How to Trim a Schnauzer's Toenails

Whether you own a miniature, standard or giant schnauzer, trimming your terrier's toenails is an important part of its regular grooming regimen. Dog toenails need to be trimmed approximately every three to four weeks. Otherwise, nails can grow too long and adversely affect your pet's ability to move about comfortably. Schnauzers can also develop ingrown toenails if they are not trimmed regularly. It is especially important to trim the toenails of schnauzers who don't take a lot of walks, which would usually help naturally wear down the nails.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog nail clippers
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Instructions

  1. Using Scissor-type Nail Trimmers

    • 1

      Restrain your schnauzer. If your dog is small, place it in your lap and restrict its movements with your body. If you have a giant schnauzer, either place it on a table or have it lie on the floor and drape your body over the dog and work on the paw opposite of you, or have someone hold it while you work on its nails.

    • 2

      If possible, locate the quick, which is the soft inner part of the nail that contains its blood vessels and nerve endings. On schnauzers with light-colored nails, the quick can be seen from the side and is darker than the area without the quick. The quick will not be visible on dark nails.

    • 3

      Cut the nail approximately two mm away from the quick. Hold your scissor-type trimmers at a right angle to the nail and squeeze to cut the nail. On dark nails, make several small cuts, being careful not to get too close to where you suspect the quick may be located.

    • 4

      Trim the remaining nails in the same manner. Do not forget to trim the schnauzer's dew claws.

    • 5

      Lightly file any rough edges.

    Using Guillotine Trimmers

    • 6

      Follow Steps 1 and 2 previously mentioned.

    • 7

      Place the guillotine trimmer on the dog nail approximately two mm away from the quick with the cutting blade facing away from the dog, and the screws on the trimmer facing the dog. This is important as the cutting blade could cut too close to the quick if you place it on the nail in the wrong manner.

    • 8

      Squeeze the guillotine trimmers to cut the nail. Light-colored nails with visible quicks can be cut trimmed with one cut. Dark nails should be trimmed with several short cuts. Stop cutting before getting too close to where you suspect the quick may be located.

    • 9

      Trim the remaining claws. Do not forget to also trim the schnauzer's dew claws.

    • 10

      Lightly file any rough edges.