Nail Clipping: More than a Pawdicure

CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK!

For those of us with hardwood or tile floors in the home, it's a familiar sound. Once we can hear this sound it's time for every dog's least favourite thing... Having their nails clipped.

Now, let's be honest.  Many dogs (including both of mine) HATE having their nails clipped. They'll fuss, whine, pull their paws away and occasionally use their teeth to protest as well!  But no matter how much your pup may disagree, keeping your dog's nails short is an important part of a regular grooming routine. Longer nails over time can negatively affect your dog's gait and damage bone structure in the feet. In extreme cases, nails can grow long enough to curl back around into the pads of the feet.  

Needless to say, both of these possibilities are extremely painful but can be easily avoided by regular clipping. Depending on how often your dog walks or runs on pavement (which wears down the nail naturally), their nails should be addressed either via clipping or filing every 4-6 weeks.

For the DIY'ers

Trimming your dog's nails from home is also an excellent option.  Set yourself up for success by ensuring you have the right tools.  

The most important thing you'll need is a good pair of nail clippers. There are a few different styles to choose from, but I recommend and use scissor style clippers.  This style of clipper gives you the most leverage and control. A photo of the clippers we sell in our salon is shown below.  These sturdy, stainless steel clippers are durable and have rubber coated handles for easy gripping.

The other tool you'll need in your nail trimming arsenal is styptic powder. 

Kwik Stop brand styptic powder

Styptic powder is an anesthetic as well as a cauterizing agent designed to stop bleeding on contact. Bleeding can occur when you accidentally cut the nail too short and clip the nail's quick.  

A diagram of various nail lengths and proper clipping length 

Some websites and blogs will suggest that baking powder or flour is a suitable alternative, but in my experience there is no substitute for the real thing.  Most containers cost under $10 and will last for years if you're only doing your own dog's nails at home (and you're careful!)

Once you've got the tools, you're ready to start clipping!  Check out this video for step-by-step instructions.

The Easy Answer

The easiest way to avoid the heartache and frustration of attempting to clip your own dog's nails at home is to take them to the groomer on a regular basis. Sometimes, the most wiggly of dogs who just won't let their owners do them often are just fine when they're on a groomer's table.

Don't feel badly if you can't clip your dog's nails.  You're not alone!

Many dog groomers offer nail clipping as a walk-in service and can often do them while you wait for a reasonable price.

Nail clipping teamwork at The Friendly Groomer

The Last Resort

Some dogs absolutely REFUSE to allow their nails to be trimmed by their owner, or by a groomer. The last resort should never be to leave nails to grow un-clipped.  Unfortunately, no matter how upset or aggressive a dog may become, it still must be done.  In these cases, I recommend taking your dog to the vet.  Vets can ensure both your dog and the person attempting to trim their nails remain safe.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your dog's nails trimmed is more than just a luxurious pawdicure. Whether you decide to bring them to a groomer, a vet or even do it yourself, it's an important part of keeping your dog at their best!

 
-Peter

How to Choose a Dog Groomer

There are a whole lot of things to consider when selecting the right groomer for you and your pet.  Some questions are obvious (do you like the way your dog looks afterwards?) and some less obvious (is your groomer insured?).  

Here’s what to look for…

Purpose of Groom – Family Pet or Show Dog?

There are two basic forms of grooming; pet grooming and show grooming.  It is important to note that all groomers should be able to complete pet grooms – grooms that are primarily done for ease of maintenance - while only highly skilled and specifically trained groomers are competent in show grooms – which are grooms that conform to the breed standard.  A good show groomer will charge you more for their time (rightly so) and may be difficult to find.  A good way to locate a show groomer is by contacting local breeders for a referral. 

Salon Setup

One thing to take note of is your groomer's salon setup.

Where will your dog spend its down time?

Many groomers book several dogs in the same time slot in order to groom more dogs in one day and to allow time for breaks for your dog.  These “breaks” can become highly stressful on your dog if the crates are located in isolated, potentially noisy areas. For example, I’ve worked in a salon where the crates were located in the same place where multiple dogs were being bathed and dried at once.  It was an extremely loud and stressful area of the salon, even for the groomers, and highly unsuitable for nervous dogs.

Another consideration is whether or not your groomer can easily monitor your dog. When dogs are crated out of sight from customers, they are also away from the groomer’s line of vision. This prevents the groomer from monitoring your dog for signs of stress.

Products

Unlike human grade products, products used on dogs are not required to include a list of ingredients.  If your dog has sensitive skin or skin conditions, be sure to ask your groomer about the products they use so you can ensure that they are suitable to your dog's needs. 

Also, keep in mind, that many groomers do not use tearless shampoo on your dog's head and face.  It seems like a no-brainer that they would, but unfortunately it's not so.  I personally feel it’s more humane for groomers to only use tearless shampoos around your dog’s eyes.

Do you have a Bad Dog?

Some dogs HATE being groomed. They scratch, fuss, bite, and basically do anything they can to prevent the groomer from doing their work.  Many groomers will simply refuse to groom difficult dogs because it slows them down and keeps them from grooming as many dogs as possible in one day. Switching from groomer to groomer will only make the situation worse and increase your dog’s stress levels - familiarity is important for many dogs. If your dog is terrible at the groomer’s it is imperative that you find a groomer that is willing to take on  this challenge and work with your dog to improve over time.

What happens when things go wrong?

While groomers don’t like to talk about it, sometimes things do go wrong. Grooming is often more about animal handling than artistry, and animals can be unpredictable.  Combine their unpredictability with sharp scissors, and it’s clear why occasional injuries do happen.

One of the most important things to ask your groomer PRIOR to bringing your dog to them is what happens if your dog is injured?  Will you be responsible to pay for the groom? What about the vet bills?

As a side note, if your dog is ever injured in any way your groomer should inform you.  I have many customers who switched to me from other groomers because they were left to find an injury on their own.  Full disclosure in case of injury is 100% necessary as it allows the owner to monitor the injury and seek veterinary attention if necessary.

Insurance

This point goes along with the one above, but it’s important enough that I wanted to single it out.  I highly recommend only taking your dog to a groomer who has professional liability insurance SPECIFICALLY designed for groomers. For example, I have a very comprehensive policy which provides me coverage if your dog is injured or even lost while in my care.

Referrals

Unfortunately, the grooming industry in Ontario is totally unregulated. This means that formal training isn’t required to become a groomer, and there isn’t a governing body preventing “bad” groomers from continuing to groom.  Be leery of online reviews (both good and bad) and try to get references from someone that you know and trust.

Another option is to get in touch with a local rescue group for a recommendation. Rescue volunteers typically have a lot of contacts in the pet services industry and can send you somewhere reputable.

What does the groomer ask YOU?

When you bring your dog in for their first appointment with a groomer take note of what the groomer asks you about your dog.

A responsible groomer will take time to ensure the dog is up to date on vaccines, ask about your dog’s medical history, behavioural issues, for emergency contact numbers and for your dog’s veterinary information.

Communication

Your groomer should be someone who you can easily communicate with.  While we all get busy, you want to know that your groomer will take the time to learn about your grooming preferences and about your dog's unique needs.  Good communication will help to quickly develop trust between you, the groomer and your dog.

-Peter