How to Trim Your Dog's Nails
If you have never clipped a dog's nails before, you should ask a veterinarian or groomer to demonstrate how to do it.
First, make sure your nail clippers are sharp (Dull, old nail clipping blades should be replaced before nail trimming as they are more prone to crush the nail).
Second, if your dog wont happily sit while you trim their claws it may require some form of restraint. Stand on the side of the table opposite to the nails you are trimming. Keep your arms and upper body over the dog and keep your left forearm over the neck to keep the dog from lifting its head. Hold the paw in your left hand and hold the trimmer in your right hand. If the dog tries to stand, lean your upper body over its shoulders to prevent it from rising.
There are several styles of nail trimmers, including a guillotine type and a scissors type.
The scissors-type is used to trim a toenail that is so long that it is curling in a circle. The scissors-type cutter is placed at a right angle to the toenail.
The guillotine type is the easiest to use in dogs. Hold the trimmer in your dominant hand. Close your hand around the clipper to squeeze the handle which will move the cutting blade. The guillotine type trimmers have stationary ring through which the nail is placed, and a cutting blade that moves up to slice off the nail when the handles of the trimmer are squeezed. Cut the toenail to within approximately 2 millimeters of the quick. If you cut into the quick, the toenail will bleed and the dog will experience pain.
The Below Video Will Show You How To Trim Your Dog's Nails Safely
First, make sure your nail clippers are sharp (Dull, old nail clipping blades should be replaced before nail trimming as they are more prone to crush the nail).
Second, if your dog wont happily sit while you trim their claws it may require some form of restraint. Stand on the side of the table opposite to the nails you are trimming. Keep your arms and upper body over the dog and keep your left forearm over the neck to keep the dog from lifting its head. Hold the paw in your left hand and hold the trimmer in your right hand. If the dog tries to stand, lean your upper body over its shoulders to prevent it from rising.
There are several styles of nail trimmers, including a guillotine type and a scissors type.
The scissors-type is used to trim a toenail that is so long that it is curling in a circle. The scissors-type cutter is placed at a right angle to the toenail.
The guillotine type is the easiest to use in dogs. Hold the trimmer in your dominant hand. Close your hand around the clipper to squeeze the handle which will move the cutting blade. The guillotine type trimmers have stationary ring through which the nail is placed, and a cutting blade that moves up to slice off the nail when the handles of the trimmer are squeezed. Cut the toenail to within approximately 2 millimeters of the quick. If you cut into the quick, the toenail will bleed and the dog will experience pain.
The Below Video Will Show You How To Trim Your Dog's Nails Safely
Dog Fear when Trimming Nails
If your dog is afraid and thrashes around wildly, it can increase the risk of cutting the sensitive tissue within the nail. To prevent any fear, socialize puppies to all types of handling, such as holding the puppy's paws often to make it used to the feeling of having it's paws touched. To prevent fearful behavior, try to make positive experiences during this socialization period. Puppies will proceed through the training very quickly. Be patient with your dog, and use rtreats when you hold its paws and again when it sees the nail trimmer. By using treats it will make the experience a more pleasurable one.