Today I have a guest blogger by way of an impromptu video. Dr. Leslie Woodcock DVM, is a long time friend of mine (for more than 20 years). She has been our Team Canada veterinarian at most of our international events (WAO, IFCS, FCI) for the past five years. Dr. Leslie is the former owner of Woodcock Veterinary Services, a clinic that specialized in rehabilitation for dogs post surgery or post-injury and helping dog owners with injury prevention. Leslie has also been there every step of the way during Encore’s recent health problems. Her assistance and support has been nothing short of amazing.
Last year Dr. Leslie was at our place evaluating dogs at a workshop when I asked her to give a little lecture on nail trimming for performance dogs. It was a fascinating presentation. In summary; short nails are a key to our dogs rebalancing around an agility course and are critical in our geriatric dog’s long-term health. This presentation is a part of a three-part series I am currently running in my newsletter. If you are not yet a member of my newsletter sign up with the form on the top right of this page and you will be!
Can you name which set of paws belong to which of my dogs? From left to right . . .
Dr. Leslie suggests that our goal should be to cut our dog’s nails short enough that you can not hear them on your tile floor (when I can hear my guys I know it is time to cut nails!). In order to get the nails this short without hurting the dog (or making their nails bleed), your goal should be to get the “quick” (or soft bit that supplies blood to the nail) to recede.
Most people when cutting nails try to cut directly across the dog’s nail (as in the diagram below).
However, as Dr. Leslie recommends the best way to cut your dog’s nails without hurting them AND get that quick to recede is to cut the sides of the nails on angling back.
Cutting nails this way it becomes easier to get your dog’s nails shorter without hurting them as it isn’t YOU the takes off the bottom bit of the nail it is your dog’s normal everyday wear and tear. I don’t know if my diagrams are perfect but Dr. Leslie’s 14-minute lecture sure is, so make sure you listen to it!
Take a look at these before and after pictures of nearly 17-year-old Buzzy. On the left is Buzz before a nail trim, on the right is him after.
Now I never let my dog’s nails get long (as evident in the picture above of four of my dog’s standing at the top of the stairs (Buzz opted out of that picture)). So the differences in these two pictures will not be as dramatic as they could be if Buzz was more of a “typical” 17-year-old dog with claws so long they are starting to curl under the pads (poor dog). But if you look closely you can see the length or angle of Buzz’s paws appears to change slightly from the picture on the left (before his nail trim) to that on the right (after his nail trim). It could just be the way he is standing (both of these pictures I just “caught” Buzz standing) but to me, it appears he is also distributing his weight differently between these two pictures.
Buzz before nail trim Buzz after nail trim
Dr. Leslie’s talk is a real eye-opener, be sure to leave her a comment and let her know your thoughts!
Today I am grateful to my friend Leslie Woodcock whose commitment to learning more about how to help dogs is surpassed only by her love of them.
Update: There are further videos on nail trimming that will help you if your dog is not a fan of nails being clipped.
- Help! My Dog Hates His Nails Cut … What Do I Do?
- Proactive Conditioning for Dog Nail Trimming Success
- This! One is About Conditioning the Dremel for Puppy Nails
And due to popular demand, we now have “Your Dog’s Pedicure Please Program” at our store for you to start immediately online. Your Dog’s Pedicure Please Program will create a positive emotional response for your dog to grooming in general and nail trimming in particular.
We’ve had many questions about what I use for a nail grinder for my dogs, and it’s a *Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder with LED Light that I got on Amazon. I also like to use a Dremel with a *Diamond Nail Rotary Tool Bit.
[*Amazon Links Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Susan only recommends products she uses herself, and all opinions expressed here are her own. The link above is an affiliate link that, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you decide to buy from it. Thank you!]
Thank you so much! I have been faithfully trimming my 15 year old border collie’s nails weekly in an effort to make the quick recede, with no success.
Thanks for the great info. Understanding why, is paramount to keeping the nails short.
Thank you! This will make such a difference to my old dog, and my other dogs too.
Hi I watched this video a few years ago and have cut my dogs nails like this since and it has made such a difference. I just have difficulty convincing my friends to do the same.
