, with them up against you on your left (or right side if you are a lefty!) and both looking forward. You can then use the arm closest to your dog to go around him (over the shoulders) and down to the front leg on the far side. This way, you use your left arm to hug the dog against you, preventing escape, and use your left hand to pick up the paw you're working on.

Check out your pup's nails. If they are clear, your job is all the more easier. Clear nails allow you to actually see the quick that runs into the nail. Clip about 2mm (a tiny bit) in front of the end of the pink quick to avoid getting too close.

If your pup has black or dark nails, you can still do this! You just need to use a bit of visualization (see diagram above). A rule of thumb is 'cut with the curve'. That is to say, when looking at the side of the nail, cut where the nail begins to curve down towards the ground. You should ALWAYS err on the side of caution and start closer to the tip and work your way back. Making one large, quick cut is a lot harder to fix than making a few extra small ones. Ten years of experience as a vet tech has proved this over and over.

You can also look at the nail head-on to determine how close you are to the quick. If you were to cut off just the tip of a nail it would appear as in the first diagram above, with a large, dark area on top (nail itself) and a smaller, light area on bottom. As you trim away slowly, a grey to pinkish-colored circle or oval will appear in the middle. This circle grows larger as you get closer to the quick. Once it occupies about the middle third of the nail, it is time to stop or you will hit the quick.

And what if you do hit the quick? Your dog's nail will bleed... A LOT, so be ready for it and don't be shocked at the amount of blood. It is not life-threatening, however it IS painful and can get infected once the quick is exposed.

If the worst happens, the best thing to have is Kwik-Stop, a yellow powder that is sold at pet stores and vet clinics. This styptic powder can be packed onto the edge of a nail and will instantly stop bleeding (HINT: pour a small amount into the lid and press the nail into it to pack in the powder). Anyone who is going to be trimming their dog's nails should have this handy; it only costs a few dollars and saves a lot of hysteria later on. If for some reason you don't have it handy, flour or cornstarch can work. A vet clinic will use Kwik-Stop on your dog's nails and if that doesn't work, they will use silver nitrate sticks. Usually, they will then allow the nail to heal on it's own. If the nail was actually torn off, however (I have seen this happen when the pet's nail caught in the guillotine clipper as the pet tried to pull away) the vet often must clean the exposed quick and bandage the paw to prevent an infection.

• While I mentioned above that cutting too close to the quick isn't life-threatening, it's one of the best ways I know to give your dog fears or phobias of having their nails trimmed. It's amazing that one bad experience can stick with a dog for life. While most dogs will not run and hide from just one 'too short' trim, it can happen. That being said, make sure you go slow when learning to trim nails and don't rush!
• If you still aren't feeling confident, ask the groomer, vet, or a knowledgeable friend to give you a demonstration. In addition, if YOU'VE never trimmed nails before, see if you can give it a try on a dog who is comfortable having their nails trimmed. This will build your confidence and make you more assured when it comes time to try it on your dog.

If your dog is really fearful, there are things you can try to help lessen these fears.

1. First, try to start handling your dog's feet even when you are not trimming nails. With your hand at his shoulder, slowly move down the leg to the paw so they can tell where you are and what you are doing. If you suddenly reach out and grab a paw, most dogs are likely to jump or pull away. This makes sense since most doctors, etc tell you what they are going to do before they do it so you don't freak out. Although we can explain to our dogs, too, they most likely will not quite get it, so touching them like this helps to prepare them!
2. Always talk to your dog while you are working with him or her. Use a soft tone and phrases like, "Good dog", so they learn that they will receive positive attention.
3. Try doing one paw, or even one toe, at a time. This works well for dogs who tend to get worked up quickly.
4. It may sound insane, but I've had clients who 'ambush' (for lack of a better term) while their dog is asleep. They clip one or two toes whenever their dog passes out. While a normal owner may think this is extreme, someone who owns a dog that has to be sedated and muzzled every time they go in for a trim this is much easier for everyone!
5. If your dog is just too wild and won't stay still, you can try using Benedryl to sedate them for a little while. This is one of the best, safest ways to tranquilize your dog as it is over-the-counter and wears off quickly with few possible side effects. The dose is 1mg/lb, so a 25-lb dog would need one 25 mg. capsule. Make sure to pay attention to the size of the capsules. KEEP IN MIND WE TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE FROM MEDICATING YOUR DOG! While I have used, and seen this used countless times by veterinarians, you never know if your dog will have a reaction or other problems from a medication. In addition, if you miscalculate the dosage you could make your dog very sick. If you are unsure, the best thing to do is ask your veterinarian.

