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Most dog owners dread the thought of clipping their dog’s nails. However, by learning the simple steps involved in nail clipping, you can save unnecessary wear and tear on your dog’s feet, as well as money with the groomer or vet.
WHY SHOULD YOU CLIP A DOG'S NAILS?
Clipping your dog’s nails is important because nails that are too long change the way your dog walks. When your dog steps differently to accommodate a nail that is too long, it causes unnecessary wear and tear to various parts of the foot. A dog that is not walking properly also can suffer from muscle soreness and joint stiffness. Nails that are too long can also catch on various types of flooring indoors and are more prone cause injury to your dog’s foot when playing outside. The longer a nail grows, the more it will curl. A nail left seriously neglected can grow completely around to make a circle.
Clipping a dog’s dew claw is equally important. Although this nail does not touch the ground, you still need to clip it. A dew claw left untrimmed is especially sharp because it does not get worn down by walking. Long dew claws can get caught in furniture or other fabrics, and pose a special threat to human companions who might get caught by them when playing with their dog.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG CALM
It is easy to see how nail clipping can make a dog nervous. First, if he wasn’t exposed to it as a puppy, it’s something new, which has questionable acceptance among most dogs. Secondly, it’s something that often makes the owner nervous, which pets are very good at picking up on. The key is to calm both of you down so a productive nail clipping can happen.
For starters, the owner has to be calm. Chew gum while you are attacking this chore, as gum often hides the “stress scent” that humans give off as they breathe. If you are frustrated, nervous, or scared in any way, try as best as you can to hide it through your actions.
To calm your dog for the nail clipping, it is best to have all tools and treats ready so you do not have to stop in the middle to run and get something. Use a monotonous voice to offer reassurance, but do not sound angry in anyway. Using an excited voice may get your dog wound up and make the task more difficult to complete.
Consider enlisting the help of a second person to help control your dog. This person can help to calm the dog by rubbing his belly or holding a treat near his face for him to sniff and attempt to get at while you are clipping his nails.
It is important to recognize that it may take several tries before your dog is actually ready to have their nails all clipped at the same time. Do not let this frustrate you, and know that your dog’s comfort level will progress with time.
HOW TO CLIP THE NAILS
Inside each toenail, there is a blood vessel called the quick. The quick extends only partway down the nail, generally ending where the dogs nail begins to curl. If you cut into the quick, the nail will bleed. If you stay ahead of the quick, your dog will not bleed or feel any pain while you are trimming his nails. In dogs with white/clear nails, you can see the quick (the pink part extending partway down the inside of the nail). If at all possible, cut white nails while sitting in the sunlight. The sunlight will help to highlight where the quick ends. However in dogs with dark or black nails, the owner must be more conservative in their clipping, as they can only guess where the quick ends.
For easier access, smaller dogs can have their nails clipped on a table. Most dogs, however, do fine being clipped on the floor. Some well trained dogs can have their nails clipped while standing, but most dogs (especially those who are just being introduced to it) end up lying on their side or back on the floor.
To clip the dog’s nails, hold their paw in one hand and the clipper in the other. Make sure you have a firm hold on the dog’s foot so they cannot pull away. If your dog tends to move around a lot, you may want to enlist the help of a second person for the first few trimmings. Trying to clip a nail while a dog is moves or pulls away usually results in an unsuccessful and sometimes painful cut.
Gently push on the pad of the toe to extend the nail outwards and make it easier to locate the quick. Make a swift and sure cut at a 90 degree angle slightly ahead of where the quick ends. Feel free to offer your dog small treats after each nail or each foot as a reward for their cooperation.
If your dog’s nails are very long and you can see the quick extends almost to the tip of their nail, begin by clipping a very tiny bit of each nail off. Wait a week, and then repeat the process again. By clipping just the very end of the nail, the quick will gradually inch backwards into the nail and give you the opportunity to clip more off the next week. Eventually the quick will sit in the proper space and you will be able to clip nails normally.
If you cut too far and hit the quick, simply dip your dog’s nail in styptic powder. This will stop the bleeding and help it to heal. Your dog might yelp or whine, but it is not a serious injury. It may cause a setback in their comfort level with nail clipping, but it can be overcome.
Eventually, the chore of nail clipping will become a normal part of your ownership responsibilities. With time and practice, both you and your dog will find a comfort level with nail clipping, knowing it will benefit both your dog’s feet and your pocketbook!
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