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How To Trim Your Dog's Nails At Home

Apr 30, 2020

It's easy to tell when your dog's nails have gotten too long and need to be cut. Are you getting scratched every time they jump up on your lap? Can you hear their nails clacking on your wooden floors from the other end of the house? Well-groomed nails are important for a dog's health and hygiene. It can seem inconvenient and expensive, however, to set up an appointment with the pet groomer every time they need a trim, especially if your pooch's nails grow quickly. This pet care procedure is actually quite simple if done correctly, and something most dog owners can learn to manage themselves with a little practice. Follow these tips from the dog grooming experts at The K-9 Center and you'll be your pet's preferred manicurist in no time!

Comfort is Key for Dog Nail Trimming

Having their nails cut can be scary and stressful for some dogs. If you go into the task feeling nervous yourself, your pet will pick up on that and their anxiety will grow even worse. Therefore, it's essential that you feel confident in your grooming abilities and that you make your client feel at ease.

It's ideal to start exposing pets to this process while they're young. That way, puppies, even though they've never experienced something like this and may not react well the first time, will have time to grow accustomed to it early in their development. Obviously, not all pet owners are in a position to take advantage of this advice. If your dog has already developed an aversion to having their nails trimmed, there are still tricks you can use to help get them comfortable. A go-to move is to let your pooch lick a spoon full of peanut butter while you work. This will help occupy their attention away from what's happening with their paws.

Before we get to the actual trimming, however, you'll want to take steps to familiarize your dog with what they are about to experience. Begin with frequently touching and holding their paws, and let them smell the nail clippers you will be using. After a few days of this, you can touch the clipper to each paw and get them used to the sound it makes. Then move on to attempting to actually cut a nail. Choose just one nail on one paw at first, and trim off only the smallest amount of the tip. Each day you can progress to two nails, then three, and so on until they are all trimmed. Be sure to reward your dog with a treat and praise after each of these steps.

The Best Tools for Dog Grooming

The equipment you use for dog nail trimming can make a big difference as well. Clippers, trimmers, scissors, and grinders will all function and impact your dog differently. If you want to best ensure your pet's safety, consider a dog-friendly product like the ones made by ConairPRO. Ultimately, use whatever equipment works best for you and your pet. The last thing you want to do is cut a nail too short so that it bleeds. This will cause a major setback on your journey to making your dog comfortable with nail trimming. We recommend keeping some clotting powder on hand just in case this ever does happen, and baking flour can be used in a pinch.

If you have any additional questions, or if even after trying to learn the art of dog nail trimming yourself you still prefer to leave it to the professionals, give The K-9 Center a call. Our dog grooming services are available for pets throughout Bayport, Bohemia, Lake Grove, Ronkonkoma, and all of Suffolk County, NY!

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