I need advice on nail trimming...
Like... how often do they need to be trimmed? And... does anyone have any detailed, up-close photos of corgi nails trimmed correctly? I read somewhere that if his nails are clicking on the floor, they are too long (but not sure if I agree with this).
His nails are somewhat long, but... on the clear nails, it appears as if the quick is very close to the end of them, and I'm afraid to even touch the black nails! I really don't want to hurt my baby...
Does anyone have any advice?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on
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Here's the FAQ; I'm sure there are more discussions in the archives.
Concise advise: short cuts often, maybe once weekly. Check off on your calendar, make it a habit. Even properly short nails will click on the floor at least a little. Once you hurt the dog, it's trickier, 'cause it's afraid. Enlist an accomplice to distract the animal. Trim fur that covers the pads; it's slippery on bare floors.
FAQ nail trimming
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Permalink Reply by Chris West on
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This is also something you could call and ask your vet. They should be able to give you a lot of good information over the phone for free.
Here's a website with some good step-by-step information:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_claws.aspx
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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for me I cut a tiny bit off about every 2 or 3 weeks. Franklin has both clear and black nails and the clear are totally easy but the black ones are hard to deal with until you get the hang of it. Have your vet or groomer cut his nails and then look at the tips of them, you can actually see a little bit of the quick when they are cut properly, it is really hard to explain but if you have the nails done by somebody experienced you can take a look yourself after and see what it looks like. You just do a little bit at a time on the black nails until you see that little bit of quick. Also, always have qik stop or flour or cornstarch handy in case you do trim too far to stop the bleeding.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa and Izzie on
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I worked as a groomer for a while. I trim my corgi's nails once a week. But I am also doing what is called jumping back the quicks. You can only go so short depending on where the vein is in the nail. Just be sure to have cornstarch on hand or you can get quick stop from the pet stores. Good luck! and just remember praise praise praise treats after a few toes is good....just keep them happy and interested.
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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on
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There is some really good info here, so I'm just going to add that if you use clippers (over a grinder (Dremel), I'd invest in a nice sharp pair of the guillotine type (hole in blade). The less expensive ones (which I have admittedly purchased) can get dull quickly and crush the dog's nail (bad) or not cut completely through. Black nails scare me, too (I used to have a black dog with all black nails, which were probably never short enough). I never cut her nails - let the vet or my husband do it.
I decided to invest in a Dremel a few months ago at Dewi's breeder's recommendation. This is the one I purchased from Amazon (you will pay much more for this in a store). I use the heaviest grit band.
Both my dogs tolerate the grinding better than the clippers (meaning they will nervously lie still and let me do it versus me needing a second human to restrain them). Black nails are easier for me with a grinder because I have better control (or my hand is less shaky). FYI - Looking at the tip of a black nail, you will see a small white dot in the center of the nail just before you get to the quick. So if you see the white dot, stop cutting.
And as John mentioned, even with appropriately short nails, I still hear a little clicking on hard floors when the dogs are bounding around. If your dog is standing still on a hard surface, the nails are short enough when the tips are not touching the floor.
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The only thing I will let you know is DO NOT buy the nail trimmers where you have to fit the nail in a hole. Those are the worst you can buy. If you have the nail in the clipper and say you don't go all the way thru and the dog jerks back....its not good. buy the ones that are scissor like or use the grinder....NOT THE ONE WITH THE HOLE!
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Permalink Reply by Cindi on
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I've found that with our big clan, it's just important that I pay attention. For the most part, since they are all receiving high-quality food, their nails grow quite quickly. We trim about every 1 1/2 weeks. That keeps them nice and short. The longer they get, the more the quick grows out with the nail and it takes a bit to trim them back to normal. And once the quick grows out, the nail bleeds and hurts when you trim. We use the scissor-type clippers (I'm not fond of the guillotine-type since they squeeze the nail and it can sometimes crack.) and then smooth them with a dremel.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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The quick will grow with the nails and if they are allowed to get long, the quick will still be near the tip. I have this problem with Jack, who is very difficult to dremmel.
What you want to do is take the tip back to almost the quick, and then every 5 days or so do it again. Over time, the quick will slowly recede.
