Manicures for dogs are actually an important part of caring for a dog’s paws
Taking care of your dog’s nails.
I’m not afraid to admit that nail trimming has always been a challenge for me. I hear from a lot of clients that they struggle with it too, for fear of hurting their dog or getting it wrong. Also quite frankly, many dogs themselves are really not that keen on having their nails trimmed so they don’t make it easy for an already nervous owner.
If your dog’s nails are too long, they can experience pain and discomfort from increased pressure when on their feet. Nail neglect can lead to health risks like splayed foot, reduced traction, pain when walking, and nail injuries. So you do need a solution to keeping your dog’s nail trimmed and healthy… Exactly what that solution is can be different for different households and dogs.
The trick with nail trimming is to get practicing with your pup right from the beginning. Get them used to having their feet and toes handled and also get them used to you interacting with their nails with a nail clipper. You don’t actually have to cut nails to being with, just practice going through the motions of trimming your puppy’s nails so they accept it as part of their routine.
Many owners choose to take their dog to the groomers or vet nurse for trimming. This is a good option if you know that nail trimming is just something you cannot get your own head around. However, if your dog struggles to have their nails trimmed, even a vet nurse or groomer might not be able to complete the job. It’s best not to push it if a dog is having a hard time (see further below for training ideas if this applies to your dog).
If you walk your dog on pavement regularly, your dog’s nails may naturally file themselves down when walking. You would probably have to walk on pavement a few times a week for it to be enough, depending on how tough their nails are.
If a dog is scared or intolerant of having their nails trimmed, it’s best to slow things right down and gradually get them used to it. There are a few strategies you can try, some work better than others for different dogs…
Distraction
If you have a second person to help you, have them distract your dog with tasty treats while you trim their nails.
If you don’t have someone to help, distract your dog with a puzzle toy while you get the job done. I give Rosie a licky mat smeared with peanut butter to keep her occupied while I quickly trim all her nails. I find she is more compliant when sitting in my lap so I stick the licky mat to my fridge and sit in a chair in front of it.
I tried this strategy with Blue, and he started to guard the licky mat and peanut butter! Not one size fits all and you might need to play around with a few distraction strategies to find one that works for your dog.
Training
Train your dog to tolerate nail trims
It is entirely possible to train a dog to be comfortable having their nails trimmed. It just takes a lot of patience and commitment. I’m on this journey with Blue…
After a couple of nail/toe/foot injuries, Blue has become very sensitive to having his nails trimmed. I am working with him in training sessions to help him overcome his fear. So far I’m not actually cutting his nails… he is not ready. I’m just going through the motions of cutting nails to help him get used to it. At this level, I exchange a treat for every interaction with a nail. I keep a very close eye on his body language and reactions. If he is not coping I ease off or take a break. We MUST go at Blue’s pace if we are going to make progress.
Train your dog to file their own nails
Yes, you read that correctly! You can train your dogs to do this for themselves. The idea is to train your dog to scratch their nails on some sandpaper to file them down. As with all training, you need to put some work in first before your dog can easily do this.
I think I’ll try this with Blue. Check out this video if you are curious… https://youtu.be/tsWaXu7Q8Go?si=2K2z4FPm8MrV3-I0
Note: The guy in this video is using a clicker. If you don’t use a clicker, just say “yes” instead, every time he clicks.
Getting the right equipment for the job
There are a selection of tools available to trim your dog’s nails. Which tool to choose depends on your dog and your preference. Whichever grooming tool you try out, make sure it is of good quality and sharp. My personal preference is to trim length with scissors style nail clippers and smooth the edges with the dremel tool.
Popular choices:
- Scissors style nail clipper
- Guillotine style nail clipper
- Dremel tool or grinder
Here’s a good video that explores the pros and cons of the different tools and gives a handy tutorial on using a dremel:
Product recommendation
MILLERS FORGE NAIL CLIPPERS
I recommend this scissors style clippers that you can buy in NZ from Kiwi Canine. They are really great quality and especially good if your dog has tougher nails.
https://kiwicanine.co.nz/products/millers-forge-nail-clippers?_pos=1&_sid=67f727fcc&_ss=r
Important Considerations
WHAT IS THE RIGHT NAIL LENGTH?
When a dog is standing, the nails should not touch the ground. If you can hear your dog coming from the ‘clicking’ on hard flooring, his/her nails are too long.
THE (DREADED) QUICK
One of the scariest parts of cutting dogs’ nails is the possibility of cutting the quick, the blood vessel inside the dog’s nail. You really want to avoid accidentally cutting into the quick while trimming your dog’s nail – it can bleed a lot and will cause them pain. It is easy to see and avoid the quick when your dog has white nails. If your dog has dark nails it is less easy to see the quick so be sure to trim very thin cuttings off the end. The more often you trim your dog’s nails, the more the quick recedes. So… trim little and often.
WHAT ANGLE TO CUT THE NAIL
Aim to cut at 45 and 90 degree angles. The 45 degree cut takes length off; the 90 degree cut helps the quicks recede. You can use clippers for the 45 degree angle and nail grinder for the vertical 90 degree cut to get as close to the quick as possible to encourage it to recede.
DEW CLAWS
Dew claws are higher up on the inside of your dog’s paws. They are off the ground so never grind down on walks. Some dogs have them just on their front paws, some have them on their back paws too. It’s important to keep them trim because they are prone to injury and can grow back into a dog’s paw if not properly maintained.
Do you have any tips, tricks or hacks for smooth nail trims? Share in the comments. Ask questions if you have any…