If you have a dog that is really just 'impossible' for nail trims, it may be best to leave it to the pros. While ten or twenty dollars may seem like a lot of money for a nail trim, it's nothing compared to the cost of sedating a dog with anesthesia because they have a heart attack every time you pull out the clippers, or medical bills for a dog bite from a scared dog. While I feel that just about everyone can learn to trim their dog's nails, I'm more than willing to admit that sometimes, it just has to be left to the pros. That being said, good luck, and happy trimming!

It's official: DockDogs to have clubs in each of the 50 states!

Thanks to Hawai'i's first-ever DockDogs competition, enough dog enthusiasts have come forward to launch a DockDogs club in Hawai'i. With the creation of this club, each of the states will have at least one group of dogs and their owners busting radical airs and extreme jumps off the docks while they reach for the stars (or that elusive 30-foot mark!).

During the second weekend of the Hawai'i DockDogs competition, a DockDogs bootcamp (conducted by Kristi Baird, president of Puget Sound DockDogs and owner of Buddy, the #1 Chocolate Lab worldwide) took place to provide the necessary resources and and training needed to get the club up and running. A 10-Step Affiliation Process is followed in order to become a DockDogs Affiliated Club:

1) Submit home base address.

2) Host informational meeting

3)Determine club name, membership fees and officer list

4)Design club slogan and swag

5)Create constitution and bylaws

6)Send Members for Manual Judging Certification

7) Compile membership list

8)Register buisness

9)Create club activity timeline

10) Submit club application, bylaws, and payment

Normally this process takes awhile, however, due to the overwhelming interest it was decided to get the club started before the first ever DockDogs event in Hawai'i ended.

Before the competition at the 50th State Fair, this sport was virtually unheard of in the islands. Just two weekends of high-flying fun was all it took to bring the locals out (along with some amazing local dogs!) and generate excitement and enthusiasm needed to push the club into gear. If you are interested in finding a club near you, or starting your own, you can find the tools you need at www.dockdogs.com. Also, almost every team has a facebook page (see Aloha DockDogs).... try doing a DockDogs search in your area and see who you find! Your local club can provide training tips, locations, and even support in entering national competitions. For more exciting photos from the Hawai'i competition, updates, and contests, visit fab4pets' facebook page (www.fab4pets.com).

Codorus Summer Blast presented by Keystone DockDogs

Hey Keystoners, The Codorus Summer Blast presented by Keystone Dock Dogs is happening right now from Friday June 25th to Sunday June 27th. It's at Codorus State Park Main Launch area in Hanover , PA.

The Big Wave Competition and Extreme Vertical Competitions are happening Friday and Saturday. Don't think that dogs are having all of the fun, there is great food, swimming in the lake, crafts vendors, games an amusement park and live bands on Saturday night. Don't miss the PA family summer event of the season!

Summer fun with your dog: Some Do's and Don'ts to make the most of it!

No matter when summer comes to your part of the world, we are always ready for it. After months of cold, along with the rain, snow and other wintery gifts from Mother Nature that keep us indoors, that first day of Summer seems like a gift!

While taking along the family dog to enjoy the rays is often done without a second thought, be sure to keep some of these tips in mind:

1) Do consider things like your dog's age and physical limitations before bringing him or her along. While you and your kids might enjoy that 5-mile hike to the lake, your 12-year-old, arthritic Lab may not.

2)Don't exercise your dog during the mid-day or excessive heat. This can quickly lead to serious health issues for your pet, and usually isn't good for humans either.

3) Do bring plenty of fresh water for yourself and your pet. Even a short outing during the summer can quickly work up a sweat.

4) Don't go out into the wilderness or unfamiliar area alone or without telling someone where you are. The possibilities for this to turn dangerous are endless.

5) Remember: Dogs sunburn, too! Just like humans, dogs can burn from the sun and develop skin cancer, especially on the lighter-colored skin often found around noses, eyes and on the tummy. If you are in the hot sun for awhile, apply sunscreen to these areas on you and your pooch!

6)Don't take your dog to a 'high-traffic' pet area if you are unsure about your dog's behavior off-leash and/or around other dogs. If your dog is questionable, it's probably not a good idea to take him on a trail where you know it is likely you will encounter other dogs off-leash. This makes everyone uncomfortable and could cause a fight.

7)Don't allow your dog off-leash in an area that you are unfamiliar with. All it takes is random wildlife, a noise, or other distraction to spook or excite your dog and your nice outing could turn into a wild chase through the woods.

8) Do make sure that dogs are allowed! Nothing is worse than to drive all the way to a destination to walk the dog only to be told they are not allowed, and have to drive back home.

9)Do make sure your dog has eaten a reasonable amount of time before beginning exercise. All breeds of dogs (but especially larger, barrel-chested breeds) can 'bloat' (twisting of the stomach, trapping gases etc)from vigorous exercise on a full stomach.

10) Have fun!

By always keeping safety at the back of your mind, you can keep having fun with the rest of it! Now get out there and soak up that sunshine!

