advise on cutting boxer dogs nails?

Question

i have an 8-week old boxer girl puppy. although i dont need to yet, id welcome any advise on trimming her nails. id prefer to do it myself rather than get the vet to do it as its less hassle and also less stressful for her. many thanks

Answer 1

I too, cut all three of my dogs toe nails myself and keep them trimmed reguarly. Its a lot less stressful for them and they trust me to handle their feet and nails, and I've never hurt them cutting them myself.

There are many ways to do it yourself, just find one that fits you and your pet the best. Its great you are starting early.

I would recomend that when you take her to the vet for shots, ask the Veterinarian, or Veterinarian Technician to show you how to trim the nails. Sometimes watching it done, and having some one explain it to you really helps.

I personally roll my dogs on their back and cradle them inbwtn my legs (streched out). I get a better view of what I cut, and they stay very calm for me. I know they don't like it, but I have 100% full controll over them incase they ever feel they need to try to wiggle or try to bite me......

Check out the links below. I recomend the Safari Claw Type nail clipper, it is easier to see what your cutting, the other, Resco Type, will move when you close the handles, if you are not holding it in the propper way, cutting more than you intended. If you have one of these nail clippers make sure you hold the imbobile part of the clipper ( not the part that pushes down) in the palm of your hand (not at your fingeres) Check it out, if you hold it the other way and close it you will see how much it moves......

Another tip, when trimming your pets nails, if you cut you pets nails and notice a flakey crumbs you can trim a little bit more, its when the cut is solid and no flakes or crumbling of your pet nail is when you need to stop, if you cut more, you will cut the quick and your pet will bleed. Just get some quick stop and it will stop the bleeding.

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/nailtrim.htm

http://lowchensaustralia.com/grooming/nailclip.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1643&articleid=818

Good luck.

Answer 2

if the nails are clear, just make sure you cut below the red/ pink. If they are black, them trim a little at a time. Basically, the idea is to cut the nail at the curve. It's hard to get the hang of, but once you do, it's easy. You can also hold a flash light up to the black nail and see the quick. Make sure you have some kind or "quick stop" on hand in case you do cut too short. The dog will probably yelp, but it really only hurts them for a few seconds, but it can bleed for a long time. If you don't have the quick-stop (found at a pet store, or walmart), then you can use backing flour, or scrape some soap off the bar. This will help the clotting. Also, you can use a nail file to flie the shapr edges, if you do this often enough, you may not need to cut the nails. Also, walking the dog on concrete will help keep them short naturally. If you have any other questions, let me know. I worked as a dog bather for years and have a lot of practice with cutting nails.

Answer 3

Start by buying some good sharp nail clippers, then find a time when she's relaxed. Clip a few nails and see how she goes. Cut them toward the end so you avoid cutting into the quick (a blood vessel with nerves that supply the nail). If you can see the quick its easier but if she has black nails its better to clip a bit of the end a do it more regularly. You could also try getting a good quality nail file and filing them down she may find that less frightening than the sound of the clip clip clip. You should get a haemostatic pencil just in case of emergencies should you nick the quick, this will stop the bleeding. Your vet would probably supply one if the petshop doesnt

Answer 4

Well she is at the age that is perfect for training them to have their nails done. What you should do is play with her toes when she is relaxed and go through the motions of clipping them without actually doing it. The more you practice having them hold still the easier it is on you. You want to make sure that there is enough to clip and not quick them. Also if you have a dremmel tool they work well with the sanding attachment. It tickles their feet a little and they may not like the noise but it gets a closer trim without quicking (but you can still quick them so be careful). If you want more info or have any other questions feel free to email me. Good luck


Oh and dont listen to the bull about they will bleed to death. Thats only for the morons who cut the nail all the way back to the dogs toe. If you do quick them you can put flour on the tip of the nail to stop the bleeding. As long as you realize that you can NOT cut the toenail all the way back to the foot then if you quick them it shouldnt be a problem

Answer 5

I was a dog groomer for 18 years.Get her used to someone touching her feet while she is young.Hold her foot like you would if you were clipping her nails.Don't hold it too long or she will feel trapped.I lay my dogs on their side when nail clipping as it is harder for them to pull away.Get nail clippers AND qwik stop at the pet store.It is not the end of the world if you cut a nail too short.The qwik stop will stop the bleeding.Cut just the tip of the nail only until you gain bravery.Groomers cut nails too short fairly often,and I have never had qwik stop not work. Oh,and one more tip-bend your dogs wrist gently and naturally when you clip because it is less likely for her too feel trapped.

Answer 6

I'd go to to your local Petco or Petsmart and have the groomers there show you how to do it. A vet can show you too. But I think a pet store would be more fun because you can shop afterwards if your puppy is good for the nail trimming lesson. :D

Answer 7

Hi Harriet,
I too have a boxer dog, male, called Gandalf, about 10 yrs, who generally wears his toe-nails down naturally by running about like a mad thing, as he does, on all sorts of surfaces.
However I give them a short clip with a pair of rounded things from the vet once a month, at £8 for ever, and he is happy.
Apart from leaping off my boat roof and not up to full paddle power !
So invest in a proper pair of snips, not human nail trimmers, and a fair bit of vet. fees are saved.
Not too short, though..

Best of with yours,
Bob.

Answer 8

Buy a good quality set of nail clippers for dogs, find the quip and cut right above that. If you do cut the quip and it bleeds, put some powder or flour on it to stop the bleeding. You get better at cutting them with practice.

Answer 9

A well-trained dog makes everyone happy, including his owner. Take a little time training him, and you'll never regret it; you'll always have an obedient dog by your side. Find more https://tr.im/y2dAr

By their nature, dogs are pack animals with a well-defined social order. Through basic training, you need to consistently make sure your puppy understands that you are the leader, not him. So in teaching him the basic rules, you take on the role of pack leader.

To fit into the family circle, your dog must be taught to recognize his name and such commands as come, heel, lie down and sit.

Answer 10

Buy the correct tool from a pet shop, but be sooooooo careful not to cut into the dark bit ( the quick) as it will be as painful for the dog as having our nails pulled out for us.