Trimming the nails is one of the most hated aspects of the grooming routine for many pet owners (and their pets, for that matter).
Two apprehension-causing moves to a handsome doggy are a bath for a dog who despises water or a tooth-brushing session for the dog who wants to bite the toothbrush, but for some reason, clipping the nails tops out as the number one operation that has the owner and dog shaking with fear.
However, it doesn’t have to be that way. The trick to making this aspect of maintenance and treatment much less difficult is to find the instrument that works for both you and your pooch.
Start slowly and figure out the best way to clip your dog’s nails to ease the tension and skip the drama of the whole affair. Why is it important to have nail care? The nails of a canine serve a purpose.
Anyone who has a furry friend who digs constantly in the same position in the yard knows that dogs have an intrinsic instinct to hunt for gold. On a hot day, they could even make a den for themselves to cool off.
They are often clawed by a dog to grip their toys or hold a tasty treat. For running up hills alongside you while out for a stroll, the nails also provide traction for your partner. You risk suffering a deep tear or broken nail if you allow your dog’s nails to get too long. If the claws are not kept at the correct length, the normal sense of balance may be offset as well.
In addition, the long nails will often curl underneath and irritate the foot surface. Clipping Dog Nails For those who want to clip, there are two styles of instruments. The guillotine clipper has a round hole with a blade that crosses through it to create a quick and accurate cut (which the nail fits into nicely).
This instrument helps your dog’s nails to be snipped at a steady and even speed, but on thick claws it does not always work well. Often, this instrument may cause the pooch to feel pressure on the nail. This is not the proper clipper for the job, if you have to use force.
For trimming nails that are thick and heavy, Scissor-type clippers may be more effective. Using them requires a steady hand, as with the guillotine instrument. You have to look out for the rapidity of the nail (the part near the top where the blood vessels are) because your dog can equate nail trimming with pain if you nick it.
It will give you optimal power by using a small scissor as opposed to a big one. Make sure they’re sharp, not that they’re dull. The advantage of using the clipping technique to trim your pup’s nails is that you can easily trim one or two claws, praise them and give them a treat for good behaviour if they are of the fearful sort, and then trim another nail or two later in the day or even the next. For the treatment, there’s nothing to set up.
Grinding Dog Nails Some owners of pets tend to use a grinding tool for dogs, such as the Dremel claw. While using a grinder involves doing the job more frequently, this method of trimming can be very successful. But, a lot of dogs are very comfortable around the unit. For your furry friend, investigating this approach can prove the same.
Speak to those who use that approach before investing in a dog nail Dremel, and ask for their opinion on the right rotary tool for dog nails. A grinding instrument can give the nail a cleaner finish than the clipper and works on thick nails well. There is less risk of hitting the fast when dealing with dogs who have black nails, so owners believe they have more control over the trimming process.
This is slower than clipping, and some dogs do not like the instrument’s vibration. An important thing to remember is that, if you are not careful, the Dremel heats up and can make the nail warm, causing pain.
For a grinding session, there is a little bit more set-up than for a clipping instrument. In an environment where your dog is comfortable, such as on a comfy mat in the heat, you may want to have the grinder charged or plugged in and mounted.
If you need to cut the fur around the nails, have scissors there as well. In the spinning attachment, grabbing long fur would leave your dog scared of the tool for life. Look out for the leg pads, too. What one would be best? The best tool to use is the one that helps your four-legged friend without stress to go through this required grooming process.
Your preferred approach depends on your dog. Are they, in general, quick to groom? Are they standing still, and are they patient? Clipping Tips The session will get simpler as you and your partner get used to a fast trim on a regular basis.
Use your fingers to detach the toes of your pet when you cut the nail Trim regularly, every two weeks for a simpler job Exercise your dog first, so that they are exhausted and happy Reward and praise after each session Grinding Tips Ask for nail Dremel tips at the dog park and never trim the nails of your dog if you are nervous because you pass on the fear to them.
- Turn the tool on several times (over days or weeks) before using the grinder when sitting next to your dog to get them used to the sound.
- Always be in charge of the grinding session; don’t let your dog decide that the job is full Cut the fur around the nails first so you don’t catch it in the grinder.
- Praise your patient dog and give a reward when finished.
- Both the scissor technique and the gr .
- If you hit the quick, always have a styptic pencil on hand to quickly stop bleeding. Give them a treat and do not make a big deal of it in this situation.
Make a habit of massaging their feet and manipulating the nails at the same time while cuddling your pet on the sofa while watching a movie, to desensitise them to touch.
