Comments on: How to Trim a Dog's Nails

on 4/13/2008 I have three pugs and I have a heck of a time clipping their nails- they hate it! This is a great how to with tons of tips.

on 2/24/2008 BEFORE YOU CLIP THE DOGS NAILS TURN ITS PAW OVER TO LOOK AT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE NAIL...THE PART YOU NEED TO TRIM IS HOLLOWED OUT(JUST LIKE OUR NAILS)ANY OTHER GROOMING QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO ASK...THATS WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING...PET GROOMING

on 5/28/2007 Here's an interesting tip I was given the other day. To avoid the dog's fur getting in the way if using a clipper or tangled in the dremmel drill if using one, place the dog's paw in an old nylon stocking. Let the nails poke thru and the fur will be held back and out of the way by the stocking. I have yet to try this but it sure makes sense to me.
Happy clipping!

on 4/27/2007 How I wish there is a sure way to locate the quick in black nails. I can't stand my lab's bleeding after a close cut.

on 4/27/2007 How I wish there is an easy way to locate the quick. My labrador has black nails and I have a hard time locating the quick.

on 12/14/2006 claws clipped too short - I've done this many times (unfortunately for Boris my black lab-mix who sports the all black claws). I first tried the Styptic PADS... no good (never tried the powder). After freakin' out over what looked like a massacre on my back deck and making a frantic call to the vet to make sure my poor Boris wasn't going to bleed to death.... I asked a friend who was in vet school what would work quickly and she suggested... wait for it.... SUPER GLUE! I'll be darned if that doesn't work! Of course if the nail is cut way too short and a gusher is flowing (poor poor Boris) then one must wait until the blood slows (I keep an old bath towel handy aka "puppy towel") before using the Super Glue. Try not to use too much Super Glue as it won't adhere sufficiently thus causing the glue clot AND the blood clot to fall off upon the dog walking with the unfortunate result of a blood trail. Been there done that....

on 8/15/2006 When using a Dremel tool for filing down nails, do not use a solid stone or grinding bit. It will heat up and be very uncomfortable for your pet.

Instead, use the sanding drum bit. Start with the fine grit first. If that doesn't take enough off, go to a medium grit, then to a course if needed. Try not to press hard on the nail because doing so will create heat build-up. Let the tool do the work.

To check how much heat has been generated, stop the tool. Feel the temperature of the nail and the sanding drum. If it's too hot, here's what you can do: use a drum with a courser grit, increase the tool speed, or do a little nail sanding, back the tool off the nail but let the tool run to cool off, go back to the nail.

on 4/12/2008 With black claws, clipping too much happens easily. Be prepared with styptic powder or a substitute, such as baby powder or cotton, and a towel before you start clipping.
It's frightening, especially to you, to see the amount of blood and length of time it may take to stop the flow. This is no time to run around looking for a towel. There is a pet product which is powered and antiseptic that works well.

on 8/8/2006 After having cut my dog's black nails too short and drawing blood, she became stressed every time the clippers came out (as did I). So I decided to try a file to shorten her nails instead. Now, when nail time comes, she is relaxed and I don't have to wrestle with her and worry about cutting too short!

***TIP - Make sure you grasp the individual nail very firmly to keep from transmitting any vibrations to the toe.

Use the underside corner of the nail as a reference/ending point and file the nail at a 45 degree angle to this "back corner" of the nail. Your dog will then wear the nail down parallel to the ground again, and the next time you file you can use the underside corner as the (now shorter) ending point.

Don't file too short all at one time!

Use a file specifically for acrylic nails (it has a very rough surface - perfect for tough dog nails).

Talk to your pooch and tell them how good they are while you are filing!

Don't forget the treat afterward!

on 8/8/2006 I use a dremel. It is quick and easy and doesn't put any pressure on the dog's nails or toes.

on 4/12/2008 In addition to using quality, sharp nail trimmers, I use this little trick:
Grasp the individual nail very firmly above the clipper before clipping. In other words, don't let the clipper support the nail while cutting.
Holding the nail in this manner keeps the trimmer from transmitting any vibrations/feelings to the toe. Try it, you'll be surprised.

on 3/21/2006 I have a dog with lots of hair, therefore, it is easier for me to sit in the bath tub with her and clip her nails while she is wet. This way I can part the hair so I don't risk cutting the nails too short.

on 12/8/2005 If you clip the nail too close and it starts to bleed, try dipping the nail into baking soda. It will clot the blood and stop the bleeding.

on 11/22/2005 I started trimming the nails of my puppy when he was 8 weeks old. Every week I would lay him on his back and rub his belly, legs and feet. Taking the time to play with each toe. He now allows me to clip nails with no problem. The only problem I do have is that an 8 week old Great Dane is easy to reach all feet, now that he is two years old, those hind feet are very far away. The groomer laughed when my dog laid down at the shop when she went for his toes nails. All I can say is training, training, training.

on 11/22/2005 I clip our three large dogs regularly. This is the one time they get to eat the cat's kibble without being scolded. Because the kibble is very small, the dogs get one kibble per clip. Along with praise of course. This has turned one very uncooperative patient into a cream puff.