Would there be a person out in the Parry Sound Muskoka area that trims nails like Dr Leslie Woodcock?
Please let me know, I have a 13 year old Aussie that has black longish nails, touchy feet. He has his nails trimmed every month at the vet but they only take the tips,,,,
Please let me know,,,,I would love to have his nails short.
Thankyou
Leslie Geddes
I have 8 year old Rottweiler and have been using a dremmol to trim her nails for the past couple years. It might be a good thing to let people know that because of the grinding it will produce heat. I find that it’s is helpful to do a tiny bit off each nail and go back and forth between them so the nails don’t get too hot. My dog has always been extremely sensitive with her feet, the best time I found to do her nails is right before her breakfast. The longer we did her nails the easier it became but took months
Hi,
I have not been able to build a +CER to nail clipping for the life of me. My dog is SUPER sensitive to having his feet touched,let alone bringing an object into the picture. I’m currently training him to file his nails on a large plank that we’ve built. Can think get the results we’re looking for?
Thank you so much for sharing how to cut my dogs nails…
Very easy to understand
Loved the drawing you did.. This helped me alot to Learn about my dogs nails…
Thank You..
Very Much…..🐶💞💞
First time I’ve ever had a dog and I am almost 45. This information is invaluable! I have a giant breed and want to make sure that I am doing everything I can to make her life the best possible. I have always heard the clicking sound on the floor and thought it was Normal! My poor baby girl, my mission now is to get those nails done. Thanks so much for the information. Bless you
This was amazingly helpful. A+ video
This was a EXCELLENT VIDEO!!! Thank u for sharing!!! I have been doing my own dogs forever just something I picked up on my own. My Dad bred dogs ALL MY LIFE. I have always been around animals. U Did Verify some things for me with this video. No one has ever been able to tell or explain to me how to judge black nails I kinda guess or use the nail next to it I also use a head lamp! LOL!!! My dog cracked his middle nail ALL THE WAY UP FROM TIP TO BACK I AM REALLY WONDERING WHAT TO DO HERE FOR THIS BIG BOY???? ANY SUGGESTIONS ??? God Bless & THANK U!!!
Thanks Susan for having Leslie explain this so well. I am a former groomer but not that my eyes are not as sharp as they were when I was grooming, I am using a dremel. I have a show dog and was told to get the nails short enough, you had to make them bleed. I like this method much better and it is one that I will use.
This was a very informative video. Can you tell me what kind of clippers Dr. Leslie uses and where I can buy them? Thank you.
That was a great video. My wife uses a dremel I will make sure she watches this video as well since I think our dogs nails are still too long. Maybe she should use a clippers before she dremels as recommended in the video. Thanks.
Excellent video. Will be working on my gals nails a bit different. Thank you so much for this information
Groomers have been doing my dog’s nails weekly for over a year trying to shorten them. The cut-across method is not working. He grows them back as fast as they can clip them. Two questions: (1) Is there a way I can share this video with them? (2) I couldn’t tell what kind of clippers were being used. Could you clarify? Thanks so much.
I love the dremel for my dogs’ nails. Nail clipping used to involve a lot of wincing (both me and the dogs). I didn’t often get the quick, but felt terrible when I did. And then the next time we’d both be tense.
Dremel hints:
Start really slowly and use your highest value treats. My timid dog was terrified of the dremel initially. It took about 3 weeks of patience to get to the point that he now comes running and happily holds up a paw when I get the dremel out.
First, we just looked at the box and treated. Then we looked at the (silent) dremel. Eventually, he would eat treats off the dremel. Then I touched him with the (silent) dremel, then held a paw and touched, etc. Repeat the (SLOW) process with a running dremel. Don’t progress until the dog is happy with the previous step. The first few “grinds” were mere touches of a running dremel to the nail, with lots of celebratory treating throughout.
I started with the dog-paw cordless version but was disappointed to eventually find out that a new battery for that costs nearly as much as a whole new tool (basically, it’s disposable). Now I’ve commandeered my husband’s regular corded dremel and I like that I can adjust the speed, and I never grab it only to find out it needs charging.
Grinding does produce fine “bone dust” that seems best not to breath, so whenever possible, we grind nails outdoors on a breezy day, or in front of a fan indoors if the weather’s bad.