I find that even short Corgi nails click on hard floors. I have seen pictures of properly trimmed nails, and they all look like they would click on a hard surface to me. I saw one picture once with a dog with very short nails, but I have a sneaking suspicion they must have quicked them to get them back so far. I can't be sure, though.
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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Marie O'Bryan on
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forwhen teddy was a pup i taught him the trimmers bring treats and lots of praise nothing harmful. so he lets me trim with no problem. i trim his nails about every three weeks when i see white tips and i make it a habit so its not a surprise for him. he has one black nail and it honestly doesn't grow the same speed as the other clear ones so i file it gently or when he goes in for a check up i have my vet do it.
after i use the nail trimmers i use the pedi paws. to assure him that its not harmful let him smell it then treat. on off i put it by his feet praise and treat. then i turn it on and treat, he smell it when its on i treat. then i start trimming because he is assured its not harmful. the pedi paws is awesome! it smooths so nicely and u only need to file for a few seconds on each foot and u r done but remember, only hold the nail there for 3 seconds, not any longer. wait 3more seconds and continue.
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Permalink Reply by Carrie Ritter on
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I prefer to dremel, as I its easier to shorten without quicking. The great thing about corgis is they love to lay on their backs (well most of them). So I sit on the ground with my dog on his back between my legs and a little propped up against me. I can hold him still that way and keep him from leaving. and with his paws up in the air, its easy to look at the nails when trimming.
I pet and treat to relax them before I start. If you go to the dremel, you have to get them used to it, but if you take it slow, they won't mind it at all. It will take a couple of sessions, mostly getting used to the noise. Go for a high power dremel from the hardware store. The pet ones I have used aren't powerful enough to get through the nail. Those took my 1/2 hr to get the job somewhat done. Now I can do a dog in 5-10 min and you can round the edges which doesn't happen with trimming.
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Permalink Reply by Marion and Vern on
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Lisa and Odie we were afraid of the same thing so we file nails. We have a video of Samantha getting hers done on our page. It took playing with her feet, touching them stroking them. Then doing one or two until she finally got to this point. We are finding out that Bomber does not like being on his back so he lays on his side. About twice a week just a little at a time keeps them down. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Renee Kovacs on
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I used to run a groom shop and worked for a couple vets - I have a couple tips that can make it easier:
1. Use the guillotine type (vs. 'scissors' type) as they are much sharper & stronger. Just like with knives - a dull or lesser-quality nail clipper is going to cause more problems than a sharp & better quality set. I also oil the mechanism to lessen the 'torque' needed to squeeze it.
2. Cut the nails when they've been softened by water - makes a HUGE difference (just like with our own). Right after a bath, or a few minutes out on wet grass, or soak the foot in a pan of water for a minute.
3. Occupy the dog's mind with something ELSE, other than his precious toes. =) I have my dog get up on a patio chair; he's quite agreeable & gets up there himself, but being up on the chair 'worries' him a bit. I sit on the ground, and this puts his feet at my eye level. You could use a table, or have the dog sit on someone else's lap, or have them hold the dog (chest & butt hold, legs dangling) while they're standing up. It's not exactly terrifying ...just a little intimidating & occupies the dog's mind a bit.
4. Cut weekly, and you'll never have to deal with long nails (nor will your dog). My dog's nails do NOT click - if they click on the floor, I trim them. And no, I've NEVER cut into the quick - I've just always kept them trimmed. Dogs weren't 'engineered' to live on hard surfaces - longer nails would've been a benefit only in a natural environment (dirt), but are uncomfortable (all the way to being a health hazard) on hard surfaces like wooden floors, cement, tile, etc.
5. Mostly, they gain their sense of security from you. It's not so much that dogs hate getting their nails trimmed as much as YOU hate doing it, and they know it. It's like saying "Ok, I'm WAY nervous about this, but just give me the benefit of your doubt here." Um ...boy, tough request to make! If you're nervous, you can't 'lie' about it - help YOURSELF by doing just one foot a day, and do it every week - or heck, every DAY until you gain the confidence needed to instill the security your dog wants to have with you. =)
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