The Best Method of Clipping Dogs Nails

Surrounding skin and hair color determine the color of dog's claws, according to Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Just as dogs possess different-colored claws, they possess different attitudes regarding nail-trimming, so you must figure out the best way to accomplish the task without suffering extreme struggling and resistance from the canine.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat, elevated surface
  • Guillotine nail clippers
  • Nail file
  • Styptic pencil containing silver nitrate (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the dog on a flat, elevated surface, such as a table, for easier working conditions.

    • 2

      Position yourself on the side of the table opposite to the nails you will trim. Drape your left forearm over the neck of the dog when trimming the right front claws. Hold the dog's right front paw in your left hand and hold the guillotine trimmer in your right hand. Lean your upper body over the dog to prevent it from standing.

    • 3

      Look for the location of the "quick" (pink area containing vessels and blood) within a light-colored nail. Position the guillotine clippers on the end of the dog's nail, approximately 2 mm from the quick. Face the screws toward the dog and the blade toward you. Position the handles so they are upward or downward and the cutting blade is perpendicular to the nail.

    • 4

      Squeeze the handles gently to clip the nail. Move the clippers to the next nail. Move to the other side of the table to clip the nails on the opposite side of the dog's body.

    • 5

      Hold the black end of a styptic pencil, containing silver nitrate, on the end of a nail that has been cut too short. Move the pencil over the cut surface of the nail until the bleeding stops.