Nail Maintence

I have decided to help give advice more on the blog page. As lots of people keep tuning in to read it.
One thing which is not always easy is nail trimming. Everyone just assumes the dog will like it, and it will be easy. The truth is far from it. Most dogs detest having their nails trimmed. Some will allow it through gritted teeth, others scream the town down like you are murdering them. So how can. You start off on the right track in nail trimming.

Firstly never start nails with out the magic powder called Trimmex. This stems bleeding, no one wants to cut the dogs nail so it bleeds, but it happens. So you need the Trimmex powder which can be brought online at www.groomersonline.co.uk or www.hyperdrug.com and I buy mine from my local horse wholesaler or pet shops.
Next you need either a sharp pair of clippers. You should discard clippers yearly if they get blunt because they will squash the nail causing pain over cutting them.
Some prefer to use a nail Dremmel and grind the nail down.
You should only take the tips of the nails off. Do not take too much off as it will hurt the dog. Take as little as you dare, so the dog associates it with no pain, then you can get more confident by taking off alittle more next time.
Start trimming every two weeks with out fail, and the dog will gradually get more used to it.
It’s a two man job, as one person should hold the dog whilst the other takes the tips off the nails. Cut too much and it will bleed. Always have treats ready, and give a reward after each nail is cut.
If you own a dog that will bite you, get your partner to hold their nose out of the way, or purchase a muzzle for trimming nails. Their is no shame in muzzling a dog as a dog can bite. I have seen it time and time again in the grooming parlour how dogs transform into rabied dogs just to have nails trimmed. So muzzle dog for your safety. Dogs that have fear will bite. Cocker spaniels are notorious for screaming when the feet are cut, even to trim hair off. But Pugs are something in a different league. They scream like piglets and will urinate on you. Luckily mine do not, but I know so many people who go to the vets to have their dogs sedated to trim nails. All Silvestre puppies have their nails trimmed often, so they get used to this from birth. The first time nails are trimmed the eyes are not even open. By taking off the ends they get used to the feeling, but also they dont scratch mummies boobies when paddling for milk. So it starts here and I trim nails before they leave so you do not have to do it immediately.


Nail maintenance is so important because if you let the nails get long, the quick gets longer and then you will defo cut into the blood line. Keeping nails shorter makes the blood line retract slightly.
If left to get long the dog will walk on the nails and not the pads. The nails will grow into the pads causing pain, arthritis, discomfort and infection. But also some people assume the dog has joint issues when its the nails. It can cause abnormal skeleton growth too as they are compensating by walking on nails.
Do it at a time when the dog is quiet and more sleepy if the dog hates the nails being trimmed. But if you reward the dog from puppy with treats the dog will grow to accept it.
Some dogs nails are hard to see the blood line as the nail is dark. Ie pugs have black nails. If you are buying a puppy you will find in hidden pages a diagram where to trim the nails too. Also how to cut the nail back if you are trying to reduce the blood line as you need to cut the nail at an angle.
For Pugs their are dog slings which support the dogs off all fours whilst you are trimming. Supporting in this way stops the Pug from struggling. I have friends who swear how good they are.

Why do some dogs nails grow quicker than others is often a question I’m asked? The answer is the foot type, also the parents do have bearing on what the feet will be like. A tight cat foot seems to have nails which do not grow as much. A Hare like foot the nails will grow too quick. The joints are longer in hare feet. So yes it is down to genetics on foot type.

What type of injuries can occur with feet? Grass seeds working into skin, ripping nail off or cutting nail in half, ripping a pad or slicing a pad, broken toe, down to small tumours which can grow in dogs feet. Also burnt feet if walked on hot tarmac in the summer time. Your vet will advise on all injuries and how to care for them.