Declaw a DOG???

Originally Posted by Isadora44

Who the heck docks a yorkie's tail...they barely even have a tail (and declaws them)? That's horrible! At least he has a nice home now.

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Actually all Yorkies tails are docked at birth because it is said to give them the "look" otherwise a yorkie has a little wagging tail just like a shih-tzu...I am purchasing a yorkie soon and I have made a personal request that the tail not be docked!!

Yorkies naturally have tails, the only reason they have "practically no tail" is because they are docked.

I agree with what several of you have said about the OP's case... it's probably a typo.

Dogs are like cats in that sense, except even more so.. they WILL have trouble walking without those claws and it would put them in a great deal of pain, unlike dewclaw removal (er.. when done responsibly, and not removal due to injury because we all know that is painful).

Poor babies... declawing is the one thing that I believe ought to be banned. That is a 'right' that ought to be taken away from everyone everywhere. I have only heard of one situation that begins to enter a "reason" for declawing, and even in that situation honestly the cat just needed to be rehomed rather than have parts of its beautiful paws taken off.

OMG! I've never heard of such a thing

Agreed... why can't people just leave animals alone...

leave the ears they are born with alone... claws... tails...

If I can just interject another opinion here...

No I am not pro-declawing, so don't panic

But there is a possibility the dog was born without claws as my dalmatian was born missing a few front claws but had her dewclaws. One of her toes ended up becoming infected from it so we actually had to have her toe amputated. So if you do have a dog missing any claws, just keep an eye out in case the toe becomes swollen. It happened to Melody when she was... I think about 7.

So it is possible that the dog wasn't declawed, it was just born that way. And since it was listed on petfinder, they don't have an option for 'born without claws', just 'declawed' so the little icon pops up in the listing.

Or like when people ask me why I docked Karma's tail. I didn't. I would never do such a thing. But with her, it's a birth defect (and you can tell if you feel her tail or look at it closely)... but most people just see that she has no tail and assume I had it done. Bah, please! You couldn't pay me enough to do that to any animal!

So there may be no need to panic It could just be a birth 'defect'. (And I say 'defect' in quotes because hey, it's not hurting her and it's part of who she is. She's not defective... just has a little more character )

Originally Posted by MuttigreeMom

If I can just interject another opinion here...

No I am not pro-declawing, so don't panic

But there is a possibility the dog was born without claws as my dalmatian was born missing a few front claws but had her dewclaws. One of her toes ended up becoming infected from it so we actually had to have her toe amputated. So if you do have a dog missing any claws, just keep an eye out in case the toe becomes swollen. It happened to Melody when she was... I think about 7.

So it is possible that the dog wasn't declawed, it was just born that way. And since it was listed on petfinder, they don't have an option for 'born without claws', just 'declawed' so the little icon pops up in the listing.

Or like when people ask me why I docked Karma's tail. I didn't. I would never do such a thing. But with her, it's a birth defect (and you can tell if you feel her tail or look at it closely)... but most people just see that she has no tail and assume I had it done. Bah, please! You couldn't pay me enough to do that to any animal!

So there may be no need to panic

It could just be a birth 'defect'. (And I say 'defect' in quotes because hey, it's not hurting her and it's part of who she is. She's not defective... just has a little more character

)

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See now if I was writing that posting on Petfinder, I would not check the declawed option, but I would just write it in the description. I hate declawing though, I just found out that one of the low cost clinics I go to, well they have a rescue shelter attached in the back and I was told that they automatically declaw all black cats who come in there because they are so hard to adopt out in the first place and declawing them makes them more likely to get a home

Originally Posted by Jen

See now if I was writing that posting on Petfinder, I would not check the declawed option, but I would just write it in the description.

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I agree and would do the same thing... but I could also see how they might try to use it as a sales pitch to get someone to adopt the dog.

I'm a little iffy about it. I mean if they actually declawed him then I have a HUGE problem with that. But using a characteristic that a dog already has just to get him a home doesn't seem like a bad thing.. but then I also don't want to get the idea of declawing a dog into peoples' heads.

So I see why they posted it like that, but I don't think I would have done the same.

