Clipping nails HELP! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

topsy · 08-24-2009, 11:27 AM

Hi can anyone offer me some advice, on clipping nails. I have never attempted this before and have been putting it off for ages, but I really should do it now. Any advice and useful tips would be really appreciated.

Best wishes

Topsy

Buster Bailey · 08-24-2009, 01:39 PM

Start by cutting just a little bit. You don't want to cut that vein in their nail & make them afraid. Most dogs don't like this, so you just have to make sure & hold their paw still. I usually hold mine against my body (so their face is facing out) and hold their paw & cut the nail. You should be able to use a toe nail or finger nail clipper, depending on how thick the nails are. I've also recently started to use a nail file instead of cutting at times since that doesn't seem to bother them a bit. Also - make sure to do it when they are tired & hopefully you will get a little less resistance. Good luck!

topsy · 08-25-2009, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Bailey

Start by cutting just a little bit. You don't want to cut that vein in their nail & make them afraid. Most dogs don't like this, so you just have to make sure & hold their paw still. I usually hold mine against my body (so their face is facing out) and hold their paw & cut the nail. You should be able to use a toe nail or finger nail clipper, depending on how thick the nails are. I've also recently started to use a nail file instead of cutting at times since that doesn't seem to bother them a bit. Also - make sure to do it when they are tired & hopefully you will get a little less resistance. Good luck!

Thank you so much for you help. I will now feel a little more confident when I try this, maybe later today. We are off to visit the Vet this afternoon, Amy has still got her baby canines which are rock solid and her new teeth are through, so hopefully the Vet can advise.

Thanks again

Topsy

BLowry · 08-25-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topsy

Hi can anyone offer me some advice, on clipping nails. I have never attempted this before and have been putting it off for ages, but I really should do it now. Any advice and useful tips would be really appreciated.

Best wishes

Topsy

My girls HATE having their nails clipped!! As the other poster had said...do not cut too much...if you cut the quick they will bleed. If this happens you can either use quick stop, cornstarch, and I have also heard you can scrape their nail on soap. I usually do this when they are getting their bath. I put water in the sink and let their feet soak while I am washing them...this kind of softens the nails a bit. Only cut off the curve...if they let you do it keep looking at the tip of the nail if you see a little black dot (this would be the quick) don't cut anymore...if not (like with my 2) then just cut the curve off.

topsy · 08-25-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLowry

My girls HATE having their nails clipped!! As the other poster had said...do not cut too much...if you cut the quick they will bleed. If this happens you can either use quick stop, cornstarch, and I have also heard you can scrape their nail on soap. I usually do this when they are getting their bath. I put water in the sink and let their feet soak while I am washing them...this kind of softens the nails a bit. Only cut off the curve...if they let you do it keep looking at the tip of the nail if you see a little black dot (this would be the quick) don't cut anymore...if not (like with my 2) then just cut the curve off.

Thank you, you caught me just before I started. That was a very good piece of advice. I did just as you said and took only the curve. It was still white inside, and she did not yelp, so all was well. Still very much a battle, hopefully next time she will not struggle so much.

Thanks again

Topsy

BLowry · 08-25-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topsy

Thank you, you caught me just before I started. That was a very good piece of advice. I did just as you said and took only the curve. It was still white inside, and she did not yelp, so all was well. Still very much a battle, hopefully next time she will not struggle so much.

Thanks again

Topsy

Good! I'm glad it worked for you!!!! Mine are 4 yrs and 3 yrs old and it hasn't gotten any easier!!

nana911 · 08-25-2009, 08:13 PM

today and she let me watch while she used a very small dremel on them, it was quick and painless. My dh and I had clipped them before and while it was pretty easy, we did it the quick a tiny bit on one. It was just a small, one drop of blood, but enough to put me off of doing that again. My groomer actually gave me a peticure or whatever that machine is called. She said that they don't work on large breeds but for small dogs especially yorkie puppies, the nails are small enough that just a couple of swipes will keep them filed down and I'll never have to worry about clipping.

