It can be daunting for a pet owner to clip their dog’s nails for the first time. But once you’ve mastered the steps, you and your dog will become accustomed to the routine and it should get easier each time. Some dogs need their nails clipped every one to two weeks, while others only need it done every three to four weeks.
[subheading] 1. Get your equipment ready
Before you call your pup over, get all the equipment ready. You will need:
- Nail clippers
- Small treats
- Cotton pads or tissues
- Styptic powder or something similar to stop bleeding
2. Working space
Choose an area that is comfortable for you and your dog, with adequate lighting, so that you can clearly see what you’re doing. If necessary, ask someone to help you by lightly restraining your dog or distracting him with treats. If your dog is a small breed, you might want to place him on a table. Ensure that you use a non-slip surface for your dog.
3. Let’s start
Make sure that your dog is comfortable. Take a paw and lightly squeeze it, so that the nails can be clearly seen. Start by clipping one at a time. If your dog gets too uncomfortable, it is fine to give him a small treat after clipping each nail.
Make sure that you don’t clip into the quick, as this can cause bleeding and is painful. It is advisable that you establish beforehand where the quick of your dog’s nail is. It’s quite easy to see the quick in lighter nails, but much more difficult to spot it in black nails. The best way to trim a dog’s nails is to trim them in sections, rather than clipping off one big chunk.
4. How to cut
Clip the nails off bit by bit. Some professionals believe that you should position the clippers on either side of the nail (therefore cutting it from side to side), while others prefer to position the clippers above and below the nail (to cut it from top to bottom). If you are in doubt, speak to your groomer or vet to find out which way will be the best for your dog.
The clippers’ sound and the sensation of the clipping may cause your pup minor discomfort, so distract him with small treats. You’ll need to be patient and take your time.
As you trim off slivers, look out for the area that starts to change to pink or red, as this is where the quick starts. With black nails, watch out for a small circle at the tip of the nail – don’t go further than this circle, as you might cut into the quick.
5. Double-check
Every now and then, let your dog stand on all four paws, so that you can check the length of his nails. Ideally, the nails shouldn’t touch the floor. Carefully take off a little bit more of the nails if necessary. Then, praise your dog for a job well done.
