How to Clip Dog Nails

Clipping dogs nails can be nerve racking for both the human and the dog. If you are considering clipping your dog's nails, below are some instructions and advice you should follow to make the process easier and safer.

How to clip a dogs nails

1. Choose appropriate clippers. Don't go cheap. Cheap nail clippers can break dog's nails and make the process painful for them. They're also uncomfortable for people. Because they're cheap, you'll have to squeeze harder and can hurt your hands.

My favorite nail clippers can be found at most pet stores such as Petco and Pet Smart. They're called "Millers Forge Pet Nail Trimmers and Clippers." They're strong, easy to grip, and clip the nails nicely.

2. Even if your dog doesn't normally bite it is a good idea to purchase a muzzle to use while clipping dogs nails. Nice dogs can get extremely nervous, and if you accidentally cut the quick (the pink flesh inside the nail), the dog may bite out of anxiety and pain.

3. Have a helper. Don't try to clip a dogs nails alone, unless you know the dog will remain calm and still enough for you to clip the dog's nails yourself.

Having another person to hold the dog in place and sooth him will make the process easier and safer for you and the dog. If a dog is allowed to wiggle around while having her nails clipped, you could end up cutting into the quick, which can be very painful for the dog.

The best position to hold a large dog in while clipping their nails is on their side, with the other person kneeling next to their back, reaching over them, and holding their legs still. This will help prevent the dog from getting up, and will also keep him from kicking his legs.

For small dogs, clipping on a raised surface, such as a table will make it easier to clip the dog's nails. Have the other person hold the paws up, and pet the dog while you clip the dog's nails.

4. You can purchase a product at some pet stores called "Quick Stop." It helps to stop bleeding if you happen to cut into the quick while clipping the dog's nails. If you can't find "Quick Stop" you can also use corn starch. Make sure you have this handy before you clip dog's nails. If the quick gets cut, immediately dip the tip of the nail into the corn starch or "Quick Stop" to stop bleeding.

Some dogs have clear nails and you can see the quick, making it easy to avoid. However if the dog has dark nails, it's harder to avoid cutting the quick. To reduce the risk of doing so, never cut large chunks of the nail; instead, cut small pieces at a time. Check the tip of the nail after each cut. If you see a white fleshy part in the middle of the nail, that's the tip of the quick. Don't cut any further.

5. If the dog get's out of hand or over reacts to having their nails clipped, don't try to continue. If you try to clips dogs nails when they are absolutely determined to resist, you'll only end up hurting the dog and yourself.

When this is the situation, it's best to take dogs to a vet clinic where the staff is trained to handle these situations. Depending on how severely the dog reacts to having their nails clipped, they may have to be partially sedated.

6. If you do clip a dog's nails be sure to reassure the dog that everything is ok and praise them for doing well. Once they're done, let them have a small treat.