Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Tips & Warnings:
- Having some styptic powder handy is a good thing. If you do cut your dog's quick, the styptic powder will stop the bleeding.
- Securing a leash to your dog and tying it to something secure can help keep your dog in one place while you are trimming his nails.
- Black nails are a little more difficult to trim because it is hard to see the quick.
- Some dogs are extremely sensitive about their paws being handled. With adult dogs you may have to muzzle the dog.
Step1
When you are trimming your dog's nails you need to be careful not to cut the vein in the nail. It is better to take a little off your dog's nail than to cut too deep.
Step2
If your dog does not like you handling his paws, you can start to train your dog to accept his paws being handled. This can be done with some treats. An easy way to do this is to hold a treat close to your dog's nose as you handle his paws. You are trying to get your dog to associate the treats with handling his paws. You want to make it a positive experience.
Step3
Once your dog accepts you handling his paws, use the clippers to take just a little of the nail off. Be careful not to cut the quick.
Step4
Once you have cut your dog's nails you can use a file to wear down the sharp edges. Taking your dog for a walk also will help take off any sharp edges.
Comments
Meri said
on 4/13/2008 Thanks, Eric. I appreciate knowing which tool to use. I have always used a dremmel to keep my dog's nails short but it has to be done every other day it seems. How often should you cut the nails?
vikramyadav said
on 4/10/2008 Hi Eric,
this is an excellent article. And the video is superb. I have always wondered how this is to be done & i was actually very scared to do it to my dog, have got confidence with the ease with which you did it in the video.
Thanks.