Thank you!!!! I never knew how important this was. I’m now thinking of all the dogs I see that need to be done. Including my own.
THANK YOU!! I am a 44 year pet groomer.
This is the very first time I have heard someone else besides myself explain nail cutting this way. I try to teach it as well.
I find that the vets (vet techs) in general, do not hold this premise. Also, you are right, groomers in general don’t cut them correctly either.
Wow! That was very informative not to get my nerve up and get started. Thank you so much.
My rescue whippet (age 8) shakes and is obviously terrified if I try to trim his claws. I’ve got him to accept me holding his paws and even putting the trimmer on his nail, but if I try to cut he has gone!!I file them which helps but takes time and he only allows short spells. An electric dremmel terrifies him too. He walks in the woods – no-where to walk on pavement -so it’s going to be along time before his claws are the correct length.
With a terrified dog, I’d let a groomer or vet do it, so there is no association of something negative with YOU. From the time they are pups, I teach my guys to lie on their sides on my bed, massage until they are super-relaxed, treat, one nail, treat, more massage, another nail, etc. You can try super high value treat, trim just the tip of one nail, another treat and let him go. Do it several times a day, make it a pleasant experience and he might get better.
For front nails it also helps if you teach him/her a trick to “dig, scratch” on sand paper glued to some hard surface. My friend also had dog very affraid of touches-not just feet. TTouch helped her a lot and after that a massage.
Hi Susan, thank you for your helpful article.
,
This sounds great! I have a large rescue yorkie we got on Aug. 24/2016 whose nails are really long, like an inch. Dew claws are curled a bit. I have been taking him in for nail trims monthly since we got him. In April 2017 I was told the quick receding is a fallacy. We had purchased the pet pedi tool for grinding the nails, but it is pretty loud and freaks him out. With the frequent trims and walking on pavement there has not been all that much difference in the nail length. I feel terrible hearing him clickedty-clack while walking around on tiles. He is constantly lapping at his nails.
My question is – How long will it take to get the nails short enough not to hear them when he walks on tile?
Thanks for your help!
Blessings.
Patty & Max
Get a high quality groomers dremmel. Use a fine sand paper. Do it daily followed by yummy special treats. Takes persistence.
Is there such a thing as having your dogs nails too short? I have been trimming my girls nails like in the video above for a couple weeks now and they look awesome. A few are still a bit longer than I would like but my husband says he is worried about them being too short.
This is a very good video!
I am so fearful of getting the quick. I’m unsure what the quick looks like, really. I wish someone had a REALLY good close up, color picture TO SHOW US WHAT EXACTLY IT LOOKS LIKE. If my dog yips I immediately let go. I have gotten the quick a couple of times, but not very often.
Hi, you can’t see the quick, because it is a blood vessel. If you saw a picture of one you wouldn’t be able to make it out anyway because of all the blood.
However, you can tell when you are getting close to the quick because you can start to see the pulp, or soft tissue, that is directly ahead of the quick. That being said, often times when you get that close you are also close to the nerve endings, so there is a lot of discomfort when getting that close.
I found a photo of what the pulp looks like on black nails. You can see it at http://weliveinaflat.com/blog/how-to-cut-dogs-black-nails/ With whiter nails the pulp looks more pink like. You can start to make out a circle directly in the center of the nail as you get close.
If you’re still not comfortable, it is better to just cut a little off every week or two to keep them trimmed. Also, walking on pavement helps to file down the nails.
Long nails can cause painful, irreversible Arthritis in their toes all the way up their spine, because it changes their natural gait. Kind of like if we had to wear high heels all the time! So no matter how you have to trim the nails, just get it done!
Lastly, there is a Facebook page called, “Nail maintenance for dogs” that you should check out. It is a support group with lots of helpful tips on keeping nails trimmed properly, and support to get it done even when you want to give up!
Best of luck!!!
Thank you very much for your knowledge and the time to share. I am working on my older cockapoo. I let his nails get too long. I feel better now that I know what to do. I have a small drimmel tool that I am going to have to get out, and keep out if I remember correctly.
