Nail Trimming

Nail trimming is something lots of people worry about as they are frightened they may hurt their dog. As much as we do not like trimming nails it is an essential part of owning a dog. A dogs nail should never be long, because it can cause pain to the dog. Nails which curl under become the base of the dogs foot and the dog is skating on nails. Yes I have seen dogs with nails curled into their pads when I was in college years ago and it was physically sickening to think anyone could let their dogs nails get in such a bad state. However its easily done because if certain dogs dont like it being done, people stop doing it as regular. But it must be done other wise your dog could end up with pain in the pads due to over growth. Pain when walking, which can effect the joints.

It will hurt the dog if you cut too far into the blood line, this is why the dog flinches and whines. So its best not to trim so far back. Doing it more often will be better for the dog.

So how often should a dogs nails be trimmed ? Each dogs foot is designed in either two ways, their nails grow quickly and long, or they naturally stay shorter. This is not evident to you for a start. So if your dogs nails grow quickly then trim every two weeks. If they grow slowly do it monthly.

Never attempt to trim nails with out good sharp clippers, and trimmex power. Trimmex powder stems bleeding. Even if you take off a small amount of nail it can cause the nail to bleed. Put the powder on the nail and hold it on the trimmed area and it stops bleeding. Trimmex can be brought from amazon, grooming sites, your local pet shop. Good clippers can also be brought from your local pet shop.

Pugs need smaller clippers and Vizsla need the large clippers. Or you can buy dremmel nail trimmer for dogs, but please be warned if you have never used one your dog could freak. So best to start young.

Starting to trim nails when they are young is key for them accepting it. If you wait two months after picking up your puppy then do it, the dog will of forgotten. I trim puppies nails at 2 weeks of age, 4 weeks of age, 6 weeks of age and 8 weeks of age. Continue doing it two weekly for a start as it will then be easier for the dog later on.

Now Pugs are well known for hating with a passion their nails being clipped. If your pug is like this take it to the vets to be done. But it will need doing regular. So it is best to learn how to trim your pets nails.

Anyone buying a puppy off me, just ask me about how to trim dogs nails and I will show you how to do it.

Some people put Pugs in a sling on a table to steady them, because when the feet are off the ground they freeze and let you get on with it. I wish mine were that easy. Of course you cant put a Vizsla in sling ha ha.
The easiest way for us is to have two people doing it. Someone holds the dog and I trim the nails. We find this easiest.

I find it easy to trim nails when a Vizsla is standing up on four paws, and I pick up the paw like I would do a horse. The dog feels a bit more secure with feet on the ground. Where as others like to lift the dog up. Sometimes lifting a dog into the air can worry the dog more, so I personally wouldn’t dog it.

If the dog hates its nails being done, you can try trimming one per night whilst the dog is laying on the sofa. If you can not see the blood line, you can get a torch and shine through the nail. Helpful if their is two of you.

Reward your dog if he is well behaved with a treat for every nail you trim. This becomes then a treat.

Some dogs love their nails being trimmed, we have two dogs which absolutely love it, lay on their backs and give you their paws. Then we have two that hate it with passion, and the rest tolerate it.

Their is a way of cutting the nail to make the bloodline retract more. So ask me when you see me and Ill show you with a pair of clippers the angle you need to do.

The point of this post is remember to trim your dogs nails. Long nails can cause pain to the dog.