Originally Posted by Jen

I hate declawing though, I just found out that one of the low cost clinics I go to, well they have a rescue shelter attached in the back and I was told that they automatically declaw all black cats who come in there because they are so hard to adopt out in the first place and declawing them makes them more likely to get a home

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Oh that makes me INSANE! I just... ARGH... I don't even think I have words for that! people!

Makes me want to scoop up Sammy and smooch every one of his little black kitty claws!

Some wonder why I like animals better than I like people... Of my two or three thousand reasons, I think one of the top 100 is that "animals don't declaw other animals"

Originally Posted by Isadora44

Who the heck docks a yorkie's tail...they barely even have a tail (and declaws them)? That's horrible! At least he has a nice home now.

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Amen to that!!!!

I am stunned, I have never heard of de-clawing a dog, why in the heck would anyone do that to a dog to begin with ?

I know the stupid reason people de-claw cats for, but a dog

Actually, my vet says that in extreme cases, they do declaw a dog. Front paws only. My dog, no matter what we do, will not quit digging under the fence. We've tried electric fences, but those don't stall her one bit. We take very good care of my dog, but we're so worried about her getting out, and something happening to her, that we're considering it. There are worse things, like animal cruelty. There are jerks out there to abuse the animals. We don't want that to happen to my dog, obviously. It may seem cruel, but in the long run, it will probably be better for her. I'm still doing research on it all, so I'm not sure yet. She's done this for almost a year, and our backyard makes us look like white-trash, because we have several boards, cinder blocks, bricks, whatever we can get our hands on to block the fence, but that doesn't seem to work, either. Just know that there are certain cases, where it may be necessary.

Originally Posted by KittyLova

I went on petfinder and tiped in Greyhound. And I saw a dog with a declawed
sign.. Is declawing a dog a cat thing?? I never heard of a dog thats declawed.

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I have heard of people declawing dogs...they don't 'need' their claws like a cat does, but I still wouldn't spend $ on a useless procedure, just to prevent a dog from scratching me, or my wood floor... Just like with cats, this IS a cosmetic procedure...there is no 'real value' in declawing a dog...IMO, train the dog not to jump up, and keep his nails trimmed is the better way to go...why get rid of his nails?

Originally Posted by PuppyPride

Actually, my vet says that in extreme cases, they do declaw a dog. Front paws only. My dog, no matter what we do, will not quit digging under the fence. We've tried electric fences, but those don't stall her one bit. We take very good care of my dog, but we're so worried about her getting out, and something happening to her, that we're considering it. There are worse things, like animal cruelty. There are jerks out there to abuse the animals. We don't want that to happen to my dog, obviously. It may seem cruel, but in the long run, it will probably be better for her. I'm still doing research on it all, so I'm not sure yet. She's done this for almost a year, and our backyard makes us look like white-trash, because we have several boards, cinder blocks, bricks, whatever we can get our hands on to block the fence, but that doesn't seem to work, either. Just know that there are certain cases, where it may be necessary.

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Try building her a 'sand box' and teach her to dig there...

Also make sure she is actually getting enough physical AND mental stimulation each day...digging is a boredom behavior, as well as a 'natural' behavior in some hound breeds. It is managed with training, and in my humble opinion, even with declawing, you will find that you will still have holes, and bloody paws...the behavior is set in, so you need to retrain her attention either way.

I can't imagine totally declawing a dog... I feel sick just thinking about it!


My dogs both have their declaws too (front only) and they use them a LOT for many different things...

You know, they do make Soft Paws for dogs...

Someone asked about a petfinders ad they saw on another forum, and they too said most people mean dew claws.

My dog, no matter what we do, will not quit digging under the fence. We've tried electric fences, but those don't stall her one bit. We take very good care of my dog, but we're so worried about her getting out, and something happening to her, that we're considering it.

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Why not buy a chainlink dog run and put it on a slab of cement? Better yet how about not leaving her outside unattended, just out for potty breaks? Also ripping your dogs nails out isn't going to stop the digging, she may not have nails but she will still have toes. Maybe you should just amputate both front legs, then she wouldn't be able to dig at all.

