Trimming your dog’s nails is a very important task to keep your pet healthy. Follow simple techniques to make the experience the best it can be for both you and your pet. It is a good idea to take your dog to a vet or groomer to see this done by a professional. Watch their techniques to see what best practices you can follow at home using your dog clipper. Different dogs have varying levels of toenail hardness and shape. A professional can tell you the specifics on how and where to cut for your specific breed.

A dog’s feet are a sensitive area, and many pets dislike having them handled. The best place to perform the trimming is on a raised, level surface such as a table. Attempting to do this on the ground makes it easy for your dog to squirm away. Also, they may think you want to play with them on the floor. Once on the table, it will be very handy if you have a helper who can restrain the pet while trimming. If you are truly having a hard time keeping your dog restrained, professional dog tables are available that hold your pet on a leash bar to keep them in place.

A vital mistake people make is using dog clippers that are dull. The blades must be very sharp to work properly. Invest in a quality pair of nail trimmers for the best results and safety. There are two types of nail trimmers. The first is scissor type which is operated in the same fashion as a pair of scissors. Two strong rounded blades surround the nail to clip it off. The second is a guillotine type which has a circular opening with a blade that rises up through it. Both pet clippers work well on smaller breeds, but larger breeds respond better to the scissor type, being that large dogs have harder nail structures which require more strength to cut cleaning and painlessly.
A quality pair of dog nail clippers can be bought for under $10, which is quite reasonable considering the importance of proper nail trimming. Look for some at your local pet store or even your groomer. If you have specific questions about which ones to buy,  don’t hesitate to ask an associate for assistance. Keep in mind that professional dog clippers are always the best quality but will require greater investment.

If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably had your share of pet clipper use, whether that be with clippers, trimmers, files or grinders.
With practice and time, anyone can learn how to properly trim dog nails quickly and easily. However, not everyone may have the time for this. There is a newer dog nail care product on the market that could possibly replace or supplement dog clippers – the dog nail grinder. As you probably know, if you cut too far into a dog’s nail, you can hit the quick, a blood vessel in the nail. Also, with standard nail clippers, if the blade is not sharp enough, it can crack the nail which can cause pain. This alone can cause your pet to cringe at the sight of a dog clipper and become even more resistant to trimming sessions.
The dog nail grinder is most often a battery powered rotary tool that has a sandpaper-covered end. Your dog’s nail is inserted into a hole on the end, and the rotating head removes a thin layer of nail. This is done several times on each nail until it has reached the proper length. Some models feature a varying speed button which can accommodate different thicknesses of nails, while others offer a simple on/off switch.

Many of these grinders produce a certain amount of noise which your dog may need to become accustomed to. This can be done by slowly introducing your pet to the device. Try sitting with your pet and showing them the grinder while it is operating, not attempting to cut any nails for a couple days. One brand of dog nail grinder you can try is “Pedi Paws”. You may have seen this device advertised on TV.

Whichever type of dog clippers you try (you may find you like more than one), the nail trimming process can be an enjoyable time to spend with your pet after they become accustomed to the process.