HOW TO TRIM YOUR DOG'S NAILS
STRESS-FREE METHOD
Trimming your dog's nails is not only an essential part of your dog’s hygiene but most importantly, an act of love and care - that should be done regularly. Learn how to trim dog nails here on the Wag & Whisk blog.
YOU WILL NEED
Flashlight (for dark nails)
Treats
BEFORE YOU START
CONDITIONING YOUR DOG TO LOVE NAIL TRIMMING
If you are consistent and patient, you can have a dog who doesn’t mind nail trimming one bit in as little as one week. But, if it takes your pup a little longer to get used to it, don’t despair. Be patient, keep a gentle and positive attitude, and continue to offer praise and treats.
Tip: It helps if you frequently touch and hold your puppy’s paws right from the first day, so they won’t become sensitive to having their feet handled.
Day 1: Let your puppy sniff the nail clipper or grinder. Give a treat and praise.
Day 2: Touch the nail clipper or grinder lightly to each paw. Give a treat and praise.
Day 3: Touch the nail clipper to each paw and squeeze the clipper, so the puppy hears the sound, or turn the grinder on and let the puppy feel the vibration. Don’t actually trim a nail. Give a treat and praise.
Day 4: Touch the nail clipper or grinder to your puppy’s feet again. Give a treat and praise.
Day 5: Try trimming off just the very tiniest tip from one front paw nail. Only do one nail. Offer lots of happy praise and a treat if your puppy lets you. Even if he lets you, do only one. Repeat every day until he lets you do this and doesn’t seem to mind.
Day 6: Try trimming just the tip-off of just two nails.
Day 7: Keep working your way up, trimming additional nails each day, until you’ve got them all and your puppy doesn’t mind. Practice even when you don’t need to clip a nail. Even pretending you are clipping and going through the motions helps your pup get used to the whole process.
REMEMBER THESE 3 TIPS
The perfect cutting range ends right before the blood supply.
Front paws are more likely to get overgrown nails.
You should always cut parallel to the bottom.
HOW TO
STEP 1
Inspect your dog’s nails and define the cutting range. Be extra careful when deciding where to cut, as dog nails are supplied with blood. It’s easier to find the right range for dogs with clear or light-coloured nails. In the case of dark nails, a flashlight can help you better see the blood supply area.
STEP 2
Pick up a paw and firmly, but gently, place your thumb on the pad of a toe and your forefinger on the top of the toe on the skin above the nail. Make sure none of your dog’s fur is in the way.
Push your thumb slightly up and backwards on the pad while pushing your forefinger forward. This extends the nail.
STEP 3
Clip only the tip of the nail straight across. Do not forget about the dewclaws, located on the inner side of the paw.
STEP 4
Smooth the nails out with a grinder.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU TRIM YOUR DOG’S NAILS?
It depends, as dog nail trimming requirements are affected by many factors, such as:
Genetics
Dog breed
Feeding habits
How active your dog is and on what surfaces he usually walks
However, I would recommend trimming your dog’s nails every 2 weeks to maintain the ideal nail length. Furthermore, the more you trim their overgrown nails, the more the blood vessel will retreat into the claw. Therefore, frequent dog nail trimming is highly essential.