Nails

Letting nails get too long can cause all kinds of issues including mobility problems, malformation of the bones in the feet, and when running, a greyhound can get a long nail caught and can literally rip off a toe.  Not wanting any of those things to happen, the Brindle Kids have been taken to the vet or PetSmart regularly for nail trimming.  I just didn't think they were doing a very good job because the nails still looked pretty long.  From what I've heard and read, a properly trimmed nail should not touch the floor when the dog is standing.

After a couple of Google searchs, I found this 2008 photo tutorial by Greyhound Freaks.  Here's the nail length I want to achieve:  (Photo by Greyhound Freaks)

I pulled out my old grinding tool.  It did fine until a couple of weeks ago when it bit the dust. 

After considering various nail grinding tools sold at pet stores, I bought this new Dremel Stylus instead.  I like it because it fits better in my hand than the old one.  The stylus design grip has resulted in fewer incidences of me accidentially grinding my own fingernails.  (Where's that blood coming from?  Oh, from me.  I just "quicked" myself.)  It has variable speeds and the batteries last plenty long to allow me to grind both dogs' nails in one sitting.  I like the 60 grit wheels because they work well on those diamond-hard dark nails.  Also, unlike the tools from the pet stores, I can use the Dremel for a variety of household and craft projects.

Greyhound friends have suggested it's best to grind the nails with the dog standing up.  They're supposed to be used to it from their lives on the track.  As always, Truly will do whatever you ask him to do.  Maggie won't.  I've found that it's much easier for me to have them lie down.  It gives me better control of them and it doesn't kill my knees.  They don't really like it, but they don't hate it - and they know a treat closely follows the mani/pedi work.

Here's Maggie's nail length right now.  A little more grinding is needed before we've achieved the desired length.  I don't want to do too much at one time because I don't want to grind the quick and cause pain/ blood and I don't want them to be reluctant to participate next time.  :) 

Based on what we were paying others to grind the nails, the new Dremel will quickly pay for itself.