From an IDCR guest author:
During my years of dog grooming in Pepperell MA, I’ve had many customers who’d say they’d love to be able to cut their dogs’ nails themselves. They’re hesitant to try, though, for fear of hurting their dog, or because their dog is too difficult to hold still. I thought that I’d try to give a simple explanation of how to cut your dog’s nails safely and with control.
You’ll need, at the least, a pair of properly-sized nail clipper and a leash and collar that you can fasten to a secure place (ideally, near a wall or a large piece of furniture like a couch), and maybe some quick-stop powder in case there’s any bleeding. If your dog gets unusually disagreeable, you can also invest in a muzzle. These are all cheap items you can find at any local pet-supply store.
You’re going to use the wall or couch or whatever as a barrier to keep your pet stationary while you cutting nails. The idea is that you use your own body to secure your dog against the wall, giving them no wiggle-room for evasive maneuvers.
I want you to keep the clippers in your outside hand and turn your hips against your dog’s ribs so that you’re both facing the same direction. Then grab the dog’s outside foot with your free (inside) hand. You should be pressing the length of your arm along the length of the dog’s foreleg to keep it stationary while maintaining a good grip on the foot. Leverage!
Now find the nails with you foot-holding hand using your only thumb and forefinger. You can do this! Be sure to pull all the fur back away from the nails so you have a clear view.
Wiggle you index-finger under the nail. You should be able to feel a sharp V-shaped edge. That V is your safety-margin. If the nails are all black, that V will be the only guidance you’ll have. Don’t cut past that point! You’ll more than likely cut the quick, giving your dog a painful sting. If your dog’s nails are clear, you’ll have an easier time recognizing the pink where the quick starts. Either way, to prevent an error, place a knuckle of your index-finger (the paw-holding hand) against the nail right before the end of the V, and keep it tight as a marker. This way the nail clippers won’t slide past that point when you make the cut. Now, do this again for every nail.
Congratulations! You’ve done the first foot! Each of the other feet will be a similar process. Each time, your first goal is to get into a comfortable position where your body gently pins your dog to the wall while your hand grips the foot and your arm acts as control and leverage to keep the whole dog steady.
For the inside front foot, reach over the shoulder with your free hand. You might need to stand, with both knees securing the dog at the ribs.
For the rear outside leg, hook your arm between and under the rear legs. Grasp the paw, use your arm (underneath) and your shoulder/chest (from the outside) to hold the dog upright and steady.
The inside rear leg is always the toughest. Here again, you might want to stand with knees against the dog, and gently pull the paw upwards. To keep the dog steady here, you’ll press the elbow of your nail-clipping arm against the dog from the side opposite your knees. Alternatively, you could reach under the dog to grasp the foot, and use your inside elbow to push upwards to help support the dog.
With some practice you’ll have these moves and techniques mastered easily!
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