Abstract: A puppy tail docking gauge comprising a lazy-tong device comprised of a plurality of tong elements pivotally secured together to form pivotally secured tong sections, with the tong sections pivotally secured together by hollow rivets and a guide bar secured to one end of the lazy-tong device. The method comprising straightening the puppy's tail over the lazy-tong device, adjusting the length of the lazy-tong device so that the tip of the tail extends to a point of pivotal connection between two adjacent tong sections, marking the tail at such point, and surgically docking the tail at said point.