Trimming Dog's Nails - 7 Quick Tips To Make It Easier!, by McCann Dog Training on YouTube. 7 min 27 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 27 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a quiet, well lit spot and gather sharp clippers, styptic powder and small treats. Good light helps you see the quick inside each nail.
Spend a few days handling your dog's paws before you trim. Gently press each toe pad so the nails extend, then give a treat.
Spread peanut butter on a lick mat or spoon and let your dog lick it while you work. This keeps the head busy and the mood calm.
Hold one paw steady and press the pad to push a nail out. Cut straight across the tip, a couple of millimetres from the quick.
Take thin slices rather than one big cut. Stop when you see a pale solid centre, or a pink dot in the middle of the nail.
Trim one nail, then treat. Work through the nails one at a time and end the session if your dog pulls the paw away.
Do the front paws in one sitting and the back paws later if your dog gets restless. Reward and finish while things are still calm.
If you nick the quick, press styptic powder onto the nail and hold gentle pressure for a minute or two until the bleeding stops.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your clippers sharp, because dull blades crush and split the nail instead of cutting it cleanly.
On black nails, take very thin slivers and check the cut end after each one so you do not hit the quick.
Have styptic powder within reach before you start, not after a nail starts bleeding.
Trim every three to four weeks so the quick stays short and each session stays small.
Questions
How do I find the quick on a black nail?
Look at the cut end after each thin slice. A dark centre means keep going slowly, while a grey or pink dot means stop.
What if my dog hates having their nails trimmed?
Break it into tiny sessions of one or two nails with food and praise. A lick mat and a second person to hold the dog can help.
How often should I trim my dog's nails?
Most dogs need a trim every three to four weeks. If you hear clicking on the floor, the nails are already too long.
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.