Dock Dogs in Maine!

Pete Risano's Mighty Kennel Shop chain of 13 pet stores is hosting one of the world famous Dock Dogs events at one of his stores locations on Sat June 25th and Sunday June 26th. So for all of you thawing out Northern New England types who have been hibernating laying on your couch all warm and snug with your dog during the long cold , dark and icy winter, it's time to get outside.

Catch some sun and long overdue warm weather as the dogs dive and fly over the huge pools and defy gravity. This high flying event will guarantee a splendid time for all.

Everyone is encouraged to enter your dogs at the events or just be a spectator. The event is part of The Sportsman's National Series. This Series consists of several events which are scheduled to take place across North America throughout then season. See 'ya there!

Event Location

The Kennel Shop

200 Expedition Dr

Scarborough, ME 04074

ALOHA DOCKDOGS. WELCOME TO DA ISLANDS!

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
THE HAWAII STATE FAIR WILL FEATURE
THE HIGH FLYING ACTION OF DOCKDOGS®
JUNE 18TH – 20TH & JUNE 25TH – 27TH, 2010


The 2010 Hawaii State Fair will be host to the high flying action of a DockDogs® the independent governing and sanctioning body for dock jumping and dock diving canine performance sports. The exciting and crowd drawing action will be taking place in the Lower Halawa Parking Lot at the prestigious Aloha Stadium, so make sure to take advantage of this special event by experiencing the fastest growing sport for canines in the world.

Throughout both weekends DockDogs® will present the Big Air® Wave competition accompanied by an Extreme Vertical® competition for both competitors and spectators to enjoy. The Big Air® competition features dogs running down a 40’ dock and diving into a pool of water after an object, in which they are electronically judged for the length of their jump while the Extreme Vertical® competition is a “High Jump” for the dogs as they each lunge to snag a “bumper” suspended in the air. With each grab, the height increases in 2-inch increments until only one dog is crowned king.

The competitions are open to any and everyone. Teams are made up of one dog and one handler. Your canine must be 6 months or older to be eligible. Canines of any breed, size or shape are welcomed. Not only is the competition open to all types of canines, but also handlers above the age of 7 are welcomed. We even have a Junior Handler class for those who are between the ages of 7-14.

So if you or anyone you know has a dog that likes the water, gets along with other dogs and enjoys a good “chew toy”, this event is for you! Pre-registration will be available by logging onto www.dockdogs.com, beginning in May or you can register on-site at the beginning of each day. The website will also provide an up-to-date schedule and general information on all DockDogs® affiliated events.

DockDogs® is the independent governing and sanctioning body for regional, national and international dock jumping performance sports. DockDogs® establishes the rules and standards of the sport, tracks results and records and supports and promotes the growth of its athletes, events, spectators, and sponsors. For additional information visit www.dockdogs.com

The Happiest Dog on the Planet.

This dog’s name is Kane.

Now Kane’s smile and twinkle in his eye may look a little bit smug, but forgive him because Kane can’t help it ‘cause he’s only in the know. That look says, “All of you poor saps don’t know what your ‘missin by not takin advantage of all this killa DockDogs gear for dogs.” All you have to do is run out to the store and get some. Or go to your favorite online dealer and order some. Or contact the kids at Fab4Pets and they will tell you the closest DockDogs dealer to your home or a variety of online dealers who carry it. All you have to do to set yourself free is get yourself some DockDogs and you will be smiling from dog ear to dog ear like Kane. And don’t forget, tell‘em Kane sent ‘ya! Aloha and Peace Out.

Fab4Pets is looking for the next Dockdogs model!

Can You Feel the Love?
We the resident geniuses and your pals at Fab4Pets™ recently all put on our individual genius caps and channeled our collective IQ’s together to come up with the 1st of many contests that we plan to do. Why you ask?? So we can bring you all some of the love, do you feel it??! No? Well keep listening.

Fab4Pets is seeking the next Dock Dogs™ model. Dock Dogs is the world re known independent governing and sanctioning body for all dock jumping performance sports for dogs, and is the fastest growing canine sport in the US. Almost everyone has seen a Dock Dogs event on either the OUTDOOR CHANNEL™, ESPN™ or at an outdoor event. Fab4Pets is coming out with a full on line of Dock Dogs outdoor safety accessories for your dogs. This choice and ground breaking gear is the 3rd and eagerly anticipated new line and brand from Fab4Pets.
What’s in it for me you say? All right listen up; here is how the contest works and how we can hook you up with some of this sweet high performance gear for your dog. Simply hit this link on our website and all of your queries will be answered. http://www.fab4pets.com/contest. Good luck!

Fab4Pets Rules Global Pet Expo '09!

