Filing reduces the chances of hitting a nerve. Most pet owners accidentally clip the quick, causing bleeding and varying levels of pain depending on how deep and far up the quick the cut is made. If your dog has black or dark nails, rather than translucent, you won't be able to see the quick.
Start clipping puppies' nails within the first week of bringing your puppy home, usually from around six weeks old, then clip them every week, even if it's only a tiny amount. This would get them used to nail clipping. There will not be much to clip at the beginning, but that's OK.
Once you have trimmed each nail, file the nails with an emery board to remove sharp edges. Normal canine nails should be intact all the way into the foot, not bleeding, cracked or split. Without doubt, your puppy will wiggle, whine, even yelp when you trim its nails. Don't be alarmed by these antics.
The biggest advantage of using a nail grinder over clippers is that with clippers, if you cut off too much – either because you misjudged how much to cut, or the dog wiggled just as you squeezed the handle – you're more likely to “quick” the nail by mistake.
Many pet owners prefer the use of a motorized nail file or Dremel tool that is often less stressful for dogs, as it eliminates the pinching sensation associated with clippers. Manual filing is time-consuming, but for an extremely anxious dog, it may be a viable alternative to clippers or motorized instruments.
If your dog spends a lot of time outside on hard, rough surfaces, they will naturally have their nails 'filed down' for them by the ground. However, for the most part, you'll have to trim your dog's nails from time to time.
A dog's aversion to having their paws handled is instinctive – in the wild, a wounded paw could be the difference between life and death. Naturally, dogs feel the need to protect their paws and even the sweetest, most well-trained dogs can react negatively to a nail trim.
Yes! Trimming puppy nails is an important part of their grooming routine to keep them healthy and reduce the amount of scratching they can do. You can start clipping puppies nails as early as 6 weeks old.
Without regular nail trimming, your pet can experience pain and discomfort from increased pressure when walking, running, or playing. This can also cause mobility issues, especially in older dogs, due to a lack of traction on hard surfaces such as tile or wood flooring.
It is best to clip your puppy's nails once a week, and only when using professional nail clippers that are designed for the shape of a dog's nails (they are markedly different from human or cat nails).
While he's chewing, trim one nail. Praise your puppy. Then give him another treat and trim another nail. When one paw is done, four nails and perhaps a dewclaw (the thumb), stop for the day, praise your puppy, and play with him.
If your puppy puts their teeth on you, stop what you're doing and stay still. If they continue, turn away and cross your arms – a clear signal that your attention has been withdrawn. If this doesn't work, move away, leaving them to calm down for a moment before going back. Once your puppy is calm you can praise them.
Correct length for a dog's nails. If a dog's nails are too long, you will hear them clack when the dog walks on hard surfaces. Deciding if your dog's nails are too long is quite simple. The claws should not protrude over the pad and should not touch the ground when standing.
To protect both the owner and animal, nails/claws should be clipped regularly. Trimmed nails are a clear sign of your pet's health and hygiene. For squeamish owners, vet offices and professional groomers will perform the task, but nail trimming is a simple procedure if done correctly.
According to BeChewy, medium and long coat dogs should bathe every four to six weeks, and owners of dogs with short coats should bathe their pets somewhere between every month and every three months. Dog owners should be warned not to wash their pup's coats too much, though.
Check for dullness: Regularly inspect the blades of the clippers and the grinding head of the grinder for signs of dullness or wear. A dull blade can make it challenging to clip your dog's nails and may even cause the dog nails to be sharp after clipping.
The process of nail trimming itself likely won't hurt your dog, especially if you don't place the file directly to their nails for too long. Basically, if your dog is calm, and you make sure to trim the nail slowly, the grinder should never hurt your pup.
Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors walking on hard surfaces will have nails that are shorter and blunter than dogs who spend the majority of their days indoors and do not take long walks on hard surfaces. Dogs who don't walk or run on hard surfaces will need their nails trimmed more often.
The good news is that when you clip your dog's nail too short, you can stop the bleeding in three easy steps. The bad news is that hitting the quick is painful for your dog, nerve-wracking for you, and a bloody mess. It's an event you and your dog are likely to remember when it comes time for the next nail trim.