How to Prevent Dog Scratches on a Hardwood Floor
If you've recently installed hardwood floors you know how difficult it can be to maintain their sheen and pristine appearance. Your dog's nails, for instance, can quickly mar your hardwood. Dog's nails grow out for a few millimeters before they begin to grow down. When they begin to grow down, they can damage your hardwood floor. Prevent this by trimming the dog's nails every few weeks. You can also put nail caps on the dog that will protect your hardwood floors without damaging your dog's nails. Nail caps can last anywhere from four to six weeks. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Dog nail clippers
- Dog treats
- Nail cap kit
Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.
A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.
Instructions
-
-
1
Get the dog to sit or lay on the floor. Work with your dog when you think he will be calm.
-
2
Kneel beside the dog.
-
-
3
Pick up one paw. Keep the dog still by talking to it in a reassuring tone.
-
4
The quick is a blood vessel inside the nail that grows as the nail grow. The more regularly you trim the dog's nails, the further back the quick will grow and the shorter you can trim the dog's nails.
-
5
Continue to trim the nail until you see a small dark circle. This is the beginning of the quick. Do not cut past this point or you will cause the nail to bleed. This will require you to keep the dog inactive for a while.
-
6
Repeat and trim all of the nails.
-
7
Get the dog to sit or lie down again if the nails are still scratching the floor.
-
8
Fill one nail cap a third full with adhesive from the nail cap kit. The adhesive will not damage your dog's nails.
-
9
Slide the cap over the nail and hold in place for several seconds.
-
10
Repeat the process with all of the nails on the front and back feet.
-
11
Gently play with the dog for five minutes to give the adhesive time to set before allowing the dog to go on a walk or run in the yard.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Replace the trimmer blade often to ensure that you are working with a very sharp blade. The sharper the blade is, the easier it will be to cut the dog's nails.
Feed the dog a special treat for cooperating during either process and to encourage good behavior during the next nail-trimming session.
References
- Photo Credit zampa image by UBE from Fotolia.com