The Global Pet Expo Show was awesome! We had an extremely productive show. The response for all of our products was phenomonal and greatly appreciated. We saw some old faces and some new faces. It was great to see everyone. We also had a most excellent time during the evening hours in the balmy Florida air. Weezington aka THE WEEZE made a suprise late night appearence too.

Here is a shot of our hard working CEO Kevin being all suave and charming with one of the many visiting babes at our booth. From the looks of things she has really taken a shine to him or maybe she wants a comp of some of our sweet Fab4Pets gear that has everyone talking. Either way she really has a twinkle in her eye for our boy. Can you blame her?

Besides his native Southern California tongue, Kevin speaks a few other languages fluently. He is probably laying a barrage of some of his debonair tri lingual skills on her at that very moment.
None of us have any recolection of whether or not this conversation turned into a sale.

Fab4Pets Squad Hits Global Pet Expo: Feb 12th-14th 2009 Orlando Florida

It was exactly 45 years ago in 1964, the very same week that The Beatles {the other Fab4} invaded our shores for their very first live shows and TV appearances in the US. We all know what happened after that. John, Paul, George and Ringo were also in Florida that week doing the Ed Sullivan Show in Miami Beach as well as checking out the wahines in some tasty surf while soaking up some righteous much needed rays on their sun starved pasty UK skin.

"If the sun don't come you get a tan from standing in the English rain". Nonsense

Just like The Beatles the Fab4Pets crew is also heading south to Florida to get a little Good Day Sunshine of our own at the largest pet industry trade show in North America, APPA's Global Pet Expo. A good time is guaranteed for all! Besides the late night revelry and industry schmoozing that is most definitely on our agenda, we also plan to get a little work done.... well actually a lot of work! We are all stoked at debuting Dock Dogs at the show which is our new cutting edge outdoor safety and dog aquatic gear line and our 3rd brand under the Fab4Pets umbrella.We will be at BOOTH NUMBER 951 at the Orlando, FL Convention Center Feb. 12th-14th .09.

Come by and say Hi and check out all of our boss gear. Also check our blog www.fab4pets.com/blog for the latest happenings at the show. Or better yet subscribe to our feed on our blog with the reader of your choice so you will automatically be in on the action. Maybe if you're lucky you'll get to see some rare photos of the Fab4 Pets crew in some uncensored "after show" shenanigans. You could say Rob {Founder and Co Owner} is the John Lennon of the Fab4Pets crew.

Dark too early? Be safe and Be Seen with Bright Steps.

I think it is a shock to everyone when we go off of Daylight Savings and we find that it is now dark at 4:00. For most of the year, many of us are accustomed to having light after work to take our dogs for walks. Now that it is dark early, there is no better time to take the precautions so you can be safe and be seen with Bright Steps. Bright Steps use both Fibralite illuminating fabrics on their product as well as reflective tape. Featured in the picture and video are the Bright Steps Reflective Leg Bands. The leg bands are elastic and comfortable on a dog's legs so you can be visible at night. Bright Steps are Illuminating safety accessories for dogs.

FAB4PETS Receives EU Environmental and Safety Certification

Fab 4 Pets the makers of the Bright Steps and EZ Steps lines of safety accessories for pets has received both CE and ROHS certification for the Bright Steps product line.

This was a requirement for sales of Bright Steps into Europe, but also benefits the US and other markets where these high levels of consumer safety are vital.

These certifications illustrate Fab 4 Pets high level of quality and commitment to using environmentally sustainable materials in its products and packaging.

The CE marking {also known as CE mark} is a mandatory conformity mark on many products placed on the single market in the European Economic Area {EEA}. The CE marking certifies that a product has met EU health, safety, and environmental requirements, which ensure green practices and strict consumer safety standards.

The ROHS certification restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive {WEEE} 2002/96/EC which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of huge amounts of toxic-waste.
Kevin Kraft, CEO of Fab 4 Pets states, "It is important we do what we can to meet these high standards of product quality and environmental sustainability."

FAB4 PETS GRANTED EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE LICENCE

FAB4PETS^TM has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to use the groundbreaking patented Fibralite technology for its Bright Steps line of products.

Fibralite is a patented optical fiber material that is woven through fabric making it highly luminescent. The illuminating fabric is connected to a weather proof battery powered long lasting LED light source which insures maximum visibility at night. This ultimately keeps you and your pet safe in the dark and highly visible to oncoming traffic or in any nighttime situation. Never before has optical fiber been able to be woven into thread giving light to fabric.

"We are extremely excited to be the exclusive licensee of this patented technology as it has so many applications for safety, fashion and function within the pet industry," said Kevin Kraft, CEO of Fab4 Pets. "Incorporating this spectacular technology into our product line of collars, leashes, jackets and backpacks really raises the bar and sets new heights in the field of pet outdoor safety wear and accessories,"added Kevin.