Ness Lake Retrievers Newsletter February 2010
Many of you are anxiously awaiting the arrival of your new family member. I thought this may be a good time to review what you will need to have ready and information you may want to read. Inform yourselves on the methods of training that will be suitable for your and your family. Our recommended reading is
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Behavior 7 - 12 Weeks
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Some tips on how to make trimming your dog's nails
1. Check your dog's nails every week or so to determine if they are getting "long". It is often easier to trim them frequently and make it a positive experience for your dog.
2. Ideally, start young. Get your dog used to touching his paws and give him positive reinforcement when he lets you massage and manipulate the paws and nails. The earlier you start clipping or grinding your dog's nails, the more used to it he will become (and the less he'll resist). Reward his good behavior when you handle and touch his paws (without trimming). Frequent trims when your dog is young will help diminish any fear.
3. Learn the anatomy. Within the center of each toenail is the blood and nerve supply for the nail called the "quick". In clear white nails you can see the quick, a pinkish area in the middle of the nail.
5. Determine how much needs to be trimmed before you start grinding or cutting. The basic rule of thumb is that the nail, which curls downward, should be even with the paw pad. Whatever hangs over must be clipped.
6. You may want to sit on the floor with your pet, hold your pet in your lap, or have someone hold your pet on a table. If your dog has light colored nails, eyeball the quick and aim a few millimeters away from it.
7. Introduce the nail grinder to your dog. Pet him with it and make it a positive experience. You may want to do this for several sessions before ever introducing it as a nail grinder or before turning it on.
8. If you are using a nail grinder, the next step is to turn it on. Let your dog get used to the noise and vibration of it. You may also want to do this over several sessions before using it on your dog's nails.
9. After your dog is used to the trimmer or a nail grinder that has been turned on, use it to trim his nails. Grind or trim the nail below the quick on a 45-degree angle.
Patience, gentle words and perhaps treat rewards are the keys to success. If you are very unsure, take your dog to your vet and ask to be shown how until you are comfortable with trimming.
Puppy Month
