Comments on: How to Trim a Dog's Nails

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.

on 11/22/2005 My black lab guide dog's nails are so large and thick I have to file them down with a Dremel Moto-tool. This works great, like other's said; watch out for the hair and for heat build-up. However, I've also found I have to look out for the dust! I have asthma and I'm slightly allergic to dogs, usually it doesn't bother me with my own dog. However, the nail dust is a severe trigger for my asthma and allergies, so I do it outside with a fan placed beside us to blow the dust away from us. With the fan and a little care, we've never had any problems.

on 11/22/2005 My dog hates having his nails trimmed. First, I make sure to pull his toe hair back and gently grasp each toe, avoiding any twisting of the toe or foot. I give him a treat after each nail, along with lots of praise. As we go along, each nail gets easier. That works for my 105 pound wolf hybrid!

on 11/22/2005 My dog is more cooperative if I place him on a table to trim his nails.

on 11/22/2005 When we clip our dog's nails, we give him a treat first. While he's eating, we clip his nails!

on 11/22/2005 I have 3 Basset Hounds, all of which have nails as thick as my little toe. I found it most effective and easier to trim their nails immediately following a bath. Their nails are much softer after bathing. This also helps quite the snap of the clippers, which can spook dogs. Sometimes I put them on there backs when clipping their nails. Happy Clipping!

on 11/22/2005 We put our dogs on their backs, and rub their bellies. As we clip away we are always reassuring them. This seems to work most of the time. When it doesn't, we use the reliable hubby holds the dog, wifey clips and files as fast as she can!