Help! About to clip the nails.

[beausmom1]

OK for the first time I think I just need to try clipping Beau's nails. They are way too long and I have to drive him 20 minutes to get them clipped by someone. He is great with grooming...I think I can handle it.

The only trouble is that his nails are black. I've got the special dog nail clippers, and even a file (what the heck am I going to do with that?) I've got corn starch...I think that's what you use if he bleeds, right? So should I just clip a tiny bit off? Is there any trick with these black nails or is it just hit or miss? I better get out my puppy book.

Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes.

[Joyce]

You sound very well prepared. I do Dexters, my clippers have a little guard so I just clip the tips never going further than the guard. I would rather have to do it more often, and take just a little off. Dexters nails grow fast and thankfully he is getting use to getting them cut, so better safe than sorry just a little at a time, with lots of treats. Relax I think they feel it when we are nervous. Good Luck.

[beausmom1]

Thanks for the advice! I barely even clipped anything but there was no bleeding and he sat there like a little angel, didn't even squirm once!

Yay! So glad that's overwith...I agree, I would rather clip a little bit more often than risk cutting him. :D

[Mia's Mom]

is for ragged edges, so his toe won't get caught in something. Also, so you won't get scratched so bad by his freshly cut nails. I'm lucky because Mia's nails are all white and I can see the quick. I cut them on her fist day home with me using a human toenail clipper and gently ran an emery board over each one to smooth them. She's always "bicycling" her little legs and coming in contact with my skin. I can imagine I'd get some bad scratches from rough nails. (I waited till she was almost asleep in my lap before I started the job. No struggling that way.)

Hooray for you and congratulations on a job well done! :appl:

[HotDogLover]

I clip Bailey's nails regularly. Do them every few weeks. His also grow fast. Now, it's like 2nd nature for me. But for the first time, I was very nervous. And, last time I did them... he did bleed in 2 nails. You can also dip the nail in a bar of soap to stop the bleeding. Good luck with it. Unfortunately, it will be trial/error knowing how short to go.

[HotDogLover]

Oh... also make sure you cut at the correct 45 degree angle. And don't worry about filing after cutting. You can just walk the dog 1 time on concreted and that will file them down properly.

[soph & li mom]

use a dremel tool! IT takes some work getting the dog used to it but it is much less scary. It just files the nail...so not clipping too far.

[Marion]

Well done Alissa! And well done Beau! :party6: That's great, you obviously did all the right things if he didn't squirm! :appl:

(Solo was a squirmer & a squealer from day one even though we tried to follow all the guidelines - we must have done something wrong though as she is just impossible with us when we try! We have it done at the vet now if we can, as she is good as gold for the vet tech's; and to be honest DH and I get too upset seeing her upset when we clip! Bacca has never needed a clipping as he wears his nails down on the tar on walks... :dizzy: )

[FourOrchards]

Thanks for the advice! I barely even clipped anything but there was no bleeding and he sat there like a little angel, didn't even squirm once!

Yay! So glad that's overwith...I agree, I would rather clip a little bit more often than risk cutting him. :D

Oh my gosh you are so lucky! I read so many horor stories about nail clipping. Ally is one of those! Squirms and pushes and worms her way off my lap every time I get the clippers out.
My advice is to keep doing them yourself. He'll get used to you doing them. Try doing them each week or two if you can. That pushed the quick up so you won't be apt to hit it and make him bleed. Sounds like you are doing an awesome job! :thumbup2:

[kpm_tex]

The more often you clip the nails the more the quick will retreat... try taking a little bit off each week or try the dremel.. which I am going to try on Badger...that ought to be entertaining!

[laramegan]

Thank you for all these posts -- it encouraged me to bite the bullet and go ahead and cut Cricket's nails. She is such a squealer and squirmer that I put it off, and her nails were really long! But I just decided to do it, armed with lots of treats and all the supplies you mentioned. She wasn't at all happy, and she did wiggle, but she eventually calmed down and didn't cry at all! No bleeding either....whew! Now I have to do it again in a few days so that we'll both get used to it and be braver!

[Cocoa and Me]

Where does everyone buy their dremel? :dunno:

[Bobbiesmom]

We file Bobbie's nails...it's a two-person job, but I totally recommend it versus clipping (no blood, especially on the black nails)!

[SirOliversMom]

Congratulations on your first nail cutting session!:cheer:

[HawaiiDoxieLover]

You are very brave and well-prepared! :thumbup2: That's right...just the little tips regularly and file them down after so you don't get painful scratches/snagged clothes.

[Heide]

We use the dremmel here, since hubby has cut those nails and got in the quik.
It does take a while to get them use to it (the noise) and then they are fine. I feel more comfortable doing it this way, so we wont get those quiks.
I bought ours at Lowes. Its cordless and was about 30 dollars.