by j.lee43

(By Joe Cinova)

So here’s the big question. When and how do I start to cut my dog’s nails? It’s a great question and with a little education and the right tools you can be on your way shortly. In this article I’ll also give you my #1 secret for cutting a small, little, nervous dogs’ nails.

 The first thing you need to do before starting is to understand the whole procedure or it can be quite a traumatic experience for your pet and for you. The process itself is much easier on a dog that has “white” or “light-colored” nails than those like my Miniature Pinchers that are black.  Ok so let’s get started.

 The first step in developing a successful program for cutting your pets nails is starting when they are young. Very young! Although cutting nails is a common occurrence for us, for a dog it’s probably one of the most nerve-racking things they can be put through. Getting them use to having their nails cut is so important. It’s something that will help them and you for years to come.

As soon as we got our girls home from the breeder, I got them used to having their nails cut. I developed my own process and started using it immediately. Even if I didn’t really cut their nails I would go thru the actions of doing so. This way it becomes second nature to them.

 Next, they always were treated and praised with a cookie after I am done. They very easily relate me cutting their nails to a positive outcome, providing I’ve done it correctly. To do so, the first and foremost item you need is a proper pair of nail cutters. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use nail clippers meant for a human. Here’s why.

 A dogs nails are different in 3 important ways. First, they are much harder than our nails. Second, their nails have what is called the “quick”. This is where the “living” part of the nail begins. And third, a dogs nails are shaped completely different than ours. They are basically “flat and curved to the shape of our fingers.

 The right nail cutters will make all the difference in the world. There are 2 basic types to consider. There are guillotine cutters or scissor type. Generally speaking the scissor type is better suited to a smaller animal in my opinion. Having to manipulate the larger guillotine type cutter on small nails just isn’t an easy thing to do. Also, the scissor type nail cutters have a “backing” plate to prevent you taking off too much nail at one time.

 Both of these cutters work well on a pet’s claws for one big reason. They are shaped to enclose and cut all around the nail in one shot. If you used regular clippers for a human, they will “crush” the nail and it will break off in pieces. Your dog will go nuts.

 When we cut our nails we know we can safely cut the nails down very close to the tip of the finger. If we cut too close to the skin, IT HURTS! Well, in a similar fashion, if we cut too close to the “quick” on a dog’s nails IT WILL HURT THE DOG. Preventing this from happening is the difference between keeping them happy and you from sweating bullets.

 So what is the ”quick” in a dog’s nail? Simply put it is a blood vessel that runs inside the center of a dogs nail. This is the part that you need to watch out for and the longer you wait between cuttings the closer to the end of the nail it will be.

On light colored nails it is easy to see. It is the “pinkish or whitish” looking colored part of the nail closer to the paw. Shining a light thru the bottom of the nail will also let you see it better. For dogs with darker or black nails it is much more of a challenge to cut the nail properly. Shining a light may help but the proper way to do it is a little at a time.

 As you cut off very small sections of the dark colored nail you need to keep looking at the front edge of the nail. The nail will have a top dark color and the bottom will be a light or off color white. Once you cut the nail and are at a section where the “top dark color” turns to a slight gray or even a pinkish looking color, you need to stop. This is where the “quick” begins. Success! One down seven to go.

 Clipping their nails on a REGULAR basis will help tremendously. Every three to four weeks should do the job. Even small cuts automatically make the quick retreat back towards the paw. This is what you want to happen so it’s not as much of a worry. This is especially true for dark colored nails.

 If you wait too long between cuttings it is a major discomfort to the animal. It can cause health issues including sore feet and hip problems. The nails should barely touch the ground when they walk. So if you hear them tapping on the floor or see them getting caught in the rugs, it’s time to cut them.

Now for my #1 secret for cutting a small, little, nervous dogs’ nails. Remember I told you I have Min Pins. They are quite a high strung breed and never have and still don’t take well to having their nails cut. The girls, who are 5 years old aren’t that bad. TC on the other hand is a male. He just turned 17 years old this year and is still feisty as ever.

 He is the one that needs all the comfort and understanding in the world before I can touch him. He has never gotten used to it until a few years back. The secret I use is to cover him with his own blanket while I am cutting his nails.

