The American Beagler Forum

Anyone doing it please post where to get the stuff needed and if there are any problems associated with this method.

How are you going to prevent infection using this method? You're better off having the vet do a tail docking than wrapping a rubber band around the dog's tail and crossing your fingers all goes well. Its also EXTREMELY painful for the dog, if that makes a difference to you ...

If you will read the post on bleeding tails you will see that Sean (foothills) says it is painless. Not everything you do for a dog's own good is painless... for instance I have never found a way to deer break a dog that is painless. Inflicting avoidable pain is another thing altogether and yes that does matter to me. Having a dog bleed out and collapse into a coma also matters, a lot.

I managed a beef cattle farm years ago, and the vet castrated the bull calves by the cut and toss method then sprayed on some blue stuff to keep down infection. I may be wrong on this but I believe most vets went to the banding method because of less risk of infection. May not be the best way for a dog's tail though, which is what I am trying to find out.

It is very common down here.

Only suggestion I would make is to pull the hair and loose skin of the tail toward the butt before putting the band on.
This will leave some loose skin to go over the left tail when the tail falls off.
It will do it all by itself and needs no help from you.
Also, put the band between the bones, not on top of a joint for a faster healing.

Nothing to it and doesn't seem to hurt the dog at all. They will sniff the tail and maybe bite on it like looking for a flea for a short time then forget about it.
You will find it in the pen after it falls off.

Folks here run the dogs while its on and had them fall off in the field. Sometimes they will bleed just a little, stop by itself.

I have docked a tail on 3 or 4 dogs using a rubber band and it never appeared that the dog was in any pain and never had any problems.

i would not do on a full grown hound, newborn pups is a difrent story. i would think talking to your vet mite help u in make your mind up.

Oh, talking to my vet has already made my mind up.... to avoid going back if at all possible.

I have never heard anyone say they TRIED castration but would never do it again. The naysayers I have heard are always folks who have never done it! When Alabama John or SR Patch endorse something, you can take it to the bank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can listen to John or not but (like always) he is telling you the honest truth! I have used the castration bands numerous times over the years on both tails and dew claws. It is probably best to have someone show you how to do it the first time. Here are some additional tips: release the band by rolling it off the tool (rather than closing the tool); use two bands and if the tail does not fall off by 10 days, cut BETWEEN the two bands with something like game shears: a little blue lotion spray or other topical antiseptic will not hurt if there is any sign of rawness or inflamation when the tip severes. I have NEVER had a serious infection with this method even in the summer. Some guys give antibiotics and/or tetnus shots but I do not routinely do so. The recovery time and results are BETTER than surgery. In fact, you can run the dog with the band on if you like! The only thing that went "wrong" for me with this technique is that I had a female chew the tip of her tail off in her attempt to get the band off. The tail healed quickly and the result was one of the BEST dockings I have done at home. The rest of the times I have done it, the dog showed NO SIGN of distress - the tail must go numb within a minute or two. For a sore tailed beagle this is NOT pain - it is RELIEF! I find nothing CRUEL about that!

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Where do you buy the bands and the tool to put them on?

How much is it for the Vet to do it????

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Steve; I've got the proper tool (got it from a farmer freind). It is stainless steel and looks like pliers, except there are 4 small prongs on the end. I'd expect the same stores that sell the bands would be able to get them. You slip the band over the prongs, squeeze the handle (which opens the prongs and the band, then slip it on the tail. Quick, and easy, and yes, this method works well, and I've never had a hound have an adverse reaction to it. I'm surprised by the fellows who say "they chew at it for a while", as I've never had a hound even notice it was on after about 2 minutes. One suggestion, make certain the bands are fairly new, and still supple, or they could cause problems.

Boomerx wrote:Steve; I've got the proper tool (got it from a farmer freind). It is stainless steel and looks like pliers, except there are 4 small prongs on the end. I'd expect the same stores that sell the bands would be able to get them. You slip the band over the prongs, squeeze the handle (which opens the prongs and the band, then slip it on the tail. Quick, and easy, and yes, this method works well, and I've never had a hound have an adverse reaction to it. I'm surprised by the fellows who say "they chew at it for a while", as I've never had a hound even notice it was on after about 2 minutes. One suggestion, make certain the bands are fairly new, and still supple, or they could cause problems.

Sounds like the tool described is similar to snap ring pliers, you squeeze and it opens. I've seen them at farm/feed stores - Southern States & Tractor Supply.

I think im gona pic some up tommrow cause my dogs tail is just getting worse. How much should i take off?? And how long does it take for it too fall off?? And can ya still run the dog when he has his tail banded?

http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/pro ... ept_id=492
On that link it says that the tool is not recomended for dogs.