How to Trim Dogs Nails With Rotary Trimmer

Most dogs get very nervous when having their nails trimmed, but with a little patience you can have a relaxed dog at pedicure time with a rotary trimmer or Dremel. Not only do too-long nails look unsightly, they're prone to cracking or splitting, and can be uncomfortable for the dog to walk on. In extreme cases, nails can grow and curl under the dog's foot, causing disfigurement and pain. Using a rotary trimmer allows you to shape and smooth the nails, and eliminates the risk of cutting the quick.

Things You'll Need

  • Rotary trimmer
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start slowly when introducing your dog to a rotary trimmer. You might begin by giving the dog treats for simply sniffing the trimmer, or for staying calm while you touch it (still turned off) to its foot. Make the dog associate the sight, smell and touch of the trimmer with positive things like treats and praise.

    • 2

      Turn the trimmer on, and reward the dog if it remains calm. While the dog is relaxed, touch the trimmer to one toenail, then reward the dog and shut the trimmer off. Repeat this process several times over however many days it takes for your dog to remain relaxed without flinching at the noise or touch. It should start looking forward to the trimmer.

    • 3

      Grind the nails on one paw briefly, then reward your dog. Don't spend more than a few seconds on each nail until your dog becomes used to the process. Once your dog is comfortable with having all of it's nails briefly trimmed with a rotary trimmer, you can get to work on a very thorough job.

    • 4

      Hold the dog's paw, and grind down the tip of the nail. When a small white or gray dot starts becoming visible in the center of the nail, stop. This is the tip of the quick, which is the blood and nerve supply to the nail--if you grind down too far, it will become uncomfortable for your dog and may bleed.

    • 5

      Tilt the grinder wheel and round off the edges of the nail. Keep the grinder moving, instead of grinding too long in one place, so it doesn't overheat your dog's nail.