Clipping Black Dog Nails (with Grinding) - Gina's Grooming

Have you thought of clipping your dog's black nails but were too afraid to try? Come watch a safe way to clip and grind black dog nails while learning about the basic anatomy of a nail. In this video we will also be going over very important safety measures that you should take before attempting to clip your dog's nails. Have courage, you can do this!
- Oster Nail Grinder (similar to the one shown but newer model): amzn.to/3C4LKil
- New Generation Nail Grinder and Clipper Kit (I use a similar model all the time and actually prefer it to my pro grinder): amzn.to/3C4LKil
- Styptic Powder (Kwik Stop): amzn.to/3GkdRN3
- Nail/Claw Clipper that's been tested and around for a long time (the Miller Forge Doggy Man): amzn.to/3GkdRN3
- Safety glasses (no magnification: amzn.to/3YNoIWV
- Reading glasses (choose the right magnification for you!): amzn.to/3Vvf745
All the links above are to trusted affiliate partners that may pay us a commission if you buy off our link - so thank you so much for your support! We hope we saved you some time and pointed you in the right direction!
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#DogCare #DogGrooming #BlackDogNails #DogNailTrim #DogGroomingTips

[@dianesmith6745]

I’m a groomer and the trick I learned is to use a piece of netting that is around garlic to slip over dogs nails to keep the hair away. The toenail goes into the mesh and pulls the hair away from the nail while you are working on them.

[@GinasGrooming]

That sounds like a great technique! Thanks for your input!

[@Sandy-bl4ly]

I concur; that's a clever trick. Thanks for sharing it!

[@esmeraldamansky7130]

Thank you good job .

[@ameehleib17]

His leash seems kinda short for him to even sit!

[@fatimamanar6231]

Also me for my dog thats why now iam too much scared

[@marys2344]

Thanks for the idea of spraying paw hair to get it out of the way. What a great idea.

[@GinasGrooming]

Thanks for the feedback and hope it helps! 🙏💕

[@lesahenderson7365]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you! Your instructions are excellent. Additionally, your relaxed voice has kept me calm! Clipping my puppy’s nails has had me stressed. Primarily because I don’t know how. However, I’m feeling much more confident. Thank you, again!!!

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Lesa, yay, I am so happy to hear that... and I love that you are working with your pup! It really does help bond you closer together. Good luck and thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏😍

[@GloryDay225]

I've been watching tons of nail clipping videos to prepare myself for a job that involves doing nails, and it's been super frustrating how many videos on youtube were filmed 5-10 years ago with terrible camera work and quality where you can't see close up on the nail whatsoever, which I find extremely unhelpful. So far this is the best video I've found where you can actually see what's happening. Thank you!

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you so much, Catherine! This video gave me more insight into what pet lovers really want to know, so we will be enhancing our nail tutorials. Glad this helped and good luck!

[@samueldoutt3504]

Best video I have seen on this topic very informative, I do my own grooming.

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you, glad it was helpful! 🙏

[@loraoliver1516]

Thank you showing and sharing the correct position of clipper when trimming and how to avoid the quick on black nails. All my dogs have had black nails they are a challenge. It’s like trimming blind and I hate when I accidentally hit the quick. Wetting the hair is a great tip!

[@IONIESKYE]

Gina, u are a bit more than what I call amazing! Fantastic Result! U are 4 me the best Groomer I've seen on KZbin. U have great skill & u care, which gives Value. Much appreciation

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you so very much, @IONIESKYE! 🙏 I am deeply honored by your kind words and complement. 💕 Welcome to the channel, and I hope this, and other videos help you work with your fur baby! Thanks again for joining and for your incredible kindness - it is greatly appreciated! 🌹

[@IONIESKYE]

@@GinasGrooming Thanku Gina Yours in gratitude.

[@smallvillefarm687]

Great video! I use magnifying glasses like you but add a bright light behind nail so I can see through to the quick better. Nice trick with water, I’m gonna try that to keep hair away from spinning tool. I Dremel my dogs nails right up close then round off.

[@GinasGrooming]

Thanks for your feedback and for sharing! Appreciate your time and watching the channel! 🙏😊

[@tulipsontheorgan]

Me, too. I use light on my cell phone….just so I can see through the nail. And lots of treats and physical reward.

[@muddywaters538]

Thank you for the close up, it was a good view to see exactly how you clip

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Marigold, so glad the video and closeups helped! Appreciate your support! 🙏

[@klengetti]

Thank you, Gina! Very helpful instruction and great tips!

[@GinasGrooming]

Thanks for your great feedback! 😍

[@rubiferrer2419]

I absolutely adored the model 🐶❤

[@GinasGrooming]

Me too! This particular "model" sleeps on my head most nights. 😂 Thanks so much for watching!

[@EshockT]

His white chest is really cute.

