Dreaded toenail clipping!

[Paige]

I hate clipping toenails but Bandit's really need to be done. Any good tutorials I can watch to see how to clip them properly? I have done it lots in the past but I always seem to snag it a little too close and his nails are black.

 

[AmberD]

Is Bandit ok with his nails being clipped?

Are is nails thick all the way through, or do they narrow to a point?

I don't know of any tutorials off hand, but I imagine they're out there. Are you looking for how to hold the paws, clippers? Some dogs I hold with their paws out, others I tuck under like a horse. It depends on what seems most comfortable for the dog. The best suggestion I can give you if the nails are black and thick is to do a little at a time. If it's white inside, you're in dead nail. As it gets darker, you're getting into live nail, so slow down or stop. If you have a dremel/grinder, you can get closer if you're comfortable. If the nails are hooked like a cat, it's safe to clip off most of the hook at once.

I really like this diagram, because some people (not necessarily you) think there's a specific place to cut, but it depends entirely on how far the vein has grown out. It can recede with regular clipping (or even better, grinding). The diagram gives you a good idea of angle, too: http://sereneshih-tzu.webs.com/dog_nails.gif

 

[LeonilCraig]

If it's his first time to have his nails clipped, sit with him a few times per day for a minute or so and tap the clippers you will use to his nails gently. Use a soft questioning tone of voice to relay to him there is no threat. Don't forget to include a favorite treat during the session and at the end.

 

[Maxy24]

Supposedly with black nails you should be able to see two rings inside the nail (if you look at the tip) after you cut. When you cut a bit off the inner ring should be white. If you keep cutting slivers off eventually the inner ring will be black or have a dot of black in it. At that point you should stop because the black indicates you are getting close to the quick.

This video shows that (I watched without volume so I don't know if she actually knows what she's talking about, but you can clearly see the color change as the does the first nail):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWOkW8wLiSk


Keep in mind the person is positioning the dog in the best way for the camera. When I cut nails it's much easier to see and more comfortable for the dog if you lift the foot up backwards, like a horse.


Personally I'm terrified of quicking Tucker and can't really see the rings on his little nails so I just take off a teensy tiny bit once a week. Are his nails nice and short? No. Are they acceptable? Yes. Maybe once he's more comfortable I'll risk getting closer to the quick, but for now I'd rather have very safe positive experiences so he doesn't go back to freaking out when I clip his nails.

 

[Paige]

I found a tutorial. Bandit's nails used to get filed down from walking on cement so much but we do it much less (softer surfaces) so he hasn't had a lot of experience with nail trims. However, he just laid in my lap with no issue while I did it. This dog is a saint. My boyfriend even went too far and he didn't even yelp. We just gave him cookies and he was cool with it. I did the rest of his nails so he wouldn't get another too short of a nail and all was good.

 

[Spot-On Grooming]

We did a video tutorial on this along with a full article explanation here: http://www.spotondoggrooming.com/how-to-trim-dog-nails