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I've got a couple of older dogs with tails busted open- spraying blood.
Does any have any experience with using 'elastrator' rubber bands to dock the tail on an older dog?
You know the little green bands used to castrate calves and dock the tails of sheep.

Any do's or don'ts? How to find the joint and place the band between joints?

Healing time?

Will a dog chew his own tail off once the circulation is cut off?

Thanks for the help -Ethan

-x-, I used to run yote's and had one of my running dogs get caught by a pair and a yearling at a den site. He held his own for a while but in a matter of a few min. they worked him over pretty good. They tried to casterate this hound, his testicals were hanging out of the sack, and his tail was bit threw and broke about 6 inches from the base and chewed up pretty bad. I took him to the vet - he knocked him out and went to sewing. He couldn't save his tail so he went up one more joint and made sure he had plenty of hide to sew behind the bone. He healed up fine. Anyway my vet told me those tails on older dogs are pretty sensitive with the end of the spinal cord running threw there. Since then I've had three tree dogs that whipped the ends bloody and won't heal. It's irritating for the dog and a mess all the time. I take mine to the vet to remove - I just want it to be right and not to tramatic for the dog. Kinda funny for a guy who docks lamb tails, cuts calves and colts. Just my feelings - if he's worth feeding I'll spend the $ at the vet. Maybe someone out there has better remidy.
Frontier
PS - I know a fellow that tried the elastrater ( bands ) and he had hell getting them to heel with the dogs licking and such - and ended up with the same problem and a short tail!

I would not recomend using bands on tails. Like frontier said the spinal cord runs through it. If this gets infected the dog will most likely die. I had no problem with this for a couple years then had a dog chew the tail off right after I put the band on. I didnt notice till the next morning but he looked ok. I knew there was something wrong the next morning. Took him to the vet and he had a massive staff infection and passed away the next day. Its possible I guess to start them on antibiotics when u put the band on but Im done with it. I eithier do it when they are pups under a week old or take them to the vet.

how much does it usually cost at the vet?
and as pups whens the best time to do it?

Maybe all you need to do is let the tail heal.
I've had tail troubles in the past as most guys that hunt alot have,often you can't get the tail healed quick enough before your next outting and it splits again.
What I have found works wonders is automotive wiring conduit.It is ribbed and split down the middle so it is easy to get on over the tail and because it is split it will follow the size of the tail from the root all the way along if necessary.Just use duct tape to secure it at the base where the dog can't get to licking and you have a simple solution.
Worked several times for me and is easy to get from any auto parts retailer.

Goodluck.

Conduit is a great idea. I have had some success with super glue.

At what age can you dock a pups tail, and what joint on the tail do you cut off at?

The day after they're born, get a sharp pair of scissors and go to it. The first one will be back to sleep by the time you're done with the last one. The little bit they bleed will get cleaned up by the mom. Don't know which joint, I just cut where it looks right.

J.C. Call,

thanks,

mike.