So today I took my daughters doggy 2 Petsmart. Took her 2 get groomed. Everything seemed/was fine till about 12:30 this morning. My daughter noticed her dog bleeding from her right front paw. Her thumb nail seems to look lifted & to the side. I googled how 2 stop the bleeding with Syptic Powder & was informed that there’s even Aspirin for her. But what can have possibly went wrong for her nail 2 be like that?? ???
Please if anyone knows what can be done comment, thank you!!
Corina, petsmart may have cut too much. you need to get all the great info on the Nail Maintenance group page at https://m.facebook.com/groups/nail.maintenance.for.dogs/. They have files, nail photos and videos.
Writing a good blog is an art. You’re doing some great work here. Keep it up.
Such an informative article and still as applicable today as it was when it was written 3 years ago! Can’t stop sharing 🙂
Thank you very much for your knowledge and the time to share. I am working on my older cockapoo. I let his nails get too long. I feel better now that I know what to do. I have a small drimmel tool that I am going to have to get out, and keep out if I remember correctly.
I never thought I’d see my old dogs nails off the ground again but after following your instructions they are! Thanks so much for sharing this knowledge.
Christie and the old boy Rocky
Thank you for such helpful information!
its really amazing info about dog grooming. i will keep in my mind.
My female pitbull service dog Rio Risa Roja often pulls me on a mountain bike, we frequently use the paved city streets, the highway and riverwalk, they are mostly surfaced with asphalt and/or concrete.
And voilà — they are usually worn down naturally to just above the ‘quick’, I check/inspect her nails before, during, and after, walking, running, bike and/or cart pulling. I usually only need to trim, to clean up slightly jagged edges on the claws of her feet. seriously she seems to trim them naturally with our runs on paved and concrete surfaces.
She instinctively knows if and when she wears the nail too close to the quick, when the surface makes contact with the quick, it ‘quickly’* comes to my attention as her gait tempo will have changed, she will have begun to favor a particular foot. I always carry a first-aid kit, that includes disinfectant, bandages, and emergency ‘dog-booties’ in the event any of her feet need extra protection.
She uses her two front Dew Claws to help grasp and manipulate… DOGipulate** objects, and I leave them untrimmed for the most part, occasionally give them a slight trim, but Rio does use them when she uses her front legs to hold and handle things… like driftwood, tennis balls et cetera. They really are functional claws.
*
**
‘Foot’-notes: (pardon the puns, I started to put ‘side-notes’ but could not resist).
Nearly ALL of the dog anatomy charts, and references spell the word “quick” and not the kwik shown on the OP referenced chart.
Really great Stanford that you check Rio’s nails regularly as paved / concrete surfaces can be hard on dogs pads and nails!
My 12 yr old Girl pup has those large very black nails with no quick showing through, only one on all feet are clear. I don’t trust manual trimmers.
I use my common Dremel tool to make it quick and fast and she doesn’t fuss. You have to be careful however, trim only in the direction of the rotation of the tool, never back and forth over the nail from side to side, it heats up and that hurts them.
A little at a time. I take them down probably not enough, but enough to not hear the clicking on pavement, that will hurt after a long walk. She rather dreads “spa” day, nails, bath, teeth…she’s in a funk for about an hour until she dries and realizes she feels wonderful.
My shepherd is 5 years old & we have an extreme problem trimming her nails. My husband has a dremmel. You think this would work gently?
Thanks for the very clear insight into why, when and how to trim dog nails. We have been getting them done at groomers and or vets and both dogs, Porties Encore and Anchor, seem to be growing their claws longer. We live in a rural setting and lack the sanding affecr of running or walking on concrete. Your vetrinary friend has given me the confidence to give the grinder/dremel approach a try.
Using those clippers was always a tense time for me and for our dogs. Hope we can figure out this new approach together. Cheers Mel and Enc ‘n Anch.
lol good luck! what she fails to mention is that 90% of dogs out there have total meltdowns for the dremels. it’s very uncomfortable, loud, and terrifying for them. most dogs can’t handle it. they usually have more of a chance of being ok with it if they’ve been trained to be ok with it since they were puppies. simply put – dogs are MUCH more likely to be ok with a 1second clip with nail clippers than 30 second grinding with the nail clipper. i’m sure you’ll figure this out though lol, good luck!
