Everyone who owns a dog understands the necessity of maintaining the well-being of this family member. It can easily be done through the use of grooming and veterinary check-ups. Though the amount of grooming will vary depending on the breed, one thing that never changes is the need to trim those toenails. In order to achieve this, a good set of dog clippers will be required.
For trimmers the open scissor style or the closed guillotine type is most common. The advantage of the scissor model is that it can fit almost any size dog nail and can be used on curling nails as well. The guillotine model may be easier for some people because it does not slip quite as much and often comes with a guard to stop one from trimming too far back.
Whichever style you use, it is important to train the animal from an early age so that he accepts people handling his feet. It is often helpful to lay him on his side. Put your left hand over his neck and hold the lower leg while your right arm rests on his body and with the trimmer cut the nails on that lower leg. Some dogs may need to be turned to do the other side. And if your pup is extra sensitive you may want someone to help you out by gripping the dog collar.
Within each nail there is a blood vessel and nerve called the quick. Cutting too far back will cause the nail to bleed, making him more skittish about future trimmings. While it is best to try not to trim too far back, it will happen on occasion. Make sure you have the proper dog supplies on hand, like styptic powder, to stop the bleeding. It’s best to trim them often; otherwise the quick may extend farther down within the nail.
A healthy, happy life is what everyone is hoping for their pet. Having a good pair of dog clippers can help make that a reality.
