Foot Grooming and Nail Trimming
A Show Dog's Life
A Show Dog's Life
This diagram shows a dog’s nail. For a dog with white nails, trimming is easier as you can see the quick (the quick is a vein of blood). (Good lighting helps too.) For a dog with black nails, trimming is harder.
You do not want to clip the quick, or the dog will be scared to let you try again. So I recommend with black nails to trim on the longer side to be safe...until you get to know where the quick is. If you cannot trim your dog’s nails, take your dog to the vet or a groomer. Many owners find this difficult.
If you trim the nails often the quick will retract back over time. If you do not trim the nails often the quick grows longer.
This dog broke her nail jumping out of a car. The quick was exposed which was very painful until it healed.
Pictured is an example of a dog's nails that have grown too long. This dog runs a high risk of getting its nails caught on something possibly ripping it off. Broken nails cause great pain to a dog, just as ripping off your own fingernail past the skin would. Its paws will also be sore from all of the constant pressure on the nails. Imagine yourself walking on your fingernails all day long. When a dog walks the nails should be short enough that their weight is not resting on its nails.
Example of a dog's nails that have grown too long
Example of a dog's nails that have grown too long
This dog has white nails, which shows the pink quick making it easier to properly cut them. This fella is in need of a trim. If the owner lets the nails grow long too many times the quick will also grow longer. Cutting the nails often will make the quick retract back.
Dog with long white nails in need of a trim.
These are some tools owners use for nails (see pictures below). It is wise to have quick stop on hand to stop the bleeding if you accidentally hit a quick. If you do not have any and blood will not stop, apply pressure and sometimes ice or flour will work.
If you start cutting your puppy’s nails from day one then nail cutting will be accepted as routine as an adult. Most dogs do not like the feel of getting their nails trimmed. So remember that PROPER introduction to this activity is extremely important for continued success.
A dog’s nails should not touch the ground, so if you hear clicking (clickety click) on your hard floors, it is time to trim.
Some dogs that walk a lot on hard surfaces will maintain their own nails at a proper length.
Nails need to be trimmed once per month.
Trimming Slipper Feet
Longhaired breeds grow hair between the pads of their feet. This is uncomfortable and needs to be removed. The fastest way is with electric clippers, but blunt scissors work equally as well. Remember to go slow; you never want to slip. If you are uncomfortable doing this, then you should be taking your dog to a groomer for things that you cannot do.
If you do not trim the slipper feet of longhaired breeds, then the dog when running on hardwood, tile, or linoleum floors can slip; it is like wearing slippery slippers. This hair on the bottom of the feet should be removed so the dog can properly grip the floor with his/her pads. Toenails should not be heard clicking on the floor either.
Remember to trim the excess hair from between the pads of a longhaired dog.
Very bad case of slipper feet
After they have been groomed
Courtesy of MistyTrails Havanese