She just tucked puppy under her arm, blew in her face, kissed her a few times and talked while she quickly did each foot. Magic in moments. She said a nail file will work as well. Or maybe your dh has a small dremel. You might if you are a crafter. She charged $5. The vet was going to charge $15 for clipping....NOT.

sdnylz · 08-26-2009, 07:05 AM

I'm so afarid of cutting the nails. My boyfriends usually does it but one day he cut to much in one nail and she bled a lot we had to use the quickstop. I read you can just clip the tip everyweek and the quick of the nail will retract back little by little.

Still knowing all this I can't get myself to cut her nails.

I'm going to look in the video section on YT

Meggie · 09-09-2009, 07:15 AM

Pets At Home sell a brilliant little clipper that's perfect for cutting Yorkie nails.
I'm not sure of the make, it's ages since I bought mine, but it's like a tiny pair of scissors with a red handle, get the smallest size. It's about £5 to £7 if I remember rightly.
It's much better than using the bigger clippers that I use on my bigger dogs.

Another tip is to put a bit of old tights over their foot, so that the nails poke through. That way you can see what you are doing without the hair getting in the way.

xx
Meggie

shell820810 · 10-06-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meggie

Pets At Home sell a brilliant little clipper that's perfect for cutting Yorkie nails.
I'm not sure of the make, it's ages since I bought mine, but it's like a tiny pair of scissors with a red handle, get the smallest size. It's about £5 to £7 if I remember rightly.
It's much better than using the bigger clippers that I use on my bigger dogs.

Another tip is to put a bit of old tights over their foot, so that the nails poke through. That way you can see what you are doing without the hair getting in the way.

xx
Meggie

Meggie - which of these clippers have you, or are similar to yours?

-Pets at Home: Buy Pet Supplies from our Online UK Pet Shop

Meggie · 10-19-2009, 02:28 AM

Sorry, I haven't been around for ages so just seen your question.

They are most like the on es at £5.25, the ones like scissors. Mine have red handles but look the same.

I expect you've bought some by now!
xx
Meggie

shell820810 · 10-19-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meggie

Sorry, I haven't been around for ages so just seen your question.

They are most like the on es at £5.25, the ones like scissors. Mine have red handles but look the same.

I expect you've bought some by now!
xx
Meggie

I have bought them, but I havent been brave enough to use them yet?!

Meggie · 10-19-2009, 08:27 AM

Oh, don't be nervous, it's really simple....honest!
When you've done it once you'll wonder why you worried.

First time best thing is just to nip a bit off the end of each nail. Then gradually take a bit more off over a couple of weeks till you get them the length you want.

Not only is this less nerve wracking for you but it's less likely to cause bleeding. When the nails get long the quick inside gets longer too so nibbling them back causes it to retreat back up the nail.
Don't panic if you happen to draw a little blood first time. It isn't life threatening!
A stiptick pencil, from the chemist that men use for shaving nicks, will stop the bleeding quickly But it will stop anyway.
Just be brave & do it, it's not as bad as you think.

cthalhofer · 10-19-2009, 08:37 AM

We have had abby our rescue for 4 years and she still fights it and abby being a 28 pound collie golden cross it's a little tougher LOL

dianaww · 10-25-2009, 06:04 AM

Teddy used to watch our older yorkie Levi, he had had a bad experience with a groomer, and never let us near his feet after that, not even to hold his paw.

So Teddy watched him on many occasions biting his own claws, he used to do a great job too, Teddy now does it too.

I want to cut them myself, so I will look at these small scissor ones, good idea, I only have the standard large cutters, somehow I think Teddy will run for the hills, if I even get them out of the drawer (LOL)

When he does it we say he is doing his " Paddycure " (Peducure with pads .... LOL)

08-24-2009, 11:27 AM	#1
topsy Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: england Posts: 15	Clipping nails HELP! Hi can anyone offer me some advice, on clipping nails. I have never attempted this before and have been putting it off for ages, but I really should do it now. Any advice and useful tips would be really appreciated. Best wishes Topsy

