Keeping your dog's nails short and healthy is an important task.It keeps your furniture and floors safe from scratches.Long nails can cause pain if they grow back into the paw.If they interfere with a dog's paw movement, they can make it lame.You can check the nails for any abnormality with regular nail trimming.
Step 1: You should choose the right time.
It's important to choose a time when your dog can relax because most dogs don't like nail trims.Wait until he's relaxing before approaching him for paw-handling training.
Step 2: Allow yourself to be involved in paw handling.
Touch your dog's paws gently.If he pulls away or resists, start massaging his paw and pressing on his nails.It may take a few sessions before your dog is used to paw handling.When your dog stops reacting to paw handling, repeat this exercise a few times daily.
Step 3: If necessary, make your dog lie on his side.
If your dog has had a bad experience, he may resist nail trims.If someone accidentally cut an area of the nail with a rich blood and nerve supply, he would have experienced pain and bleeding.Older dogs may have arthritis in their toes.For dogs like this, it can be helpful to have them lie down.Have them lie on their side.It is possible to trim the nails while the dog is standing.If you're experienced with trimming nails, you should do this.
Step 4: The paws should be inspected for abnormality.
Take the time to examine their health when you are massaging their paws and nails.Bring any pain, sore or raw spots, nail breakage, swelling or infections, or odd nail color to the attention of your veterinarian before you attempt to trim the nails.Trauma, lameness, tumors, and immune diseases are the most common nail disorders in dogs.Running on rough surfaces, catching a nail on an object, or improper nail trimming can cause trauma only in one nail.Infections in the nail can be caused by trauma or health conditions.Infections of the nails can cause swelling, pain, and discharge.There are some infections that are less common than others.There are different types of tumors: lump, bumps, swellings, redness, and discharge.Immune disease can affect the nail and make it brittle.Bring these findings to the attention of your doctor as soon as possible.
Step 5: clippers made for dogs
Dog nails are cupped and human clippers are designed for a flat area.Human clippers can cause injury or pain.The guillotine or scissors are the most common types of dog nail trimmers.It's a matter of preference for the user.You don't need to thread the nail through the cutting surface as with the guillotine if you use the "scissors".
Step 6: Look for the quick.
Blood supply and nerves are rich in the quick part of the nail.It can be painful for the dog to cut into it.The nail should be trimmed back to within 2 to 4 millimeters of the quick.If your dog has white nails, you should be able to see the pink color through the nail.You won't be able to see the quick if your dog has dark nails.To avoid cutting into the nails, trim them back a little at a time.You may have a vet show you how to trim the nails.The quick will grow with the nails growing too long.The quick recede can be made back to a normal length with frequent trims.
Step 7: Make sure the dog is secured.
If the dog is used to having its paws and nails handled, just have your dog lie down.Use the elbow and arm that's holding his paw to restrain him if he gets restless.Ask a second person to help you out if you have a very wriggly dog.While you're free to focus on the trimming, have your friend hold the dog.
Step 8: Start with the back paws.
The back paws have shorter nails that are easier to trim.Start with the back paws and then move on to the front paws.Before trimming off the end of the nail, locate or approximate the quick.Carefully work your way back towards the quick and stop trimming in front of it.The dogs that have them should have their dewclaws trimmed.There are nails on the inside of a dog's leg.
Step 9: If you cut into the quick, stop the bleeding.
If you have a cut quick, your dog may cry out in pain or nip at you.Take a piece of tissue and hold it to the nail.If that doesn't stop bleeding, use a commercial stop-bleeding powder or pen.Either dip the nail into the powder or apply a large amount.Call your vet if the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes.
Step 10: Praise your dog often.
A lot of praise and a little treat is a great incentive to stand still.Give a treat after you finish working on each paw.
Step 11: If you want, you can file the nails.
When a dog's nails are freshly cut, they can be rough and abrasive.They will wear down on their own.You can file the nails to round them off if you're worried about your furniture.