First Time Clipping Woes
Maverik, I figured out that fleece is a little easier to burrito wrap with than a hand towel, seems a little floppier and for me makes it easier to wrap quickly. Try not covering the head if possible - not many animals like that. I also have set them in a small basket or shoebox then started the wrap from above so the ends go under the belly as I lift. It's the same one I use to weigh them in.
Then they get a snuggle in the burrito wrap before clipping. I did learn that from the vet when one needed antibiotics.
Sounds like yours are young still so you could burrito wrap them and give them a bit of veggie snack and snuggle almost daily if you have time.
Then they get a snuggle in the burrito wrap before clipping. I did learn that from the vet when one needed antibiotics.
Sounds like yours are young still so you could burrito wrap them and give them a bit of veggie snack and snuggle almost daily if you have time.
I trim my pigs nails with them standing on the bathroom counter. I stand right against the edge of the counter with the pig up against my body. Then I pick up the foot just a tiny bit and angle it out away from the body just enough to see the nails clearly. They seem to tolerate it well. Maybe since they are in a normal and comfortable position with only one foot out of their comfort zone.
One of my boys is very very nippy (so far it's never been a real bite!), and he has even tolerated this well. He freaks out if you put your hand in front of his face (I tried this to keep him from leaping out of my hands into his cage) and also if you put your hand over his shoulders. He does not handle restraint well!
I think letting them see and play with the clippers is a great idea. They are so curious.
One of my boys is very very nippy (so far it's never been a real bite!), and he has even tolerated this well. He freaks out if you put your hand in front of his face (I tried this to keep him from leaping out of my hands into his cage) and also if you put your hand over his shoulders. He does not handle restraint well!
I think letting them see and play with the clippers is a great idea. They are so curious.
My pig's side is against my belly. Facing to my right to do the left feet. Facing to my left to do the pig's right feet.
Here's nail clipping pictures! (I've not used photobucket in a long time, hope this works!)
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2308ea.jpg
Me holding Gus getting ready to trim nails on left hind foot. Gus is about 3 months old and has had this done twice (I think). He's not real comfortable being handled yet, but is a pretty calm pig. His body is up against my stomach and he really can't go anywhere. He would probably be even happier if he had a towel to stand on, because the counter is a little slippery. He is nice and calm here.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2312ea.jpg
Clipping his left front foot. He's still not worried.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2314ea.jpg
This is the right hind foot. He is kicking a little bit here, but overall doing well.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2313ea.jpg
Right front foot. It isn't real obvious from the pictures, but he is well restrained. His body is against my stomach. He can't go backwards because my arm and hand are there and my other hand is in front of him.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2321ea.jpg
This is Gizmo, my bitey pig. He is high strung and does not take well to handling (but is only 3 months old, so I have hope!). He does not tolerate hands in front of him (he races forward to push me out of the way) or hands over his back or shoulders (he will fling and push until he is out from under my hand). I probably should wear a long sleeve shirt since I have bare skin right by his face if he should become unhappy with me... So far he has handled trims really well. I just have to be a bit more patient about him wiggling!
[Pictures cropped, added - Lynx]
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2308ea.jpg
Me holding Gus getting ready to trim nails on left hind foot. Gus is about 3 months old and has had this done twice (I think). He's not real comfortable being handled yet, but is a pretty calm pig. His body is up against my stomach and he really can't go anywhere. He would probably be even happier if he had a towel to stand on, because the counter is a little slippery. He is nice and calm here.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2312ea.jpg
Clipping his left front foot. He's still not worried.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2314ea.jpg
This is the right hind foot. He is kicking a little bit here, but overall doing well.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2313ea.jpg
Right front foot. It isn't real obvious from the pictures, but he is well restrained. His body is against my stomach. He can't go backwards because my arm and hand are there and my other hand is in front of him.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh26 ... 2321ea.jpg
This is Gizmo, my bitey pig. He is high strung and does not take well to handling (but is only 3 months old, so I have hope!). He does not tolerate hands in front of him (he races forward to push me out of the way) or hands over his back or shoulders (he will fling and push until he is out from under my hand). I probably should wear a long sleeve shirt since I have bare skin right by his face if he should become unhappy with me... So far he has handled trims really well. I just have to be a bit more patient about him wiggling!
[Pictures cropped, added - Lynx]
- GP_mum
- Supporter in '13
Thanks for sharing the pictures. The pigs look really quite calm and I'm always on the look out for how people trim the front paws on their own. The hold looks similar to a video posted but clearer in that you've mentioned how the pig can't really have much room to wriggle and move around.