Nails soften if soaked in water. Try trimming nails after bathtime or let your dog stand in a few inches of water in the bathtub for about 15 minutes.
Prepare The Paws
If you're trimming your dog's nails after a bath, do it while their paws are wet. Wet nails are softer and easier to trim than dry nails and if you didn't trim your dog's hair, you can easily move it. Also, make sure to check for any cracked nails before you start trimming.
Trimming the nails after a bath is the best time, as the toenails will be softened. This makes for an easier clipping and they will be less likely to splinter or crack. Giving your dog a bath first can also help to relax him so he is less likely to fuss while getting his nails trimmed.
Don't cut nails too short.
Dogs' nails contain a blood vessel called the “quick.” Cutting into the quick can result in a great deal of bleeding and pain. If you're not sure where the quick is, just cut off the tips of the nails, and do it more frequently. If your dog's toenails get “hooks” on them, just trim them off.
Dogs need their nails clipped on a regular basis, approximately every 3-4 weeks; however, it is common for owners to wait too long in between trimmings which can lead to a number of health issues for the animal. For cats, a routine claw trimming every 10-14 days will keep your pet healthy.
Dog nails are soft when they are wet. So a good time to trim your dog's nails is after a bath. This also dampens the clipping sound of nail clippers that freaks some dogs out.
Taking your dog for regular walks, including on hard surfaces such as pavements, will help to shorten their claws, but may not be enough to keep them as short as they should be.
If you're using nail clippers, there will always be some degree of pain that comes with nail trimming. A dremel, on the other hand, can be used to safely and comfortably trim your dog's nails without causing pain.
The cutting blade should be closest to you, not the dog. Be sure not to cut too short, as the nail will bleed. Nails should be cut from underneath at a 45-degree angle.
Nails cannot be allowed to grow without being trimmed or naturally worn down so if they are long enough, your veterinarian will need to inject a sedative into your dog in order to safely trim the nails. Physical restraint should not be performed if a dog is struggling and trying to bite.
In the wild, wolves and coyotes keep their nails short through digging and running after prey for hours. Since your dog is likely not running around in the wilderness all day, you may need to walk them on concrete to help keep their nails at a reasonable length.
It is therefore important to keep your dog's claws well trimmed at the correct length. If they get too long it can put pain and pressure on the toes and paws, which will ultimately put strain on the legs. Long claws are also prone to splitting and infection.
With your furry friend standing in front of you with their front legs under their shoulders, check their nails. Are they touching the ground? If so, then they're too long. And if you hear your dog's nails clicking or see them turn sideways, it's time for a trim.
First, gently hold your dog's paw in your hand. While looking down at your dog's semi-transparent nails, locate the pink region in the center of each nail. This pink area showing through the outside of the nail is the quick. It's that simple!
As you get closer to the quick, the center of the nail will appear black, and may eventually look pink right before the quick. The trick is to trim a very short bit of nail at a time and stop as soon as the cut surface shows a black center. If you get to the pink, definitely stop!
Technique. To trim your dog's nails, hold your dog's toe firmly but gently. While calmly praising your dog and/or offering a treat, hold your clippers so that they will cut the nail from top to bottom, not side to side.
One of the most common foot issues in domestic dogs is long toenails. Ideally, the nails should not touch the ground when standing on a firm level surface, but are long enough to provide traction when climbing a hill or digging.