Getting the fur between the toes......

[BeckiHutton]

Lily absolutely hates it when I try to cut the fur between her toes. I don't know why, I have tried doing it twice- the first time wasn't too bad but I've just tried doing it again and she hated it. She wouldn't stay still, she kept squeaking as if I was hurting her (I wasn't!!!!!) and she kept nipping me. I'd stop every time I did a little bit and massaged just behind her head to try to relax her but nothing worked. Is there an easy way to do this?

[Tippsy'smom]

This is why I just leash the hair between their toes alone. Tippsy doesn't care what I do with it now... But I still just leave it.

[BeckiHutton]

I was told that if you leave it, it can cause problems- bits can get stuck between the toes and actually migrate into the body.... Is this not true?

[Sarahloo]

I don't think that's true!

Just do it when she is really, really tired! Just one paw. And do the next paw the next time she is really tired.

[Tippsy'smom]

I was told that if you leave it, it can cause problems- bits can get stuck between the toes and actually migrate into the body.... Is this not true?

I've NEVER heard that before... I make sure I run a comb through it a few times a week, but other than that, I leave it alone...

[BeckiHutton]

Lol ok I'll stop doing it then if it upsets her that much then there is no point

[atphiladelphia]

I never trim that fur! no problems yet. and i think its cute so characteristic of chows.

by the way, your lily looks soooo much like my penny. Penny is my 50 lb, 3 yr old female, who is so sweet and playful. Long lost sisters?

[atphiladelphia]

and my tucker looks just like tippsy!! So funny how mcuah alike these puppies can look!

[Auddymay]

I don't trim between the toes, but while grooming, I trim the fur on the bottom of her foot, where the pads are...Lily lays down to be groomed, so access is easy. She is not fond of it, but tolerates it fine.

[BeckiHutton]

by the way, your lily looks soooo much like my penny. Penny is my 50 lb, 3 yr old female, who is so sweet and playful. Long lost sisters?

Lol I'm from England so probably not hehe

[Victory]

I also trim the fur on the bottom of their feet, I do it to prevent too much ice building up in there in the winter when we go for walks. I don't trim between the toes but I trim the top of the feet it they have been licking their feet too much or something, keeping their feet neat is what I call it, and it prevents too many germs and dirt from getting trapped on their feet.

I don't think the fur can travel into their bodies though. Their claws if left untrimmed, (either naturall from walking on rough ground/pavement) can curl up and grow back into their toes so trimming them when needed is much more important than trimming the fur.

[BeckiHutton]

I do the nails regularly and she is normally fine with that- it's just the fur. Lol

[Michael's Maggie May]

[quote="atphiladelphia"]I never trim that fur! no problems yet. and i think its cute so characteristic of chows.

I run my fingers through her toes to make sure there are no thorns or stickers or burrs.

[Tippsy'smom]

I trim the bottoms of their feet too. Even though, mine HATE when I do that...

and my tucker looks just like tippsy!! So funny how mcuah alike these puppies can look!

That's funny!

[BeckiHutton]

I trim the bottoms of their feet too. Even though, mine HATE when I do that...:

How do you fo it then jess? No matter what I try, I CANNOT do it!!

[Tippsy'smom]

I MAKE them lay down and roll them on their side, and then put SOME of my weight on them to keep them down and then trim it. Like I said, they do fight me, but with my weight on them, I don't let them win. Sometimes it takes me 20 minutes to do one paw, but I stay patient and get it done.

[Zhuyos mom]

Try using infant/baby scissors. They are the ones with the rounded tip. Once I used that type of scissor, my chow (and the chows I have fostered) were okay with me trimming the fur between their toes. I'm not sure why it made a difference but I suspect the chows might feel a sensation from the point tipped scissors and panic.

[BeckiHutton]

Try using infant/baby scissors. They are the ones with the rounded tip. Once I used that type of scissor, my chow (and the chows I have fostered) were okay with me trimming the fur between their toes. I'm not sure why it made a difference but I suspect the chows might feel a sensation from the point tipped scissors and panic.

I've tried that lol. It doesn't work with lily

[kimigirl]

They get TICKLED!!!!

I really don't expect anyone to just lay there and get tickled. That's the reason they fight back and flinch or snap.
Scissors are torture for Roscoe too. I invested in a mini hair clipper. and he does't mind it at all. WAHL makes them for the face.
Roscoe always slips when he walks (wooden floor) if the hair between the pads get too long.