Most dogs does NOT have meltdowns for the dremel. If you introduce it right it won’t take long before the dog is completely comfortable with it and age doesn’t really have any bearing on it.
I’ve used the dremel on dogs that are scared of clippers and not a single one has had a meltdown. As long as you introduce them in a positive way they accept them just fine. I’ve used them on dogs from the ages of 1 to 10 and age has made no difference.
My Boxer has very thick nails and even the guillotine trimmers dont work without applying extreme force which freaks her out.
Going to try the Dremel and if it doesnt work I can use it in the garage and keep taking het to the vet.
I can’t use the trimmers on our big ( 70 pounds) boy dog, I can however the cordless dremel for dogs I ordered off Amazon. It took a while, but now he lays down for “spa day” and gets string cheese while I grind them down–so much easier than wrestling him and stressing both of us out 🙂
I’ll agree that most dogs will be nervous initially, but my 10 and 11 year old corgis got used to it quickly (remember that corgis are known for having extremely touchy feet) and my 3 mutts at 5 years old, also a bit nervous around new things. Proper introduction and patience does wonders. Overall, they were much happier than with clippers.
Agree with others, had trouble with the guillotine cutters and extreme pressure sometimes needed. Started our Dillon with the Dremel when he was 5yrs old. Mine is cordless and variable speed and I use diamond abrasive burrs (cylindrical,about 5mm diam,rounded end), which stay like new so you can use a fine grit one all the time. Do trim back any long hair around the nails first as catching this around the burr will make the dog jump. I also keep a finger holding the nail steady – don’t worry the burr wont cut soft flesh (really) only hard nails, just like the device they use to remove plaster casts. Also monitor the temperature of the nail using this same finger as you don’t want to overheat the nail as your dog will feel it if the heat gets up the nail to the quick where the nerves are, so little pauses between passes with the dremel. Our Dillon nearly goes to sleep now whilst I am doing his nails.
Two of my dogs verge on massive panic attack when i try to clip their nails with a traditional clipper. It’s so bad that i can usually only get two nails actually cut and we all walk away traumatized. With a dremel it def takes longer, but they can endure the process with a little encouragement.
I used to have a dog that had to be sedated to get her nails clipped. I got her used to the dremel in one day. My current dog just lays on the couch while I do them. It does not hurt them and isn’t uncomfortable. I use it on the rough skin on my feet and it is not painful.
My dog has a black line down her claw and it seems to be sore ?any idea what it could be
many dogs out there have multi-colored nails, a different color in the nail shouldn’t be alarming. if the dog is sensitive and is in pain upon touching it though – then i would look into taking him to the vet. could be many different things, only a vet doing testing can tell you for sure.
Good and useful article about how to cut our dog nails. Thank you! 🙂
Does this method have a name? How do I find someone who does this? Is there someonev in Austin, TX?
My Rescue, a 3 yr old Nova Scotia Duck Toller presents with very aggressive behavior when attempts to clip his nails. The only way I have found to work is to have him sedated and nails quick-cut but I don’t like to do this. Not only is it extremely expensive to do 3-4 times a year but it can’t be healthy for my dog. His nails get so long and sharp they slice like razors even though he goes on walks several times a day and has run of a large wooded yard In your opinion, is it better to put him under the sedation or to let his nails get long?
Your question posits a misleading dichotomy: anesthetize or don’t trim. But there is a different alternative. Counter condition the dog. It will take an investment of time and patience; the more time that the dog has had negative experiences, the more time you will need to invest in counter conditioning. But the payoff will last your dog’s entire life, so should be well worth it. Patience!
