Dog Grooming: Clipping the Nails
ByIf the concept of clipping your dog’s nails is scary to you are not alone. Most folks prefer to ask their vet to try this fiddly task.
There is no reason why clipping your dogs nails should be a terrifying task in the slightest. There is no need to regard it as any different to giving your dog a bath. Ideally you must start when your dog is young to get the dog used to having his feet handled constantly.
Desensitizing your dog to having his paws handled will have some other benefits too : it’ll make it simpler for groomers or your vet to handle your dogs feet and will also mean if your dog is injured you’ll be ready to inspect his paws easier. If it is your very first time clipping a dogs nails it may be a great idea to observe somebody else do it first.
Ask your vet or the groomer if you can watch while they clip your dogs nails. You’ll need a special pair of clippers for the purpose. Human clippers of scissors could tear the nail and cause agonizing torn edges. Ensure you get the correct size and kind of clippers for your dog. You may find a nail file helpful too. You may also wish to have some special clotting powder available in case you incidentally cut the nails too short and it starts bleeding. You can find all of these products at your local pet supply store. You may wish to clip the nails in a quiet place with minimal distractions. If your dog hasn’t had his nails clipped or is especially resistant you may want to ask somebody to help. You are after all poking at your dog with a pointy object and it might be deadly ! To avoid mishaps its best to slowly desensitize your dog to having his paws handled. This part should be straightforward. Take your dogs paws and massage them a bit. It makes the process less complicated if the dogs nails are softer. You can do this by showering the dog previously, massaging some baby oil into the paws or just dipping the paw into warm water. This has the twin effect of both softening the paws and cleaning the mud out from under the nails. Inspect the nails closely and try to find the cluster of veins. This is named the ‘quick’ and cutting this could cause your dog to bleed. If your dog has dark nails this is tough. The best policy here is to trim the nails bit by bit over a longer period. The fast will retreat over a period of time. Try to chop with the right hand and hold the paw forcibly. Employ a calm calming voice while you do this.
You do not want your dog to become fearful and make the clipping tougher. Attempt to cut at ninety degree angles. If you do cut too far – don’t worry! You may use some of the powder to stop the bleeding. Just spatter the powder over the areas affected or dip the paw into the powder. There are some other home goods you may use to slow the bleeding. You may use cornflower or ordinary powder in the same way you use the styptic powder. You may press the dogs nail into some soap. If the bleeding isn’t too bad – just simply applying pressure should slow the bleeding. If you have cut your dogs nails too far and they bleed – this may make the dog frightened of the nail clipping all over again. You’ll need to desensitize your dog again.
If your dog is really scared of having his nails clipped you need to gradually get the dog used to the method and the tools. Start again by praising and treating the dog while you handle his paws.
Then get the dog used to the clippers. Step-by-step desensitization joined with positive strengthening should ease your problem. If you can’t get your dog to behave long enough for a nail clipping remember – most vets will do it for you. Don’t be scared to ask for help.
