trimming toenails

[Raven]

Why would anyone say you're a bad mom because you hit a quick first time out? Everyone's scared they're going to do that.

The only time I use a clipper is when I notice they're a bit too long; I'll take off the tips with them, and then use the Dremmel--sanding side-to-side until they're a good length. I probably keep more length on them than other people would just because I can't see the quick.

The quick grows longer if the nail is allowed to grow too long over time/repeatedly over time, so unless the nails were really very long, or continually allowed to get very long, you're not likely to hit the quick. So, I'd guess you were trying to get them as short as possible, and in doing so hit it, rather than the quick had grown to a greater length down the nail.

With a Dremmel, you'd have more control.

The only thing I don't like about the Dremmel--I don't know if there are different models--is that ours is wicked fast on the lowest setting so I'm super-careful to separate his toes while squeezing the base of a nail when I sand. (If that makes sense.) First, if the Dremmel slips, it'll likely get me, not him; second, it keeps the nail stationary and he doesn't feel the vibration as much.

I commend you for wanting to do this yourself. For YEARS, I would never touch a nail (birds, rabbits, cats, dogs)--had friends or pros do the clipping. The only reason I started was b/c of my adopted Dutch shepherds! Trial by fire.

How did the dog react? (And were you more upset than the dog?)

[Owly]

how would I know when to stop?

When you bend the paws to see the underside of the nail, you can see the little indention where the nail angles out into a incurved or split looking wall, before this happens "at the tip" of the split is where the quick starts. On Nami's nails, there's a little white indention almost at each of these points even though her nails are black. Clipping the quick is what causes the nail to bleed. You want to cut right before this. If you have wiggly paws, you might want to cut further away just so that you don't accidentally clip the quick if a paw is jerked.

As far as dremmeling goes, I've only seen it used to smooth out the nail job.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

Nah - I've clipped too far on H a few times. It happens - especially if they're wriggly. As an add on to Owly's post, if you pick up her paw and look (so her paw pad is facing the ceiling - you may be sitting next to her facing her tail to get this angle but it's far easier for all parties involved) there is a pinkish or darkish line under the nails. H has worn down his paws so much that I can visibly see the quick and clip above it - when his paw is "upside down" like I described above I see a little round thing that ends and the nail encases and extends past it. It's really weird to describe but lifting his paw like how I described let's me see it since his nails are so worn they don't fully incase it and it's much easier to see and not clip.

This is just a quick link I googled and glanced at the images to help illustrate - of course they choose a dog with "white" nails because it's easier to see than a dog with dark nails (fail). http://www.affordablevet.net/blog/avoid ... ogs-nails/
But hopefully it helps.

One some clippers there's a guard to prevent cutting too far by essentially only allowing you to take small pieces off one at a time. Using these the first few times can help you get a feel for it.

I've also found that while working on desensitization/training for this, after they get the gist of what's happening, a firm but gentle "no" if they start to try to pull the paw away helps them to learn to keep still. With H I had to apply a firm but gentle pressure to his paw when he started to wriggle with a "no" just because that's how I could "correct" him in a sense with two hands busy. As soon as he stopped the pressure was released and the gently cupping/holding of his paw resumed. Wasn't strangling his paw but I was making it hard for him to just wriggle away from me. Also, ironically, teaching "shake paws" helps them get over people handling paws if they're just being stubborn about it - once H learned that he was fine if I told him "shake", took the offered paw, clipped, and released (we did have to work on lengthening the time I held his paw and introducing the clippers as well as other things) with a treat in his mouth.

[Dutchringgirl]

oh it happens, Ive cut thalie too short, with black nails, its hard sometimes, your a good mom !!!

[Stacy_R]

Why would anyone say you're a bad mom because you hit a quick first time out? Everyone's scared they're going to do that.

And everyone does it. If they didn't, there would be no need for quick stop. It happens. Just take it slow. I don't dremel...clipping is faster for me...and I'd rather be done fast. My schnauzer has seriously thick black nails and super long quicks and she hates her feet messed with. You'll figure out what works for you. Just hang in there and breathe.

[racingiron1]

Yup, anyone who's ventured unto clipping has been where you are now. I'm still a big baby about clipping Hilde. Aside from the comments above, for dark nails you can look at the bottom of the nail to know when you're getting too short. Near the bottom of this page there are some helpful pictures:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_claws.aspx

I'm thinking of switching to the Dremel method, if I can get Hilde acclimated to it. Here's a page with some good pictures and descriptions of that process:
http://www.luvakis.com/nail-dremeling.html

[Dutchringgirl]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO yo do NOT suck and you are NOT a bad mom, we all have been through this, even after decades of having dogs I STILL make them bleed a bit sometimes.

I use a dremmel and just make them smooth and eye how short, You would probably be pretty safe stopping in time. Sometimes Thalie will flinch if I am cutting and as I squeeze im getting the vein so I stop.

[k9lexi]

Too funny all these responses were on page 2 of this post I saw it was active topic but only saw mine at the bottom because I didn't notice page 2 I don't feel so bad if I'm not the only one she yiped, pulled her paw back, I saw blood and put the Clippers away. I used to do my previous dogs nails maybe I had better luck because I wasn't middle-aged and loosing my close up vision I'll look at the videos and pics and try again with reading glasses on I happen to have a vet appt tomorrow. Maybe she would take thr time to give me a lesson thanks for all the feedback. I'll let you know how it goes

[MultiPurposeK9]

Nails very rarely bleed using a dremel. Use a little caution because the friction of the disc creates heat on the nail. I sand for a few seconds, reward, sand and reward till I get the nail edge perpendicular to the ground. Look a the surface you are sanding and you will see what I call the "horseshoe" at that point you are about done. Have your dog walk on a hard surface, if you can't hear the click on any of the toes you are at the desired length.