Does the idea of trimming your dog's nails send chills up your spine? After all, Giving poochie a bath - no problem. You might even be ok sticking a tooth brush in Lassie's mouth. But trimming doggie's nails is never going to happen!
Actually, giving your dog's nails a clipping is not nearly as difficult or freighting as it seems.
Nail trimming in dogs can be done very easily if you know how. It's always a good idea to watch someone else first (vet, groomer or friend) who is experienced in nail trimming.
Some dogs never need to have their nails trimmed. Many will naturally wear the nails down or the dried ends of the nails will simply flake away without you even knowing. But some breeds, especially Basset Hounds and Dachshunds will likely need your help in keeping the toe nails reasonably short.
There will be times when you accidentally cut a nail too short. It just happens sometimes, even with experienced groomers. The nail will bleed if you cut it too short, so just be prepared for that.
Get a good nail trimmer. Ask your vet or the clerk in the pet store which kind they recommend. Place the main part of the trimmer in the palm of your hand and the moveable part so that it is controlled by your fingers. You want to be able to see the small cutting blade that slides when you squeeze the handle.
Make sure you're not cutting from the top downward; but rather from underneath. Slide the opening over the end of the nail while staying in the whitish part of the nail. The pink area of the nail is the live part and has blood vessels throughout. Hopefully you'll be able to see where the pink part starts.
If your pooch has dark nails you won't be able to see any pink to know where the live part of the nail starts. Just do a little bit at a time with the dark nails. Check the end of the nail. The dead area usually is whitish and as you cut deeper into the end of the nail you will begin to see a dark area. That dark area is where the live part starts.
When you are ready to cut, make a smooth, quick squeeze on the handle while holding the trimmer steady. Don't try to "pop" the end of the nail off; it will fall away on its own. You can file the edges or just let the dog wear the nail smooth. Taking your dog for a walk on the sidewalk or street can help them file down.
Remember that at some point you will cut too short. When this happens, place a tiny piece of tissue paper tightly against the end of the nail and hold it for a few minutes. Better yet, have some cornstarch or flour available and put a small amount against the bleeding end of the nail, hold it there with your finger. This works right away. Or you can do nothing and the bleeding should stop in about five minutes. If it continues to bleed much more than that, give your vet a call.
Always remember, you can do this. Play with your canine's feet first to get them used to the idea. If you do it once a week, it won't seem like such a tragic event. If you can only do one paw a day, that's ok too. Relax and enjoy your dog!
Suzy Kanninno, webmistress for http://www.wdogtraining.com, is a dog trainer and groomer and operates http://www.wdogtraining.com, the premier dog training site on the internet. Check back for additional articles by Suzy.
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Puppies are a bundle of newfound joy. You've prepared the... Read More
Dogs are a fantastic edition to any family but like... Read More
Imagine being on a horse and he bolts. You pull... Read More
Are cats and children a good mix?So, you had a... Read More
If you have ever tried to take a picture of... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More
Many people consider their dog to be part of their... Read More
Presently, and throughout the 1990s a phenomena swept through the... Read More
As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More
Sadly, there are several household items which we tend to... Read More
In compiling some information on achieving a proper fit to... Read More
Dog obedience training begins with the owner. There are several... Read More
Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!If you're like... Read More
Moving is about as stressful a time as any in... Read More
Did you know that more than one million north americans... Read More
How important is a dog name? Well let's think about... Read More
You know what it's like. You see a cute curly... Read More
Author of Keep Fleas OffStill using all the chemicals you... Read More
Showing off your dog in front of friends and family... Read More
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures... Read More
Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
Did you know that dog toys are actually good for... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..The teaching and training of dog tricks while not a... Read More
Trying to decide if you should get insurance on your... Read More
Herbology, basically, is the use of herbs in the treatment... Read More
You know what it's like. You see a cute curly... Read More
Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More
No one knows your dog better than you, and as... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
Vitamins for Pets - How Essential Are They?A vitamin supplement... Read More
While your friends and family are amazed that you're raising... Read More
Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More
Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More
The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping... Read More
This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He... Read More
Whoever coined the phrase, "It's a Dog's Life" wasn't familiar... Read More
The 4th Of 6 Keys To Building A Life Long... Read More
Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation... Read More
It is very important to decide whether to keep your... Read More
Dogs and children are a perfect fit. They are what... Read More
If you're reading this I think it's safe to assume... Read More
Pet's, any kind of pet can be a welcome addition... Read More
In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping... Read More
Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More
What does doing natural preventative care mean? I thought vaccinating,... Read More
Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More
Pet |