Ugh... Nail clipping?

Question

It's very difficult to clip my dog's nails... First of all, the quicks are very long, so there's not much to cut. And I don't want to try cutting the nail right up next to the quick b/c these nail clippers suck... They're basically just breaking the nail, not cutting it... I'm terrified of cutting the quick b/c I know if I do, my dog will scream so loudly, it'd give me a heart attack! xP I've cut them maybe 3 or 4 times before, and he's about 7 months old now. I just got done reading about nail clipping. I've read that if you clip the nail right up next to the quick, it will eventually recede and make it shorter, if you clip the nails every few days... But I can't clip it right up next to it. I've also read a big article and 'how to do' thing about dremiles (sp?). But it looked way too complicated, not to mention, I probably couldn't afford one. And the vet here is no professional. He just clips off the edges. And I don't know of any dog groomers... Hmm... Maybe PetSmart. ^_^

This is exactly what my nail clippers look like...

http://www.furlongspetsupply.com/images/pet%20nail%20Clipper.jpg

And this is Louisiana, so there's like.... NOTHING around here... -_- I hate LA...

Answer 1

Get the emery boards that are for use on acrylic nails.. I get mine 4 for $1 at the dollar store..They are coarser and broader than the regular emery board..Anyway, just file as you are sitting relaxing with the dog..they don't seem to mind, and after a few days of doing it for just a few minutes, they will be short enough..

Answer 2

The scissor type clippers work best. The quicks will eventually recede with repeated clipping but it does take a while. If you have a large dog, most of the time the nails will stay short if they walk on hard surfaces like the sidewalk or patio often. If you decide to get a dremmel be very carefull since it is easy to get carried away and get the quick. Petsmart charges $8 for nail trims. When clipping the nails you should get close to the quick but you don't need to get right next to it.

Answer 3

I'd suggest getting yourself new clippers - those are really not very good. I don't know how big your dog is, but especially for dogs with tougher nails, those don't work. Get clippers that sort of look like scissors. What you need to do is just clip the tips of the nails and if you do it every week, yes the quick will recede - it just takes some time, so be patient. I don't like clipping nails myself but it's something that has to be done. Good for you for sticking with it!

Answer 4

yes FOR SURE get clippers like Tammy O has this is the same kind as I have & they work much better than the ones you have now, just make sure they are sharp...you can pick these up & any pet store, wal mart, or even k mart....you could also go to Pet Smart, PetCo or anyplace like that I know for a fact that at PetCo it costs $8 to hv nails clipped.....my pug too has very long quicks & I know how much it sucks to clip their nails! I HATE clipping her quick...it is true though that if you remember to clip em every couple days just nip the ends at the end of the quicks over time they will recede..>GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 5

The type of nail clippers that I use look like this....
http://www.amazon.com/Resco-Nail-Trimmer-/dp/B0002ZADZ0/sr=1-18/qid=1156664032/ref=sr_1_18/002-6093760-9940026?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden

I find they work really well, as long as they're kept sharp, and are easier to use because you can put them right to the edge of the quick. (they were about $10 at my local pet store) The more you practice in clipping your dog's nails the better you will get at it, but don't stress out about the dog's nails being really short all the time - as long as the dog is comfortable and the nails aren't getting in its way or cracking, relax.

Answer 6

I use a dremel on my dogs nails. It's grinds them down so they are not sharp like they are usually after cutting them. Just be sure to put the dremel on and then take it off over and over again. You don't want to just stick it on and let it grind and grind because it can heat up. I have been doing my dogs nails with a dremel for years now and it works great.

Answer 7

Yeah if you have a Pet Smart near you, I'd just let them do it. That's where I take my dogs for grooming and they'd always do their nails at the same time.

Answer 8

so you hate clipping your dog, and he doenst seem like it much better than you, so the best thing to do is to get some really fine sand paper, and put it wherever he scratches... like on the door, walls, floors wherever, he will wear down his nails really quickly.... and reward him heaps for scratching on the paper... treats and praise!

Answer 9

the next time you go on hol in the us bring your dog along..lol