Trimming your dogs nails should be a regular part of your dog's grooming. If you choose to do it yourself, it is important to learn the proper way to trim them. This is a guide about trimming your dog's nails.
Like everything else the price to have my dogs nails cut went up too. I'm not at all comfortable cutting his black nails myself. However, Teddy, who I recently adopted doesn't mind having his paws touched. I had him groomed and now that his nails are trimmed, I can keep them up myself. At night when we're watching TV, he usually falls asleep in my lap and I use my 2 sided nail file to maintain their length.
By Keeper from Morganton, NC
To make trimming my chihuahua's nails a little more safe, I use a small Dremel tool with a sanding hub. The noise is very low. Just tap the tips. She likes this better than using the nail clippers. I was always afraid of cutting her nails to short.
By ashleybunkin from WV
I have used this method all my life with success. You need two people to comfort the dog. All animals like a "tummy rub" and will lay on their side for the nail cutting.
For animals with black nails, have a person shine a torch (flash light) under nail. When you cut this way, you can see the quick. I suggest you take a little off at a time.
By NEWFIEGIRL from Australia
Learn to clip your dogs, cats, or birds nails. Invest in a good set of clippers (around $7.00-$12.00) from your veterinarian. It will save you the cost of an office visit. Pet stores that offer grooming probably have instruction folders on the procedure, or try the internet for "how to" sites.
By Laurel
For those of us who are afraid to use the nail clippers on our pets, I've discovered that using a Dremel sanding tool is quick and easy. The noise is minimal and you can sand both sides of the nail before aiming toward the quick. It's also chargeable so there's no cord to get in the way.
My old dog is almost 18 and he doesn't mind this nearly as much as the clippers. I can always sand just a little one week and the next head for more, if I feel brave.
My dog is a large breed with very large and tough nails. This was a most unpleasant task until I discovered a Dremel Tool! I used the larger grade sanding wheel for my dogs nail size and thickness. For less noise, I used the slowest speed. It was so much faster and not nearly as painful for my pet. I also didn't need to worry about causing bleeding by cutting too close or pinching the nail with the standard clippers for dogs. I also could regulate how much nail to file down at a time - dependent on my pets patience level and mine at the time!
By Mastiffs
I have 3 dogs and it can become very expensive having their nails clipped. How can I learn to do it safely?
By Char from Edgewood, MD
By Cricketnc
07/18/2011
I got this suggestion from my vet and have used it on every dog I've had since. Use a Dremel tool. It will take a few tries for the dogs to get used to the sound and the vibrations, so start out on low, then as they get used to it go to high. It is so much easier, and so very much safer than clippers. And it leaves the nails smooth instead of splintery. Plus it's easier to judge when to quit before hitting the quick, even on dogs (like mine) who have black nails. My dogs are so used to it that they just lay down and go to sleep while I do their nails.
Does anyone have any tips on how to successfully cut your dog's toenails? I can't get my dogs to sit still when trying to cut their nails and they don't like me touching their paws.
By StellBell
By Tashi-1
05/04/2011
I had an Alaskan Malamute that at 6 months weighed over 80 pounds. As a puppy, she was spent a lot of time in the basement with concrete floor and walls. She was very active and that kept her nails short. Of course, there were gouges in the concrete block stone wall near where she played with her toys. When she started spending more time in the main living area, I knew I had to start trimming her nails. In preparation, I spent a bit of time every day just handling her paws. The first few nail trimming sessions were a struggle. I actually got on top of her, holding her body down with mine - shoulder to shoulder, knees on each side of her hips. I reached around her neck to hold her paw in one hand using the clippers in the other. I spoke softly to her as I clipped each nail. By the time she was a year old and weighed 30 pounds more than me, I was able to trim her nails without a struggle and without holding her down. I did not use the popular guillotine style nail trimmer. I found one for large dogs that looked much like the garden trimmer used to trim small tree branches. I still use that nail trimmer today on a 27 pound dog & it works great! Get a quality trimmer and take care of it. Spend some happy time getting your furry friend used to having their paws handled. Use a bright light to help finding how short to trim the nails. Good Luck!
This is a tip I got from my vet several years ago. She said to use a Dremel tool to keep my dogs' nails trimmed.
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