Do I need to trim the hair between my dog's paw pads?

Question

It diesn't seem to bother my lemon beagle mix, but the hair that's grown out of the bottom of her paws is about an inch long.

Answer 1

Hi there. I am a groomer, and we *always* trim the hair between the paw pads. I use a #15 blade and have never cut a dog's toes or paw pad. What you do is, holding the clippers parallel to the pads, skim lightly over the entire surface. This removes all the excess hair. Then, with a scooping motion, take out the hair between the big pad and the smaller toe pads.

Removing this hair is important for several reasons. The aforementioned traction is one of them. Also, the hair tends to collect whatever the dog walks through and will mat up, causing the dog discomfort and, in extreme circumstances, can affect the way a dog walks. Also, paw pads are the one place a dog actually *does* sweat, so it's good to clear the hair out and give the moisture somewhere to go.

Answer 2

Yes- It keeps the hair from getting dirty and matted which causes irritation to the pads-it also lets more air cool the pads which is where dogs mainly sweat. Also if your dog walks on the road or sidewalk it will greatly help with traction, otherwise he will be sliding around. This is something you can have a groomer do or if you are very careful you can...Do NOT use scissors to do this as it is to easy to cut the dog's pads..always use clippers and skim across the paw then use a slight scooping motion to remove the hair in between the toes..Of course, if your dog has never had this done you are going to have to go very slow and be patient as it will probably frighten him at first...Just talk to him the whole time and do a tiny bit the first time then work your way up...Good luck!

Answer 3

Many people love the idea of owning a dog but one thing that they have to keep in mind often times, is that the dog needs to be trained. While the pet may look heart-breakingly cute when it's in a shelter or at the pound, picking out the dog is only the first part of the relationship between dog owner and the animal. Many people don't understand that they have to put time and effort into socializing the dog.

An unsocialized dog will intimidate others, tear up the home, and will create an environment that can become so bad that the it will have to be returned. Many times when dogs have to be returned to shelters or to other resources, it will end up euthanized, which is very heartbreaking. All of this can be spared if a person learns the various techniques in order to socialize the dog.

One thing that they have to understand is that the he wants to be told what to do. It's in the canine nature to follow a leader. The dog will be more than willing to obey the leadership of its master. Here's a look at some common techniques that are used in dog training:

"Dog Whispering"

This is a technique that has been around for a while, but gained national notoriety over the last 10 years. Some people might hear this term and wonder how in the world whispering to a dog can train it! Whispering isn't meant to be taken literally in this case. As trainers have shown, whispering is a term that refers to connecting with a being or an entity on a very deep and almost spiritual level. When it comes to dog training techniques, dog whispering involves careful observation of the dog's behavior and actions.

It literally entails getting inside the mind and the behavior system of the canine. When a person uses dog whispering techniques, they interact with the dog on the canine level. Again, one the most common mistakes that people make is treating the dog like a small human being.

"Reward Training"

Reward training is very simple and it's one of the older tricks that works. This is a simple method of training the dog by positive reinforcement. Once he does what it is told to do, it receives a treat. How this works is that the dog owner must entice the dog towards the treat. Once the canine develops awareness for the treat, it develops a strong desire for it. When the desire for it is extremely strong, the dog owner pulls back. Then the dog receives a command and when the dog obeys the command, it receives the treat. The object is to make the dog associate a treat with the command.

"Clicker Training"

Other dog training techniques include one that is similar to reward training, which is called clicker training. How this works is that the clicker is incorporated to get the dog's attention. The clicker is clicked as a form of communication with the dog. It learns that there is a command or reward associated in conjunction with the clicker. Many people claim that this is fun, and they actually make a game with the dog by using the clicker for their dog training tasks.

"Ultrasonic Whistle"

Last, a relatively new form of dog training technique is called the ultrasonic whistle. This works because the ultrasonic sound is only heard by the dog. When the owner is trying to communicate a command, or stop the dog from barking, they will blow on their whistle when they want to communicate a command to the dog. The benefit of this is that the humans can't hear this noise, but the dog can hear it, and they will learn to associate the sound with a command.

Dog training techniques aren't hard to incorporate, but they are something that absolutely must be incorporated from the time a dog owner brings their new dog home. No matter how old or how young the dog is, they will need training. Once they are trained properly, they will be a wonderful addition to one's family.

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Answer 4

Trimming Dog Hair

Answer 5

The first thing you need to know is what kind of training you and your dog need. After that locate some good trainers that will take you and your dog, not just the dog. Learn how to train your dog https://tinyurl.im/0djnH

In this special presentation you'll discover exactly why it's so important to start training your dog the right way. Important for you, important for your family, and, most of all, important for your dog! And It'll give you some great hints, tips, and advice to help you turn your dog into the best behaved, happiest, running, jumping, slipper-fetching best pal you always wanted.

These are the very same tips that I spent years perfecting, the very same tips that have worked for thousands of dog lovers just like you.

Answer 6

Yes, I think it needs to be kept trimmed because it carries germs and bacteria that's not healthy, especially if your dog licks her feet pads - it could cause an infection.
My dog's groomer certainly trims my dog's paw pads.

Answer 7

Yes, the hair between the toes need to be trimed,but not by someone that has'nt done it before.You can easily cut or razor burn your pup if you don't know what you're doing. That service is very inexpensive at a groomer's and well worth it. Moisture an d dirt or feces can stick to the hair and cause infections.

Answer 8

You might want to. Sometimes crud gets between their toes in the fur, matting up, and can cause an infection. Just trim it to the bottom of the pads, so there's a little fur for protection and make sure you clean their feet once in a while with good, old fashioned soap and water.

Answer 9

I know a few dog groomers and it is amazing to watch them with an animal! I know they do trim the hair between the pads. I'm not sure if it if looks or for function, but I know they do!

Answer 10

Yes you can trim the hair. The groomer would trim this hair to allow for better traction for the dog and also so that snow and ice or poop and stuff would not get stuck in the hair.
It makes the dogs feet easier to clean.