There are many reasons for performing this procedure from the need to protect certain breeds from tail damage, for hygiene reasons, to protect breed standards and to ensure puppies can be sold.

Tails are normally docked at 2 to 4 days of age without anesthetic.   After 4 days of age the procedure can no longer be performed without anesthesia.  The procedure causes no more than momentary discomfort since the neonate puppy does not have a fully developed nervous system.  When the pup is placed back with its littermates, it falls asleep and starts feeding from mom again.

 

Dewclaws are like thumbs.  This digit in dogs is not used for walking. Dewclaws serve no purpose and are eacily snagged on things and often traumatized.

Declaws are removed at 2 to 4 days of age without anesthetic.   After 4 days of age the procedure can no longer be performed without anesthesia.  The procedure causes no more than momentary discomfort since the neonate puppy does not have a fully developed nervous system.  When the pup is placed back with its littermates, it falls asleep and starts feeding from mom again.