One of the many downsides of the current quarantine is we don’t get to bring our dogs to the groomers as much as we need and want to. There are tasks that only groomers can do but there are some that we could definitely do on our own. Clipping our dog’s nails, however intense and tough it may seem, is one thing that we as dog owners could actually do on our own.
There’s a TikTok video of a lady clipping her dog’s nails using the peanut butter trick but vets advise owners to not imitate it as it can do more harm than good. Doing the trick can get a dog way excited and cause unwanted clipping accidents. Your dog might even get too excited, it may even end up biting your face. So please do refrain from doing it.
You could clip your dog’s nails the old-fashioned way! To help you with that, here are vet-approved tips to make the challenging task easier for you and your dog:
1. Use the right clipper – it’s advisable to avail of a specialized dog clipper because the regular one that you use for yourself has a flatter curve that can easily hurt your dog when its nails are too thick. However, regular nail clippers are best for puppies.
2. Take it slow – taking is slow will help you avoid clipping your dog’s quick. Your dog’s quick is that part of his nail that has blood vessels and nerves. If you rush into it, you may harm your dog as you may clip it’s quick. This is especially trickier when your dog has black claws.
3. Have their favorite treats and toys nearby – this makes the dog feel happy and less scared.
4. Do it while surrounded with two people that your dog is familiar and comfortable with – this makes your dog feel safe and secured. This gives your dog the reassuring feeling that everything is alright and that it could relax.
5. Check out online resources – there are loads of tutorial videos on YouTube with tips and reliable tricks that you can apply. All kinds of tutorials are available for different kinds of needs. You can even find one that illustrates how to deal with black dog nails. Do explore and enjoy researching!