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.
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
Giving your dog a bath is important, but not as... Read More
Gone are the days of boring bird cages. Today's bird... Read More
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More
There are many places to find Westie merchandise, but before... Read More
One of the cutest looking dogs around is the Lhasa... Read More
Why use a crate:When used properly and not abused, crates... Read More
If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More
Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More
If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know... Read More
Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More
I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
I get a lot of horse training questions about stopping... Read More
Is there anything more cute and cuddly than tiny little... Read More
How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More
If your cat has recently decided not to use the... Read More
Have you ever thought about what you need to do... Read More
Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became... Read More
Buying a purebred dog is not something that should be... Read More
Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for... Read More
tidy up service Arlington Heights ..Clone a Cat, Go To Jail ...or at least... Read More
Showing off your dog in front of friends and family... Read More
For the first 8,000 years of their relationship with humans,... Read More
What's the best food for your Goldfish?Goldfish need food that... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More
All dogs bark, it's their way to communicate a message.... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
Understanding where horses come from has been a long road... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
Why paint your cat? After all cats are beautiful creatures... Read More
All puppies are small dogs ? some, however, won't be... Read More
Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More
Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best... Read More
Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The... Read More
Good filtration is the prime priority in the discus tank.... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to... Read More
Now that my services have expanded into the "matchmaking" business,... Read More
You might think the most important bit of dog health... Read More
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not cheap. On average you... Read More
Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More
You've made up your mind, it's the American Pit Bull... Read More
If you're like me, then you don't really have the... Read More
Pet |