How to Use Guillotine Dog Nail Clippers
If your dog doesn't walk on hard surfaces often, you will likely need to trim her nails. If the nails get too long, the dog may have trouble walking. Getting your dog used to having her nails trimmed and learning to feel confident in performing the procedure at home will help to alleviate any problems long nails may cause your pet. Because dogs have thick nails, unlike cats, guillotine style nail dog nail clippers are generally used. This tool is easy to master.
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Instructions
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1
Place your arm around your dog's body and hold your dog against your chest.
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2
Hold the dog's foot in your left hand, with your thumb on the top of the foot and your fingers on the pad.
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3
Examine the nail to find the quick. The quick is easily visible in most dogs' nails. The exception is dogs with dark-colored claws. For these dogs, you may want to just clip the tip of the nail until you can have your veterinarian or groomer point out the proper place to cut without causing the dog pain or causing the nail to bleed.
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Place the dog's nail in the guillotine of the clipper so that the blade will fall below the nail quick.
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Squeeze the handles of the clipper and cut the nail at a 45-degree angle.
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Repeat this procedure on each of the dog's nails on all paws.
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Find the dog's dew claw, located 1 to 3 inches above the feet. Some dogs have no dew claws and others have one on each leg.
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Find the quick on the dew claw.
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Place the dew claw in the guillotine so that the blade will fall below the nail quick.
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Squeeze the handles on the clipper and cut the dew claw at a 45-degree angle.
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Apply nail styptic powder if you cut the nail into the quick. The powder should stop any bleeding.
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Give the dog a treat to reward her for her good behavior.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can hear your dog's nails click on the floor when he walks, he is past due for a nail trim.
It's best to clip a small amount from your dog's nails each week rather than a large amount at one time.
If your dog becomes anxious or restless, do the nails on one paw and give her a break. Then do the other paw and give her a break. Continue this process until you've trimmed the nails on all of her paws.
It may be easiest to trim your dog's nails right after the pet has had a bath. The nails will be softer at this time.
If your dog has an ingrown nail, you may not want to attempt to trim it yourself. It's probably best to have a veterinarian or professional groomer handle the procedure.
