How do you cut a dogs nails....

[BriarfoxinWA]

What I generally do is have my dog lay down, then gently turn the paw over and look to see where exactly the quick is. (I do this before every nail I cut.) I then take a little bit of the nail off without going too close to the quick. I then check it again after I cut it, and if I can do so safely, I take a little more off. Sometimes I cut the same nail two or three times.

I've gotten my dog used to this since she was a puppy. She doesn't like it too much (she gets a nice treat at the end, though), but she trusts me because she knows I'm not going to hurt her. I expect that if I cut the quick, she's going to lose the trust, so I make sure I don't do that to her.

This is how I do mine. The best advice I got with Zelda was from the breeder regarding having her lay down in my lap. I put one leg over her hips and her head and shoulders over my other leg. It's easy to hold her down and take care of her nails with no fuss. I've been doing this since she was a little so now when she sees the nail clippers coming she just lays downs.

 

[airhead]

I dremel every 3 days(I know.I'm a freak about long Dobie nails!) My dogs' nails have NEVER clicked on the floor!LOL
I also dremel all the dogs at my daycare every other week for $10 because people are afraid to do it,they don't know how or can't be bothered. Don't use that pedi-paw thing,go get a real dremel!

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

I think the Dremel would just be like a PetiPaws on steroids.

Do you live in a big city? We only pay $5 to get our animals nails trimmed. I am NOT complaining either.

No, we pay $6 for just nails. $15 is for bath, trim, and brush out. It's just a pain trying to get him and 2 kids in the car!

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I usually wait until she's relaxed and lying down then I clip her nails. I've used the regular clipper. I used the pedipaws last night and it was slow going. I think I'd rather use the regular clippers. After I clip her nails I'll give her a treat so she knows what's coming at the end and doesn't mind me clipping.

 

[swald91]

We tried the Peti-paws and hated it. We have a big lab and his nails are really thick. The trimmer just buzzed the surface and sent the shavings into the air. It smelled like a dentist office in the house after the one nail our dog held still for. No thanks! I'd rather pay the $15.

I hadn't thought about trying the Dremel. Would you just use that similarly to having acrylic nails done? I'd just be afraid to buff too much off.

Oh, thanks for that info...I was seriously going to get it today-my dog's nails are SO long & he caught it on the stair & ripped it -it's almost off but must be still attached to skin somewhere! I feel so bad for him, but he's stubborn. Now we have to see if the darn nail will just fall off.