Goodluck finding a veterinarian who will declaw a dog, I imagine just not leaving the dog unattended and actually training your dog would be cheaper. Dog declawing even done by someone expirienced in it can result in lots of pain for the dog and early onset of arthritis.

Originally Posted by Plebayo

Someone asked about a petfinders ad they saw on another forum, and they too said most people mean dew claws.




Why not buy a chainlink dog run and put it on a slab of cement? Better yet how about not leaving her outside unattended, just out for potty breaks? Also ripping your dogs nails out isn't going to stop the digging, she may not have nails but she will still have toes. Maybe you should just amputate both front legs, then she wouldn't be able to dig at all.

Goodluck finding a veterinarian who will declaw a dog, I imagine just not leaving the dog unattended and actually training your dog would be cheaper. Dog declawing even done by someone expirienced in it can result in lots of pain for the dog and early onset of arthritis.

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I am very disappointed with this. I was simply saying that there are certain cases, where somebody would consider declawing their dog. I appreciate the people who gave me advice that were actually being nice about it. Thank you. As for the above quote? That was incredibly rude of you. You had no reason to say the things you did. It's people like you who make me not want to seek advice from other people, so thanks. But I also know that there are nice people out there, who genuinely want to help. That's all. Thanks.

Originally Posted by PuppyPride

Actually, my vet says that in extreme cases, they do declaw a dog. Front paws only. My dog, no matter what we do, will not quit digging under the fence. We've tried electric fences, but those don't stall her one bit. We take very good care of my dog, but we're so worried about her getting out, and something happening to her, that we're considering it. There are worse things, like animal cruelty. There are jerks out there to abuse the animals. We don't want that to happen to my dog, obviously. It may seem cruel, but in the long run, it will probably be better for her. I'm still doing research on it all, so I'm not sure yet. She's done this for almost a year, and our backyard makes us look like white-trash, because we have several boards, cinder blocks, bricks, whatever we can get our hands on to block the fence, but that doesn't seem to work, either. Just know that there are certain cases, where it may be necessary.

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Please, please, please do NOT declaw your dog. They NEED their front claws for balance. The nails are attached to a bone. Dogs nails are attached deeply and have nerves all the way to the root. If a nail is removed, the healing is slow and painful, even if the nail never grows back, nerve damage can plague the dog its entire life. (usually due to injury where the nail has been caught in something and broken off below the skin) Pain can also be caused by limping, chewing and licking the feet, which damages the skin and nerves further and may cause infections in the skin or deeper tissues. At least this is how my vet explained it to me.

I have friends with pug rescue, and there have been quite a few that have come through that have been declawed. ALL of them HATE to have their feet touched, and some of them live miserable lives, because it hurts them to walk. We have one right now, that refuses to walk, because her little feet hurt so much, it is very sad. ALL FOUR of her feet were declawed, the poor little thing can't even scratch herself. The rescue vet said that she was declawed years ago, from the looks of it. This poor little pug has lived in unnecessary pain for YEARS. The rescue vet is furious that another vet would EVER consider doing this to a dog. Here is a link to her...... she was found on petfinder.......
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...?petid=9776936

She is now in foster care and they keep her on soft carpet because she will not walk on hard floors. She will stand and hold one little paw up at a time because it hurts her to put pressure on it. She can't go for walks, she is put into a stroller or carried when she goes outside. Her foster mother found out from the rescue the reason for this little pug's declaw surgery....... because her "owner" didn't "like her scratching on his legs".


PLEASE reconsider. Your dog will thank you for it.

Originally Posted by PuppyPride

Actually, my vet says that in extreme cases, they do declaw a dog. Front paws only. My dog, no matter what we do, will not quit digging under the fence. We've tried electric fences, but those don't stall her one bit. We take very good care of my dog, but we're so worried about her getting out, and something happening to her, that we're considering it. There are worse things, like animal cruelty. There are jerks out there to abuse the animals. We don't want that to happen to my dog, obviously. It may seem cruel, but in the long run, it will probably be better for her. I'm still doing research on it all, so I'm not sure yet. She's done this for almost a year, and our backyard makes us look like white-trash, because we have several boards, cinder blocks, bricks, whatever we can get our hands on to block the fence, but that doesn't seem to work, either. Just know that there are certain cases, where it may be necessary.

