If you can't see the quick, just slice off a bit from the end every few days. The quick will recede as the nail gets shorter allowing you to cut it without hitting the quick.
Humans have flat nails while dogs have round ones so, unless your dog has really tiny nails then you need to get one made for dogs. They are not expensive and last a long time. I like the scissors style as I can see more clearly what I am doing.
If you don't want to do it at all, you can take your dog to a groomers.
Here is an article with an illustration and some photos of dog trimmers. There is also an electronic clipper that supposedly senses the blood vessel so that you don't hit.
It helps to desensitize your dog to nail trimming by playing with nails (while feeding treats). Some dogs don't mind at all while other dogs must think you are going to cut their legs off.
http://www.metpet.com/Reference/Dogs/Gro鈥?/a>How far down should you clip your dog's nails??
You cut them a little above the quick, although you have to be very careful if they have all black nails. They are very hard to cut. The dogs nails are hard to cut with regular clippers, you can get pet nail nippers for pet's at Wal-Mart.
It is called the ';quick';. Actually look at your own nails where the white part ends and the pink part starts. Simply put. Notice when you clip too close to pink part your nail bleeds? Same with a dog. And no don't use regular nail clippers. Go to your nearest pet store and ask to see their nail clippers. PetsMart and Pet Co have a wide variety to choose from and they will educate you on their use.
First, get some good heavy-weight clippers from your pet store. Get the ones that actually open similarly to scissors and NOT the ones that are a guillotine-style. Also get a heavy-duty nail file and keep styptic powder or even corn-starch on hand in case of bleeding.
If your dog's nails are clear, it makes the job way easier. You can easily see where the nail stops and bloodline (or ';quick';) begins. Since you are new at this, I would only clip the tips and file a bit just to blunt the edge. You will get more comfortable with it as time goes on and will be able to cut more.
If you dog's nails are black (like my dog's), this makes it a bit tougher. I actually use a Dremel tool with the sandpaper attachment on my dog's nails. It takes more time, but I'm assured that I'll never cut his quick!
You will have to have your dog lying on his back so you can see where the quick is. Again, just trim the tips and file the rest until you get comfortable. If your dog's nails are really long, you will have to repeat this weekly. The longer a dog's nails, the longer the quick goes. Luckily, if you shave a bit off every week, the quick will recede over time.
If you happen to nick or even cut the quick, it will hurt your dog and you will think he's bleeding to death. The blood just never seems to stop. DON'T PANIC! If you put a gob of corn starch or styptic powder on it and hold firmly with a dampened cloth, it will eventually stop.
This is a really unpleasant, but necessary task. I wish you luck!
Get special clippers at the Pet Store (Different sizes depending on what kind of dog / size of nail). You want to cut to just above the quick.
The best way is really to have your Vet show you how - If you cut into the quick, it will be very painful for the dog and it will bleed.
Just take ur dog to petsmart. I took mines and it only cost $4.
The best way is really to have your vet show you how to do it properly. If you cut into the quick, it will be VERY painful for the dog and it will bleed.
a good rule of thumb is to hold the nail and clip it so it's about even with the pad of the paw past the curved portion... if the nails are light-colored, you can see where the blood is and avoid it... regular nail clippers can work on smaller dogs, but it's best to get some dog nail clippers.. they're less than $10... also, good to have a styptic pencil handy in case you do get a bit too short... good luck :-)
For the first time you can take your dog to the groomer and have them clip the nails while they are clipping the nails ask them how to clip the nails.
you really should use the special clippers. Clip before the ';quick'; (where you see the blood running to it.) If you're not sure where this is it's safest to just clip the tip off. Those special clippers help ensure you don't cut too far.
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