How to Use Guillotine Dog Nail Clippers

If your dog doesn't walk on hard surfaces often, you will likely need to trim her nails. If the nails get too long, the dog may have trouble walking. Getting your dog used to having her nails trimmed and learning to feel confident in performing the procedure at home will help to alleviate any problems long nails may cause your pet. Because dogs have thick nails, unlike cats, guillotine style nail dog nail clippers are generally used. This tool is easy to master.

Things You'll Need

Guillotine dog nail clippers
Nail styptic powder
Dog treats

Instructions

- 1
  Place your arm around your dog's body and hold your dog against your chest.
- 2
  Hold the dog's foot in your left hand, with your thumb on the top of the foot and your fingers on the pad.
- 3
  Examine the nail to find the quick. The quick is easily visible in most dogs' nails. The exception is dogs with dark-colored claws. For these dogs, you may want to just clip the tip of the nail until you can have your veterinarian or groomer point out the proper place to cut without causing the dog pain or causing the nail to bleed.
- 4
  Place the dog's nail in the guillotine of the clipper so that the blade will fall below the nail quick.
- 5
  Squeeze the handles of the clipper and cut the nail at a 45-degree angle.
- 6
  Repeat this procedure on each of the dog's nails on all paws.
- 7
  Find the dog's dew claw, located 1 to 3 inches above the feet. Some dogs have no dew claws and others have one on each leg.
- 8
  Find the quick on the dew claw.
- 9
  Place the dew claw in the guillotine so that the blade will fall below the nail quick.
- 10
  Squeeze the handles on the clipper and cut the dew claw at a 45-degree angle.
- 11
  Apply nail styptic powder if you cut the nail into the quick. The powder should stop any bleeding.
- 12
  Give the dog a treat to reward her for her good behavior.