When Should I Start Clipping My Puppy's Nails

Trimming your dog's nails tin be an feet inducing task for both you and your domestic dog. But knowing just the right identify to prune their nails to forestall injury doesn't take to be a guessing game. The Detroit domestic dog groomers at Canine to V have compiled the perfect at-domicile guide to trimming your dog'south nails that'll walk you through every stride of the way.

What to use?
Not all nail trimmers are created equal, and purchasing the proper style and size for your dog will assistance gear up you up for success.

For small dogs or tiny puppies, yous'll demand scissor fashion clippers.

Formedium&big dogs, you'll need large nail clippers.

You'll also want to be prepared with styptic pulverisation in the event a nail starts to drain.

When to trim?
A adept rule of thumb is to trim your domestic dog'due south nails one time they start touching the ground. Much like human nails, a canis familiaris's nails will keep to abound and grow until they curl outward, or worse – inward. Long nails can be uncomfortable for your dog to walk on, they take away your pup'southward traction making it easier for slips and falls, they're more susceptible to breaking or vehement off completely, and they tin can abound into your dog'southward paw pads causing pain and infection. If you hear your dog'southward nails clacking on the ground, information technology may be time for a blast trim!

Where to trim?
Arguably the most of import question – WHERE? Almost dog owners know that inside of a dog'south boom is a vein called the quick. This vein is the source of blood and all of your feet. If y'all're lucky, and yes – when it comes to dog nails, y'all can really get lucky – your dog will accept white or clear nails that make information technology possible to come across the quick from the outside.

The quick is where the pink function of the smash begins – trim simply below this line.

But for many of united states, our dogs either have one or more than nails that are all blackness, making it impossible to see where the quick is from the outside of the nail. In this instance, the best method is to trim little by little, which we'll cover in the adjacent section.

How to trim?
So nosotros know what to use, when to utilise it, and kind of where to cut it, now – what is the best technique? If this is the starting time fourth dimension you're trimming your dog'due south nails, or you lot already know they're are a fleck nervous when it comes to a pawdicure, you'll want to incorporate some positive reinforcement grooming start before diving in. Hither is a video that shows how to desensitize your canis familiaris to the thought of nail trimming and create a positive feel for them.

"If your dog has nails that are naturally very dry and crack or flake often, it's best to prune the nails after a bath when they are all the same moistened, this can assistance prevent farther cracking" – Detroit Dog Groomer, Brittany

If you accept a minor dog or tiny puppy, the easiest manner to cut will be in your arms with smash scissors. This video below shows how to use nail pair of scissors on a calm and collected canis familiaris.

"When clipping, always start slow and piece of work your way up. A lot of the fourth dimension you lot tin judge how much to take off by the neighboring nail you lot take already trimmed. Sometimes, back nails need less off than front end nails because of how dogs carry their weight." – Detroit Dog Groomer, Brittany

For dogs with blackness nails, trimming little by niggling is the simply way to go. This video will evidence you how to spot the quick from the inside of the nail.

Unfortunately, it is very easy for a dog to have a bad feel with nail trimming. Either they've had their nails cut too curt in the past which acquired pain and haemorrhage, or they were restrained too aggressively instilling fear into the procedure. Whatever the reason for your canis familiaris'due south fear, know that is is very common and most dog owners struggle with smash trimming at abode.

Groomer Brittany says,"The big thing to remember is that even one foot or one blast a day is a big achievement when working with a dog who doesn't like having it washed. At that place is definitely plenty of time to work on building that trust with a domestic dog in making this a positive and productive process, so don't rush and stress either of yourselves out. Effort to arroyo it equally confidently as y'all tin can considering your dog will pick up on whatever and all of the energy you lot put out at that place."

If your canis familiaris is very much opposed to having their nails trimmed, getting someone to help gently restrain your dog while talking to them, or feeding them something yummy like peanut butter, can brand a big deviation. Hither are Detroit Dog Groomers Lisa and Najee working together to trim a dog's nails.

If your domestic dog is more than than nervous with nail trims and behaves aggressively, you may need to contain cage training with them. This video beneath shows you lot how to showtime train your dog to tolerate wearing a muzzle, then how to safely restrain a fearful dog to trim their nails.

Finishing Touches
Once you've finished trimming your dog'southward nails with clippers, you can move on to using a dremel. The audio of the dremel can be scary for some dogs, so a nail file tin can be used instead if needed.

"Always make sure that the pilus is pushed back on long coated/hairy footed pups. This can exist done with pantyhose, or even a plastic bag and all yous do is poke the nails through. This is all extremely important when using the bombardment operated nail filer to prevent hair, body parts, or other objects from getting defenseless in the parts that spin." – Detroit Domestic dog Groomer, Brittany

Filing your dog'due south nails will aid you get closer to the nail'southward quick, and the closer you trim to the quick, the further this vein will recede making information technology possible for shorter nails.

If your dog's nails are long, your dog will more probable tolerate dremeling if yous clip them first, then dremel as a finishing tool. But, if your dog's nails are already brusque, or known to have long quicks, dremeling tin help maintain that shortness and help the quick recede.

In add-on to achieving a shorter blast, the dremel tin aid with shaping and rounding out the edges, making it more than pleasant for us humans when our domestic dog jumps upward or sits on our lap. Allowing your domestic dog walk or run on concrete can take a similar effect.

Aid! My dog'southward nail is haemorrhage!
If you stop up cutting into your dog'southward quick, stay at-home. You'll desire to have styptic powder on hand to dip the boom into. Dipping the individual nail into styptic powder non only coagulates the blood and stops the menstruum, information technology helps creates a clog at the bottom of the vessel which will prevent bacteria from inbound the blood vessel.

If your canis familiaris'due south nail was cut severely short and it will not stop haemorrhage, contact your vet function for further direction.

You've got this!
At Canine to Five, we believe in you and know that you tin can trim your dog'southward nails at abode! Merely if your dog has other ideas, our Detroit Training Salon offers nail trims with haircuts, baths, every bit a walk-in service, or while your dog is with us for doggy daycare or overnight dog boarding.

Recommended Products