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No way does she need a declaw.
How about watching the dog when outside? Heard of supervision? Leash her, tell her no when she does it. Go outside with her, every time. Leaving her in the home while you are gone. Crate if needed. Build an outside pen with concrete as the bottom if you are dead set on keeping your dog outdoors.

If your dog digs in your yard the open sores from the de-claw WILL get infected.
So how are you going to keep her confined not to dig while the long healing time from the horrible procedure? Do that same thing and don't declaw. You know they cut the bone right? The claws have a bone in them, then the quick, around the nail. Talk about messing up walking. Ouch. The poster above did a good job explaining.

Seek a good behaviorist, or a holistic vet, supervise your dog, train you dog, give your dog more attention (bored dogs can get into trouble) and look other places declaw is not your magic answer.

Originally Posted by faith's_mom

Try building her a 'sand box' and teach her to dig there...

Also make sure she is actually getting enough physical AND mental stimulation each day...digging is a boredom behavior, as well as a 'natural' behavior in some hound breeds. It is managed with training, and in my humble opinion, even with declawing, you will find that you will still have holes, and bloody paws...the behavior is set in, so you need to retrain her attention either way.

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I want to 2nd this idea! My friends Sheltie was HORRIBLE with digging. They made her a sand box and hid toys and treats and stuff in there to encourage her to dig in there.

As for Dew Claws, I have seen sooo many dogs at work get them hurt by playing crazily.

Originally Posted by PuppyPride

Actually, my vet says that in extreme cases, they do declaw a dog. Front paws only. My dog, no matter what we do, will not quit digging under the fence. We've tried electric fences, but those don't stall her one bit. We take very good care of my dog, but we're so worried about her getting out, and something happening to her, that we're considering it. There are worse things, like animal cruelty. There are jerks out there to abuse the animals. We don't want that to happen to my dog, obviously. It may seem cruel, but in the long run, it will probably be better for her. I'm still doing research on it all, so I'm not sure yet. She's done this for almost a year, and our backyard makes us look like white-trash, because we have several boards, cinder blocks, bricks, whatever we can get our hands on to block the fence, but that doesn't seem to work, either. Just know that there are certain cases, where it may be necessary.

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Yes, please do not declaw your dog. The BEST way that I found to stop my dog from digging was a tip I had read in a book. Whenever they start a new hole, pick up some of their poop and put it in the hole. A dog will not dig where their poop is. It sounds weird but it completely stopped my dog from digging.

To everyone else: I just asked my vet about this procedure a few weeks ago. I would never have considered it, and after asking the vet about it still won't, but my dog has a disorder which is actually a form of Lupus in dogs. This disorder causes their bodies to reject their toenails. It is EXTREMELY painful and her nails are constantly breaking off at the root, leaving only the bloody pulp underneath exposed. She is on some medication but unfortunately there is no real cure or even specific treatment for this condition. I have done my own research and from what I've found it appears she will end up living her life without nails. The pulp eventually hardens over but the nail never grows back to length. At that point there is usually no more pain involved.

So, the last time we were in for her checkup I asked if declawing was ever done on dogs, since I thought that might be an easier option than her breaking them off herself when she'd run around to retrieve a toy (yes, the break off even running on carpet). The vet said only in extreme cases where the dog would do more harm to themselves with the claws will they perform this procedure. They absolutely do not recommend it. The vet said he had only done a couple in his entire career and it was absolutely terrible on the dog, much worse that even what cats go through. Even with the pain my dog is going through, he said the declaw surgery would be even worse, so for now we're just taking it one nail at a time.

I forgot to add that the condition my dog has is primarily found in Greyhounds, although it's still rare. I don't know if the dog in the Petfinder ad has this condition but it may be linked to that.

I should hope that they did not totally declaw them!!! The dew claw is understandable but not all of them!!!