08-24-2009, 01:39 PM	#2
Buster Bailey Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest MN Posts: 167	Start by cutting just a little bit. You don't want to cut that vein in their nail & make them afraid. Most dogs don't like this, so you just have to make sure & hold their paw still. I usually hold mine against my body (so their face is facing out) and hold their paw & cut the nail. You should be able to use a toe nail or finger nail clipper, depending on how thick the nails are. I've also recently started to use a nail file instead of cutting at times since that doesn't seem to bother them a bit. Also - make sure to do it when they are tired & hopefully you will get a little less resistance. Good luck! __________________ Buster & Bailey's Mom

08-25-2009, 08:13 PM	#7
nana911 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 238	I took mine by the groomers today and she let me watch while she used a very small dremel on them, it was quick and painless. My dh and I had clipped them before and while it was pretty easy, we did it the quick a tiny bit on one. It was just a small, one drop of blood, but enough to put me off of doing that again. My groomer actually gave me a peticure or whatever that machine is called. She said that they don't work on large breeds but for small dogs especially yorkie puppies, the nails are small enough that just a couple of swipes will keep them filed down and I'll never have to worry about clipping. She just tucked puppy under her arm, blew in her face, kissed her a few times and talked while she quickly did each foot. Magic in moments. She said a nail file will work as well. Or maybe your dh has a small dremel. You might if you are a crafter. She charged $5. The vet was going to charge $15 for clipping....NOT. __________________ lorelei, wife to gerry , momma to bear ,baxter , buster , buffy, baby, and bug

08-26-2009, 07:05 AM	#8
sdnylz Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woodland Park, NJ Posts: 230	I'm so afarid of cutting the nails. My boyfriends usually does it but one day he cut to much in one nail and she bled a lot we had to use the quickstop. I read you can just clip the tip everyweek and the quick of the nail will retract back little by little. Still knowing all this I can't get myself to cut her nails. I'm going to look in the video section on YT __________________ sdnylz and Sasha

10-25-2009, 06:04 AM	#15
dianaww YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: UK Posts: 445	Teddy grooms his own nails ..... Teddy used to watch our older yorkie Levi, he had had a bad experience with a groomer, and never let us near his feet after that, not even to hold his paw. So Teddy watched him on many occasions biting his own claws, he used to do a great job too, Teddy now does it too. I want to cut them myself, so I will look at these small scissor ones, good idea, I only have the standard large cutters, somehow I think Teddy will run for the hills, if I even get them out of the drawer (LOL) When he does it we say he is doing his " Paddycure " (Peducure with pads .... LOL) __________________ Teddy Born Aug 06 Max (Mar 95 - Sept 06) Levi (Mar 97 - Aug 09)

09-09-2009, 07:15 AM	#9
Meggie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 562	Pets At Home sell a brilliant little clipper that's perfect for cutting Yorkie nails. I'm not sure of the make, it's ages since I bought mine, but it's like a tiny pair of scissors with a red handle, get the smallest size. It's about £5 to £7 if I remember rightly. It's much better than using the bigger clippers that I use on my bigger dogs. Another tip is to put a bit of old tights over their foot, so that the nails poke through. That way you can see what you are doing without the hair getting in the way. xx Meggie

10-19-2009, 02:28 AM	#11
Meggie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 562	Sorry, I haven't been around for ages so just seen your question. They are most like the on es at £5.25, the ones like scissors. Mine have red handles but look the same. I expect you've bought some by now! xx Meggie

10-19-2009, 08:27 AM	#13
Meggie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 562	Oh, don't be nervous, it's really simple....honest! When you've done it once you'll wonder why you worried. First time best thing is just to nip a bit off the end of each nail. Then gradually take a bit more off over a couple of weeks till you get them the length you want. Not only is this less nerve wracking for you but it's less likely to cause bleeding. When the nails get long the quick inside gets longer too so nibbling them back causes it to retreat back up the nail. Don't panic if you happen to draw a little blood first time. It isn't life threatening! A stiptick pencil, from the chemist that men use for shaving nicks, will stop the bleeding quickly But it will stop anyway. Just be brave & do it, it's not as bad as you think.

10-19-2009, 08:37 AM	#14
cthalhofer Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: moosejaw sk Posts: 221	We have had abby our rescue for 4 years and she still fights it and abby being a 28 pound collie golden cross it's a little tougher LOL