You will need to clip your dog once a month or so. If you here your dog nails making sounds on the floor when they walk, it is time to trim the nails.

Scissor or guillotine clippers are both fine. Generally it is best to use the guillotine dog nail clippers for medium, large and giant dogs. The scissor dog nail clippers are better for small dogs. Ultimately it is about personal preference though. I use the scissor type for both Lucy the Great Dane and Kona the Chocolate Lab and they work fine.

Dog nail clippers are pretty inexpensive. Really for the cost of one trip to have someone else trim your dog's nails you can have your own tools.

It is smart to have a clotting agent too. It is also called styptic powder. We like the Bamboo brand of styptic powder as it works like a charm every time. Dogs nails do not have skin to contract around the wound, so if you cut the quick, it will bleed for a while. The styptic powder will stop it right away with a little pressure.

Let your dog lay in your lap, and take his paw in your left hand. If he doesn't like this, get him used to it with treats and gentle words.

Now slowly and gently start to clip, starting at the end and working back. Use a 45 degree angle, and be prepared to make lots of small clips, rather than 1 big one.

It is much easier to do it this way and you are less likely to cut the quick. Be sure not to go to far - be careful around the 'quick' - the bit of the nail with blood vessels and nerves. If you cut into this he won't like it!

You can actually see the quick in dogs with light colored nails if look closely. It is very hard to see in dogs with dark colored nails.

If you make this mistake, use the styptic powder and a cotton swab with firm pressure for a few seconds.

Always use lots of encouragement and clip nails on a regular basis. It is not difficult to train your dog to assume the position for nail clipping with the right combination of treats and verbal praise.

Check out or Dog Grooming Supplies Section for all of your grooming needs.

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