How To Trim Your Dog's Nails

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Pedicures aren't just for pampered pooches—your dog is descended from wolves, but her nails don't have the chance to wear down as they would in the wild. A regular clipping every three or four weeks will save her from painful ingrown nails and sore paws.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A sturdy table or counter
A towel
Dog nail clippers
Tissues
Styptic powder or cornstarch
1-inch-wide emery board
A helper
Dog treats

Step 1: Check dog's nails

Check to see if your dog's nails need clipping. You shouldn't hear her nails clicking against a hard floor when she walks. If there's clicking, it's time for a clipping.

Step 2: Position yourself

Your dog probably won't enjoy this procedure, so she's likely to require some form of restraint. Hold her in your lap, or spread a towel on a sturdy table or counter and place the dog on top. Stand on the side of the table opposite the nails you'll be trimming and lean over her, so you can hold her down with your body, if necessary.

Tip: If your dog is large or very wriggly, it may help to have a second person hold her while you do the clipping.

Step 3: Clip nail

Holding one paw gently but firmly, clip the tip of the nail. Clip from underneath, holding the clippers at a slight angle in keeping with the curve of the nail.

Step 4: Clip carefully

Be careful to avoid the blood vessels and nerves that run through a dog's nail, called the quick. If you cut into the quick, it will cause pain and bleeding.

Tip: If your dog's nail is white, you can see the pinkish quick, so it's easy to avoid. If your dog has black nails, snip a little bit at a time until, when looking at the nail in cross-section, you can see a darker dot in the middle.

Step 5: Stop bleeding

If you cut into the quick, place a tissue over the nail and apply pressure until it stops bleeding—or try dipping the nail into styptic powder or cornstarch. It's unlikely that the bleeding will continue for longer than 5 to 7 minutes, but if it does, or if the blood is spurting, call your vet.

Step 6: Trim dewclaws

Don't forget to trim the dewclaws, located slightly behind the paw on the inner part of the leg. Some breeds have more than one pair on their hind legs.

Step 7: Use emery board

If your dog still has some patience left, it's a good idea to use an emery board to lightly file the nails smooth.

Step 8: Praise your dog

Praise your dog lavishly before you let her go. That way she'll come to associate these beauty treatments with extra attention from her owner!

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Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• pet
• dog
• dogs
• nails
• trim
• groom
• howto
• howcast

[seizetheweakened]

judging from her own nails I'm surprised she didn't chew that dogs nails off with her teeth

[chanelcouturex]

Doing the back legs were a joke, I wish they had some tips. My dog hates me now, hahaha.

[kayla89286]

@Ductape1fan try dr fosters and smiths they also have a website and i think you can find them at petsmart

[Devin21708]

what i do is my dog knos stay/ play dead so i tell him to play dead and i get over him and tell him stay as hes focusing on the treat i clip two or three nails depending on how well my dog listens and after i am done with the paw i always reward him

[Ductape1fan]

Where do I buy a Helper?!

[Lieslbiesl69]

@seizetheweakened Nice.

[aglover360]

@NewbPro I think they used fake blood lol.

[NewbPro]

did she purposely cut into the quick ? Lol.

[TheMasterFerrets]

if i had a dog i would take it to a vet

[Tammylove0415]

@chanelcouturex Lmaooo saame.

[PokemonRangerAngie]

How to trim your dogs nails:

Step 1: take him/her to a salon

Step 2: Relax and wait

XD

[coldfashion]

@arcjustice that is really dangerous for your dog. he's limping because the nails are longer than the height of his foot, so he's not walking on his foot but actually on his nails! This makes the "fingers" spread out and causes a lot of pain and muscle strain in the feet. take him to a groomer and let the pros handle it!