docking tails

[DOEHEAD]

new to forum, just wanted some advice on the best way to go about it all info appriciated

[cward]

I'v doc several puppies tails I doc them about 3 to 4 days old you can do it however short you want I always go 1 bone down on terriers and 3 bones on jack russul just use a sharp knife cut it off give the puppy staight back to it mom and the gyp will stop the blood hope I was some help nerver had one die be sure to do it fast it will be easier on you

[jdt]

pretty much what cward said. i dock em at 2 -5 days i try to wait till the signs are right, then pull the skin up towards the but and cut it of. i use a razor blade and a block if i dont have any help. main thing is make a smooth clean cut. that young even if they do bleed a little the bitch will lick it and will stop it. just dont let em get much older imo

[DOEHEAD]

Thanks guys for the helpful advice really helped me out.

[Cutthroat]

I have always did mine as soon as pups were born and used a pair of sisors. The pups seldom cry and it makes a clean cut.

[rdjustham]

Ive used wire dykes.

[Cutter Bay Kennels]

dog toe nail clippers work great up to 5 days old.  Momma will take care of the rest. 

[Reuben]

used to cut the tails on airedales and now mtn cur. According to the old book it said between 3 to 7 days old is a good time because the nervous system is not developed yet.

1. heat up front end of knife blade on stove burner (red hot).

2. pinch tail toward the pups body. this helps to keep bleeding to a minimum.

3. cut tail with one stroke of sharp blade knife.

4. cauterize the docked tail to stop the bleeding.

5. monitor pups for a few minutes to make sure the bleeding is stopped.

6. place pups back with the mama and keep the puppy box clean to prevent an infection to set in.

[okboarhunter]

Ive done all mine that were 4 to 12 weeks with a band like u use on livestock then just keep alchol on it once it starts dying good just whack it then i keep alchol n ointment on it but most can lick it

[okboarhunter]

if i had pups id used some sterilized dykes tho

[muleman]

dog toe nail clippers work great up to 5 days old.  Momma will take care of the rest.

X2 that's what I use. Before 5 days

[ROCKIN ROO HOG DOGS]

I cut the catahoula pups i picked out of a friends litter at 3 days old so he knew which ones were mine,just a sharp knife over a block of wood and a quick tap with a hammer. I just bought an american bulldog pup and wanted him docked,my vet just did it this week at 12 weeks old so he could take the anesthesia and it only cost 50 dollars for the procedure,he was in and out in a few hours. He does not have the flexibility to reach around and chew the sutures and doesnt act like it even botheres him at all.

[pigrig]

great advice above the key is do them early if you have to do an older dog have used a lamb tailing ring leave on for a couple of weeks spray reg with iodine then cut tail off below the ring with a knife when the remainder of tail has died

[cold beer]

what is the benefit of docking a pups tail?

[pigrig]

what is the benefit of docking a pups tail?  some dogs just look plain ugly with tails

[ROCKIN ROO HOG DOGS]

I agree pigrig,last time i went back home to australia a mate of mine told me that they had passed a law in our state that you could no longer dock puppies tails,the reason it came up was he had a boxer pup and a year old rottweiller and they both had tails on,boy what a difference after seeing both those breeds all these years without tails.