TAILS AND DEWCLAWS

Breeders who raise show boxers are required by the American Boxer Club Standard to dock tails and remove front dewclaws.  This page is provided as an educational resource to those who must dock tails and remove dewclaws, not as a forum to debate the issue.  (I personally support us having a choice in this matter.)  Someday, perhaps, the American Boxer Club may choose to allow us the choice, but while we do not have a choice on this issue, I believe that it should be done in the most humane and painless way possible. 

If you have your veterinarian dock tails:

I have docked tails pretty much every way that is available.  At first, I took my puppies to veterinarians to have them dock tails.  I ended up with tails that were too short for show standard, and sometimes tails that were boney and bald on the end.  Most veterinarians are not familiar with the length required for the various breeds.  I am not criticizing veterinarians, for if they receive proper instructions, they usually do a good job.  If you feel that you would like to have your veterinarian dock your puppies' tails, do it within the first 3 days of life.  Ask the veterinarian to place a nickel at the ventral side of the tail and cut the tail at a 45% angle so that it is longer on the dorsal side and shorter on the ventral side.  They should dig out any tail vertebrae that shows, wrap the skin downward and suture or securely glue along the ventral side.  I have seen surgical glue site split open, so this is sometimes a bit risky.  If your veterinarian does the procedure, it is mandatory that you do the aftercare as shown below to get a clean tail with fur over the end.

If you choose to dock tails:

For decades, I docked tails using a tail docker and sutures.  It was messy and the puppies screamed.  There was no way I could do this in the presence (or earshot) of the dam.  When I came across a method which involves little to no pain and no blood, I tried it and have been using it ever since.  I call it "Painless Tail Docking", because, as an Animal Communicator, I have talked with puppies and they say that this method is literally nearly painless compared to cutting.  I use pain nosodes when I know that my dogs are in pain, and they do not indicate that they need them for this procedure.  Also, the dam is able to sit next to them during this procedure and it does not cause her untoward concern.

Painless tail docking:

I use an elastrator, orthodontic bands, and a sharpie pen to dock tails.  The orthodontic bands tend to be pretty difficult to find and often are not given out by orthodontists except by prescription.  So I've put together a kit you can purchase if you wish to obtain the supplies affordably.  Also, there is a list of supplies below if you want to find them yourself.

I also use homeopathic pain nosodes to prevent or reduce pain for the babies.  You can find it under the RESOURCE section below.  As an Animal Communicator, I talk to my babies about this.  Whether or not you support energetic Animal Communication is up to you to decide.  However, if it resonates with you, I can tell you that the babies tell me that they don't feel pain with the banding if done very soon after birth and using pain nosodes.  It also helps to give them a bottle beforehand and get them "milk drunk".  When I check in with them over time, they report no pain from the banding.

They don't particularly like the dewclaw removal and they will usually squeak momentarily.  I can feel their discomfort as an Animal Communicator and Intuitive, but you can see it physically as well.  However, they quickly go back to sleep and tell me that the pain is brief.

Dewclaw removal:

Dewclaws are simple to remove.  Just do it within 3 days of birth when you dock tails.  My preferred method is to place suture scissors at the base of the toe and snip, then snip out any remaining bone and clean up the wound, putting with pressure on with gauze or cosmetic cotton wipe.  My second method:  Place a curved forceps (hemostat) on the toe next to the leg, clamp down, and either snip with suture scissors or your thumbnail. Hold pressure to prevent bleeding, remove any tiny bone sticking out and/or dangling skin.  Put Mendwell on it for a few days.  There is also another method using your thumbnail that is shown below.  It is not my preferred method but is shown for reference.


Video Demonstration of Painless Tail Docking and Dew Claw Removal
We recommend banding tails and using suture scissors to remove dewclaws

Easy aftercare technique for banded tails

Video Demonstration of what is normal a few days after docking

Video of dewclaw removal using Suture Scissors - recommended method

Video of dewclaw removal using Thumbnail instead of Scissors/Forceps
(not the method that we recommend)

List of Supplies used in videos

Stainless steel elastrator
1/8" orthodontic bands - DO NOT USE a larger size for larger dogs.  Bands over 1/8" are not tight enough
Hemostats - curved
3.5" suture scissors
Mendwell
Dime and Nickel
Sharpie pen
Pain support safe for neonates