Just as we never let our nails grow into unsightly talons, the same should be said of our pets especially dogs. Many of us may not know the importance of trimming our dogs nails until we've been scratched by them enough times to realize that they've grown. Nails that have been left disregarded for a long time may eventually break and be very painful for your dog while overgrown nails make your dog's walk unnatural. This may lead to excessive pain or even deformity due to the unnatural positioning of the dog's foot.

The first step will be to gather all the tools and essentials you'll need. You'll obviously need nails clippers designed for dogs as your normal nail cutter will not work on your pet's nails. There are two styles of toenail clippers and these are guillotine and scissors. Whichever style chosen the clippers need to be sharp as this makes your work easier and quicker.

The next step is to soothe your dog and calm him. Have some treats for him nearby and play with him a bit until he relaxes. Once you've gotten him in the mood, take one of his paws and clip it. Begin with small clips on the edges and work your way little by little. Stop once you see a pink part. This is known as the quick and is filled with blood vessels and contains nerves so cutting it haphazardly will cause your dog to bleed excessively and experience a lot of pain. File the nails once you've stopped just short of the quick so as to avoid splitting. Filling the nails is important as it reduces the damage formed on carpets, sofas, other furniture and floors.

A clipped toenail will be expected to bleed a bit, but use styptic powder to stem the flow and do not let your dog see this as it may frighten him and you will be required to go through the process of calming him until he gets used to the process again. The bleeding is expected to go on for about five minutes; however, if the bleeding does not stop it may be time to consult a vet as your dog might have a serious condition like hemophilia. Extra care is needed when clipping dark nails as you do not know where the quick is. Once you've gotten through your first trim, make it a regular habit and your dog will soon get used to it too.

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