How to Dremel Your Dog's Nails Part 3, including Black Nails - Technique is EVERYTHING, by The Nerdy Nail Trimmer on YouTube. 8 min 14 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 14 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Set up in a quiet spot with good light. Put a non-slip mat or towel down so your dog stands steady, and keep treats within reach.
Fit a drum sanding bit and take the plastic guard off the tool. Spin it once to check it runs smooth and the bit is tight.
Watch your dog's body language before you start. If it pulls away, tucks its tail or freezes, stop and give it a break rather than forcing it.
Hold the paw firmly but gently and turn the tool on. Touch the spinning bit to the nail tip at a slight angle, not flat against the pad.
Grind in short taps of one to two seconds, lifting off between passes. Work around the tip to shape it, then check the nail often.
On black nails, stop when you see a small pale or grey ring appear in the centre of the tip. That ring is the quick, so stop there.
Shape each nail so the tip is rounded and the nail sits just above the floor when your dog stands. Do the dewclaws too.
Pause every few nails to praise and treat. If your dog gets stressed, end the session and finish the rest another day.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the tool moving and use light pressure, since holding it in one spot builds heat that hurts the nail.
Grind a little at a time on black nails and check the tip after every pass so you do not hit the quick.
Let the tool do the work at a low speed first, and only go faster once your dog is relaxed.
Never force a scared dog, because one bad session can make nail trims hard for months.
Questions
How do I know when to stop on a black nail?
Look for a small grey or pale dot in the centre of the flat tip. Once you see it, you are close to the quick, so stop grinding.
Can I use any Dremel bit on dog nails?
Use a drum sanding bit made for nails, like a Diamagroove Boxer. Take the plastic guard off so the bit reaches the nail.
What if my dog hates the noise?
Run the tool near your dog with treats before touching a nail. Short sessions and rewards get most dogs used to the sound.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