http://drsophiayin.com/videos/entry/training_a_dog_to_enjoy_toenail_trims?/resources/video_full/training_a_dog_to_enjoy_toenail_trims
Urgh. Am really struggling here. I’ve been trimming my lurcher’s long nails like this for a few months. At first it was so easy, the nails cut very easily and he didn’t mind at all. I could do all four feet and take off a good amount top and sides. But over time I’ve occasionally got a bit close to the quick for his liking and he’s pulled away, and now he’s very worried when the clippers come out. I was confident at first but now I’m worried too, because the cutting has become harder – his nails seem harder, it’s very difficult to get anything off the sides and they have a strong curve so I don’t seem to be able to cut without touching the quick. If I could be confident in my own ability he wouldn’t have so much of a problem with it, but every time I try now I struggle. I quicked him really badly this morning and am kicking myself. I can’t work out how to get the shallow top cut because of the downward curve of the top of the nail. Do I cut just the curve off, because if I try to cut the end of the nail and curve at the same time, I’m slicing into the top of the quick, and if I just go at the end of the nail I end up cutting more perpendicular to the end of the nail, rather than at an angle? I hope that makes sense. I just don’t understand why it’s become so difficult. I’ll try to sharpen my clippers in case that’s part of the problem. I also can’t work out how to get at the right angle to cut them – doing it with him standing doesn’t work at all, and I’ve been doing it with him lying on his side but that’s hard too unless I can get him to lie at the top of the stairs! I thought his nails were getting shorter and the quicks receding but now I’m not so sure. After only a week of not cutting they look as long as ever. 🙁
You should try dremeling, it is nearly impossible to quick the nail and you can get them shorter than clippers. You can round the nail right to the quick without causing any bleeding.
I have teacup poodle and to be perfectly honest mever knew the importance of nail trimming. What if their nails are already too long? Or shpuld i say that is what i was told the quick has grown out? I feel terrible when i hear this
You can definitely get the quick shorter by trimming the nails this way. You want to cut the nail on the angle described so you ALMOST hit the quick. Over a few session of trimming nails this way the quick will recede.
In that event, you have to trim less but more often to walk the quick back. It will walk back into the nail as the nail gets shorter.
Thank you for this extremely useful information. Now I know why my GSP never looks as though her nails have been trimmed and her quick never recedes.
Do you by any chance know of any dog groomer/ vet who would trim dogs’ nails like this? I live in Niagara Falls and I would be willing to travel if there was someone in the region.
Many thanks.
Regards.
Alice Zammit-Maempel
Who knew a nail lecture could be so interesting and educational?!! I am a canine massage therapist, now I can send clients to this site for a great explanation of why short nails really does matter . Thanks so much for filming and posting! Just the kick in the pants I needed to keep up the “nails war” on my own old greyhound. Thank You!
my dog refused to let his nails trimmed, after several failed attempts i discovered i could roll a ball down the sidewalk and he caharges full speed after it! im now concerned his nails are too short!!!
What in the world does rolling a ball down the sidewalk have to do with trimming nails? Am I missing something?
Warren,
The sidewalk acts like a file which wears the nails down; hence there is no need to trim it’s nails if your dog is getting sufficient exercise walking or running on pavement.
What is the best way to tell where the quick is on black nails?
My dogs nail are black so I have to look at the underside of the nail to see exactly where the quick ends. I actually do that with my dog that has white nails too because you can actually see what you’re doing. If you try to look through the nail, even on white nails, you still can’t clearly see the quick.
I have more of a question. The nail trimming technique is great help, but I know I saw an article about how to train the puppy for stress free, struggle free nail trimming but I cannot find that. Can you please post that information again? Thank you.
Morning Karen, Here in this blog I show a game I play with Swagger to help him find the joy in the task of nail trimming.
http://dogagilityblog.wpengine.com/2012/04/does-your-dog-training-need-a-shot-of-joy/
Hi There! I use a Dremel re-chargeable variable speed tool, with fine grit sanding drum. ONCE a dog’s nails are trimmed, I then send the dog’s owner home with a nail file, purchased at a beauty supply open to the public, 100 grit nail file for ‘Acrylic Nails” its a human’s nail file, with the right texture, and I post videos showing dog owners how to do nails this way…… for free.
Enjoy!
~ Barbara in Ohio.
APDT, HTAP Professional Dog Trainer
since 1989
Thanks for sharing. Great information. I have always had trouble with nails, now I know why!
Great information – definitely an important aspect of dog care.
Thank you for sharing about this topic. I always tell my pet clients about the importance of cutting your pet’s nails. I will share this article on my social media. I run a dog walking & pet sitting business in the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles area.
http://www.sgv-petcare.com