He always tried to nip whoever cut his nails. So I first bought a small muzzle. That stopped him from biting but it made him More nervous. So I decided to place his blanket on my lap put him on it and cover him up in it while I cut. It calmed him down, which calmed me down and now we’re both friends again. LOL!

 I reach in and take one paw at a time and it’s now a pleasure. For whatever reason, having the blanket around him keeps him calm so it’s well worth trying especially on a smaller dog. You’ve seen the same effect on other animals. Ever watch them try to wrap up an alligator on TV? What’s the first thing they do? They throw a blanket over their eyes. Well its doing the same thing here, its keeping them calm.

 Talk to your vet and have them show you the correct procedure for trimming your pets nails. Use sharp nail cutters and remember to start them young and keep their nails trimmed. Proper pet care is a great responsibility. The most important thing for you is consistency and patience. Don’t let the little things stop you from enjoying their company. You’ll be glad you didn’t and so will they!

 Thanks for reading.

 Copyright Cinova LLC – 2009

More Dog Blanket Articles

What happens when you run out of pet food in the middle of the day? The quickest way is to dash to the nearest pet store and replenish your pet supplies, as most online orders are not delivered immediately.

It requires a lot of energy and time to provide the best pet care to our animals. The pet store is the most convenient place to purchase all the pet supplies for your beloved pets, as they will usually have stocks on the products or services that are in high demand or most commonly bought by customers.

In a large city or big town, there should be dozens of pet stores situated near every residential area. You should look for a store that keeps their goods in a neat and hygienic manner. Perishable products such as food or anything with a shelf date should be sold within the validity date.

In addition, an up-market store should have the latest products that may help pet owners minimize on the amount of time spent on pet care.

Firstly, there is a need to groom your pet under a daily, bi-weekly or weekly schedule, as the activity is necessary to keep the animal’s coat healthy and shiny. Grooming is also essential, as it will also eradicate fleas and other parasites. The pet store should have hygiene and grooming products such as shampoos, skin lotions, bathing foams, deodorizers as well as a good range of grooming tools like nail clippers/files, rakes, combs and brushes. It should also have products on dental care and commonly used medications.

Other useful innovations that can be found in an up-market store are the automatic feeders and watering gadgets. These products give your pets access to food and water whenever there is a need, without the owner’s presence to attend to their meals. In addition to convenience, automated feeders build in the control of releasing food to animals with dietary needs. As animals usually tend to dehydrate more quickly, it is important to have water readily available to them.

There should also be some varieties of traveling aids such as specially designed harness, car seats and soft cages in the pet store. Pet owners can buy these aids when traveling with their pets in cars. If you choose to bring your pet out in a bicycle, there should be a range of baskets with different safety and security features available in the store.

Most of the pet store will usually stock up a variety of leads and collars for dogs or puppies. In addition to holding your pet’s registration tags, collars also give the animal a unique identity whereas the leads can be belt around your waist as you jog or stroll with your pet. You can buy a pocket pouch from the store to carry your pet if is a small animal like the Chihuahua. A muzzle will most likely be necessary if your pet is a large or dangerous dog, especially on occasions when humans need to be kept safe.

You should be able to find a good range of bedding materials in a variety of sizes and styles in the pet store. These will probably include kennels and mats for dogs, basket and cushion products for cats, cages for the birds and rodents as well as aquariums for fishes and tortoises. Rugs and blankets are also needed to keep your pets warm during cold weathers. These accommodations will ensure that your pets are able to rest comfortably.

In addition, you should be able to buy secure enclosures such as safety pet fences or cat fences at the store. These are soft wire mesh enclosures that can be placed in backyards or on balconies. Such blocking enclosures will keep your pet safe and prevent them from wandering off while having a stretch of exercises outdoors.

Finally yet importantly, your pet will enjoy the endless list of toys sold in the pet store. These may include balls, Frisbees and bones for dogs, scratching posts and tunnels for cats, mirrors for birds as well as racing tracks for rodents.

You may even find more pampering products, unusual toys, specialty clothing and other ‘hidden treasures’ when searching through the bigger pet store(s). A trip there will bring you and your pets plenty of joy and fun together.

Ske Chay
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/pet-store-are-you-able-to-get-your-beloved-pets-need-70498.html