Help on trimming nails myself

[RLC12345678]

I have recently started grooming my yorkies myself...not because I want to, but because my hubby refuses to let me pay $40+ to send my babies to the groomers Some men just don't understand, do they? But that is beside the point....

Since I am now grooming them myself, I really need to learn how to trim their nails myself. Up to this point, I've just been too chicken to do it. Because their nails are black, I just have NO idea where to trim them. And I know it hurts them SOOOO badly when their nails are cut too short, and I know they bleed and all that stuff too if cut too short. The LAST thing I want to do is hurt my little babies, so I really need some tips on how to trim their nails myself.

Any suggestions?? Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!

[Oscar's Mummy]

I feel your pain! I think trimming nails is just as traumatic for US as it is for them!! Oscar is the BIGGEST BOOB when it comes to his nails. I do all his grooming myself (I will eventually take him to a groomer, but only every once in a while - I will do 'maintenance' myself).

First, get your puppies used to you handling their paws and all of their toes, it will make the process much easier for you.

If Hootie and Hobbs are squirmy, some people recommend wrapping them in a blanket so they can't wriggle around as much. I have to have my bf hold Oscar while I cut his nails. Some people spread the nail cutting out over several days - but I'd rather get it all done at once, not drag out the process over a week, cutting one or two nails a day. I use the guilotene (sp?) style nail cutters, they have a little stopper on the one side so you can't go in TOO far. Because I'm a big scardy cat, I only cut off about 1/8" off each nail. You don't actually have to cut into the quick to hurt them - the area just outside the quick is really sensitive too and will make them squeal if you cut too close. To be on the safe side, I cut a small amount... last thing I need is to hurt him, then I'll never be able to get near him with those clippers! So - just cust a tiny amount and do it as quick as possible. Oscar seems to be worse with his front paws and I think it's because the clippers are right near his face and he can SEE what I'm doing.

If you are really concerned, take them to your vet and they'll cut them for you - around here it's aboutt 10-20 dollars. Maybe once your husband hears the SCREAM of a puppy who's nails have been trimmed a little too close, he'll have a change of heart.

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Oscar's Mummy

I feel your pain! I think trimming nails is just as traumatic for US as it is for them!! Oscar is the BIGGEST BOOB when it comes to his nails. I do all his grooming myself (I will eventually take him to a groomer, but only every once in a while - I will do 'maintenance' myself).

First, get your puppies used to you handling their paws and all of their toes, it will make the process much easier for you.

If Hootie and Hobbs are squirmy, some people recommend wrapping them in a blanket so they can't wriggle around as much. I have to have my bf hold Oscar while I cut his nails. Some people spread the nail cutting out over several days - but I'd rather get it all done at once, not drag out the process over a week, cutting one or two nails a day. I use the guilotene (sp?) style nail cutters, they have a little stopper on the one side so you can't go in TOO far. Because I'm a big scardy cat, I only cut off about 1/8" off each nail. You don't actually have to cut into the quick to hurt them - the area just outside the quick is really sensitive too and will make them squeal if you cut too close. To be on the safe side, I cut a small amount... last thing I need is to hurt him, then I'll never be able to get near him with those clippers! So - just cust a tiny amount and do it as quick as possible. Oscar seems to be worse with his front paws and I think it's because the clippers are right near his face and he can SEE what I'm doing.

If you are really concerned, take them to your vet and they'll cut them for you - around here it's aboutt 10-20 dollars. Maybe once your husband hears the SCREAM of a puppy who's nails have been trimmed a little too close, he'll have a change of heart.

Thanks SOOOO much for the advice! Have you ever hurt Oscar by cutting only a small part off the end? How often do you trim his nails? Is there a website that I can go to and see what that the clipper you have looks like??

[Tiger's Mom]

trimming their nails isn't as hard as you think. My vet always trims my babies nails whenever they go in for a vist and he has showed me. Just nip the edge at an angle and just the tip to make sure it does not bleed. And because I only take out very little I can do it as often as every other week.

The best time to do this is in the early morning when they are not quite so awake. Either that or if you give them a stick, they get preoccupied that they will not mind so much.

Walmart sells the nail clipper for less than $5 I think . . . pretty good deal

[Oscar's Mummy]

I haven't hurt him YET.... I hope I never do.. I've heard him scream and it's the stuff that nightmares are made of. Horrible sound.

I don't really have a schedule for trimming his nails... just whenever they seem to get long - I think my vet told me every 6 weeks or something, but I think since I cut so little off, I have to cut them a little more regularly than that. If you let them go for too long then the quick will grow as well, so you wont be able to cut as much off, you have to keep cutting tiny bits off and the quick will slowly retract back.

Be sure to have some styptic on hand just in case you happen to nick the quick, it'll stop the bleeding.

My apologies, I don't have the guilotene style, that's what my family used on our old dogs - I have this style (middle pair) which I guess is a scissor style:
http://www.renspets.com/mm5/merchant...y_Code=trimmer
You can kindof see in the picture the little stopper underneath...

[VickiG]

The last time I took my sheppard/mix to the groomer she came home with her nails bleeding and the next day she was sick. Was the first and last time she ever went to that groomer. I bath her myself now in the tub and she is much happier. Its a lot more work than dropping her off and picking her up, be she is worth it!!!

