Nail trimming can be scary for your pet. Find out how you can make it a calming experience.
Nail trimming isn’t something we can ignore entirely because overly long nails can actually affect pup posture and joints. But if you’ve been on the fence about at-home trimming, let’s start with a quick anatomical overview.
The canine nail is kind of like a Klondike bar, meaning it’s composed of layers. The sturdy outer “shell” is the part we actually see. Inside this protective coating is a soft inner layer known as the quick. This layer — which contains blood vessels and nerves — begins at the base of the nail, and ends near the curve.
You have some flexibility choosing at-home trimming tools. Some people prefer clippers; others like grinders. Simply select the option that makes you and your pup feel most at ease.
Find a comfy spot with nice, bright lighting. Get your dog in a relaxed position — standing or reclining on the floor. For each individual nail:
Clipper Method
Hold the tool in your dominant hand.
Hold your pup’s paw firmly in your other hand — thumb on the foot pad, fingers atop the foot, near the nail bed.
Begin at the very tip — especially if your dog has dark nails.
Only trim about 1 to 2 mm at a time, gradually moving toward the quick.
Examine the cross-section of your dog’s nail each time you cut. When you start seeing a tan-colored oval, you’re nearing the quick … so stop cutting.Grinder Method
As with the clippers, hold the tool in your dominant hand; dog’s paw firmly in your other hand.
Gently touch the grinder to the tip of your dog’s nail and silently count to two.
Remove the grinder for a few seconds; praise your pup; repeat.
Continue until you begin seeing that tan-colored oval … then stop.
Be extremely patient, go slowly, and offer tons of praise and/or training treats. Never trim when you’re rushed. Likewise, if you start seeing canine stress signals like yawning, take a calming break. No rule says you need to do all four paws at once. So after you’ve rewarded your pup, reward yourself. Klondike bar, anyone?
It's pretty easy to just give up if your doggy becomes too scared when you trim his nails. However, these tips will really help you out so that his paws are happy!
For more information on safe nail trimming tips, be sure to check out Dogster.