[MyTrixie143]

I have cut dog's nails for years now. Only once have I ever cut the quick and that was because the quick grew out to the end of the nail. With black nails the best thing to do is cut a little at a time if you are not sure how much to cut. It is harder to explain then show someone how to do it. Here is a link that tells you how to cut nails and it has great pictures and it is very detailed so you will know what you are doing and not second quessing yourself. It is a great link and if you know anyone who needs to know how to cut a dog's nails, it would be something you would want to pass on. Anyways here it is, enjoy!!!
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_nails.asp

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I have cut dog's nails for years now. Only once have I ever cut the quick and that was because the quick grew out to the end of the nail. With black nails the best thing to do is cut a little at a time if you are not sure how much to cut. It is harder to explain then show someone how to do it. Here is a link that tells you how to cut nails and it has great pictures and it is very detailed so you will know what you are doing and not second quessing yourself. It is a great link and if you know anyone who needs to know how to cut a dog's nails, it would be something you would want to pass on. Anyways here it is, enjoy!!!
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_nails.asp

Thank you SOOOO much for this link! Very informative. I am feeling more confident about cutting my doggies' nails now!

[Tiger's Mom]

I highly suggest you DO NOT get the guillotine kind. My those are really good visuals although I don't cut that much off of my babies nails. Always just the tips . . .I may do it more often but that is always better than to have them bleed when you get too much off.

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Tiger's Mom

I highly suggest you DO NOT get the guillotine kind. My those are really good visuals although I don't cut that much off of my babies nails. Always just the tips . . .I may do it more often but that is always better than to have them bleed when you get too much off.

Why shouldn't I use the guillotine kind?

[Tiger's Mom]

Well, I knew you would ask that . . .and the trainer did talk about it but of course being that I am so forgetful , now cannot remember. Anyway, there are more of the other kind on the market . . . and it has a stopper so you can only go so much which is a good thing. It is also the same one that my VET uses.

Perhaps someone might help me out and answer this question. . .

[Oscar's Mummy]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I have cut dog's nails for years now. Only once have I ever cut the quick and that was because the quick grew out to the end of the nail. With black nails the best thing to do is cut a little at a time if you are not sure how much to cut. It is harder to explain then show someone how to do it. Here is a link that tells you how to cut nails and it has great pictures and it is very detailed so you will know what you are doing and not second quessing yourself. It is a great link and if you know anyone who needs to know how to cut a dog's nails, it would be something you would want to pass on. Anyways here it is, enjoy!!!
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_nails.asp

That's a great link - explains it perfectly and the visuals are excellent. Keep in mind the nails they are showing are those of much bigger dogs - I would never cut that much off of Oscar's nails at one time.

I think the scissor style might just be easier than the guilotene style.. not sure though...

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I have cut dog's nails for years now. Only once have I ever cut the quick and that was because the quick grew out to the end of the nail. With black nails the best thing to do is cut a little at a time if you are not sure how much to cut. It is harder to explain then show someone how to do it. Here is a link that tells you how to cut nails and it has great pictures and it is very detailed so you will know what you are doing and not second quessing yourself. It is a great link and if you know anyone who needs to know how to cut a dog's nails, it would be something you would want to pass on. Anyways here it is, enjoy!!!
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_nails.asp

That is a great website, but shows WAY too much to cut. I barely snip Sissy's and caused her to bleed on 3 toes last time!!! I like the scissor kind because I think they offer more control. I use a pair made for a cat since Sissy is small.

My husband holds her while I cut and the squirming and screaming is horrible!!! We both feel like we are causing her tremendous pain - when in reality we are not - she just doesn't like it. It cost $12 for the goomer to trim her nails here, but I'm sure it isn't any more pleasant for her there. And, I don't want her to fear riding in the car or going to the Vet's (the groomer is in that office).

Good luck - I hate the whole process. Maybe one day we'll both feel more comfortable with it. BTW, she lets me play with her feet/nails all the time.

[bren]

Originally Posted by MyTrixie143

I have cut dog's nails for years now. Only once have I ever cut the quick and that was because the quick grew out to the end of the nail. With black nails the best thing to do is cut a little at a time if you are not sure how much to cut. It is harder to explain then show someone how to do it. Here is a link that tells you how to cut nails and it has great pictures and it is very detailed so you will know what you are doing and not second quessing yourself. It is a great link and if you know anyone who needs to know how to cut a dog's nails, it would be something you would want to pass on. Anyways here it is, enjoy!!!
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_nails.asp

Great link!
I bought a grooming magazine a year ago because I wanted to attempt to trim Max's and Abbie's naild between groomings. In addition to trimming a little bit at a time (in dogs w/dark nails) they said that you can shine a flashlight behind the nail to get an idea of where the quick is (but I still had a difficulty time seeing the quick). They also said that if you look on the underside of the nail you'll see a groove running from near the tip of the nail up toward the paw; the quick ends near the end of the groove--if you don't cut past the groove, you probably won't cut into the quick. I used that groove as a guide and only cut into the quick once on Abbie (it was the first time I attempted to trim her nails, too ) I use the scissor clippers--they seem easier than the guillotine style.

[Carolina girl]

Most groomers use a drimmel tool. Instead of cutting the nail you just file it down. Much easier and less stress for me. You can find these at walmart or any home improvement store.