[@freedomhigh2160]

Thanks Gina, Great technique, the more we know when doing this, the better ! The happier and healthier the dog as well 🙂

[@GinasGrooming]

So true! Thanks for your kind comment and for joining the conversation! 😍

[@erickaarredondo3158]

Thank you Gina 😘

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you for watching, @Ericka arredondo! 😍

[@fatimamanar6231]

So cute ❤

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you, Fatima! This little guy is one of my own (and he hates his nails clipped, so I had to demonstrate on him! 😅). Thank u for your comment, I will let Silaf know! 😆

[@lynnchandler5845]

Loved the grammar lesson! You are very able to verbally describe what you’re saying and give a good narrative. That is really helpful because you are giving tons of verbal information along with the visual example.

[@GinasGrooming]

Wow, thank you, Lynn! Really appreciate the feedback! 🙏😊

[@thebirdartistscottage]

Terrific video, Gina! I’m so glad I found your channel. I’ve worked with my puppy, Finch, on getting him accustomed to the grinder and he’s letting me grind his nails without stress but I really didn’t know what I was aiming for in terms of shape and length! Thanks so much for showing me what to do to keep his nails in good shape. 🐾

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi @The Bird Artist's Cottage, I am so happy that your little Finch is doing great with his nail grinding and that our video helped! Thank you so much for your kind comment! (P.S. You have a lovely channel and are a wonderful artist, so I subscribed!) Appreciate you joining the channel! 🙏🐶❤

[@thebirdartistscottage]

@@GinasGrooming Thanks so much for your kind words and for subscribing! You’ll see Finch in some of my videos. 🐕‍🦺 I subscribed to yours as well. 🥰

[@jacobthelion]

Great job on this Gina. Thank you for actually showing us the work being done.

[@GinasGrooming]

Thanks for the awesome feedback, Jake! 🙏😊

[@lurcos4144]

Great work

[@GinasGrooming]

Thanks so much, @Lurcos! 🙏💕

[@patsydf]

The dog is adorable, I want it.

[@GinasGrooming]

😂 He is a character, for sure! I'll let him know he has an admirer - that will make his day. 😍 Thanks so much for watching!

[@MC-fw5vt]

Great video, thank you. Sweet cute dog and beautiful grooming area !

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you for your kind comment! 🙏 😊

[@MC-fw5vt]

@@GinasGrooming It's well deserved! Loved the vid !!! I have a puppy who needs his black nails trimmed, and I love the idea of getting magnifying glasses to help see the nail amongst all that fur. The water spray bottle idea is ingeneous as well! Thank you !

[@fredpalazzo8835]

Thank you. Fred

[@GinasGrooming]

Glad to be of service! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@amylillen5193]

Excellent video. I'm still working on educating myself before I attempt this maintenance on our three dogs. The close up shots, reading glasses, clipping small amounts off and letting them relax before starting were great tips. It's crazy how scary this task is to me since I don't want traumatize my girls! Thank you!

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Amy! Well, you are in good company... most everyone is afraid of clipping their dog's nails/claws, and that's because of a kind heart. 💕 In fact, at the last nail trim of every working day, I can admit to breathing a little sigh of relief - even as a pro. But you are doing the right thing: researching, studying, understanding the anatomy of a nail. With that in your pocket, you can be confident that you're just taking off the dead stuff that not only will your pups not feel at all, but they'll be able to use their amazing paws so much better! (Plus, believe it or not, it becomes a strong bonding experience.) So glad you joined and commented, thanks and good luck! 😊

[@angelo_giachetti]

It takes months maybe years. You must manipulate their response to the tool. I have my always pissed off Chiweenee thinking nail trimming is time to eat snacks...I bribe him. He takes bribes.

[@55Barbb]

Thank you for posting, very professional and knowledgeable. My chihuahua Aria is nervous from having nails clipped not that often when at the Vet.

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you for your kind comment! And I'm not surprised, some of the sweetest Chihuahuas are commonly nervous for nails, so your little Aria is in good company! I'm glad she's getting them done at the vet - I'm sure they are helping to keep them short and healthy. Thanks for watching! 🙏😍

[@rickosman5100]

Today is the first I ever trimmed my dogs nails, usually the vet does it. However your video and instructions were excellent and I had no problem at all. She would pull away and I'd give her a break, then go back to trimming. Never used a dremel before that will be interesting for my girl. Thanks and have a great day.😊

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi @rickosman5100, so glad to hear you and your pup had a good nail trimming experience! Thank you so much for your kind feedback! 😊

[@toni4787]

Very good video! Thank you 1/4/23

[@GinasGrooming]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching! 😊

[@GabbyAbby]

Thank you so much! I’ve been afraid to cut my 13 y old dogs black claws because I’m afraid to hurt her but I was able to do it safely after this video! The thorough explanations along with the diagrams helped me SO MUCH! Question: do the grinders burn or get hot to the dog? I’m going to get one (hand filed) but am afraid to hurt her 😢❤

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Abby! So happy that the video helped! 🙏💕 In regards to a grinder or a file getting hot, since you're filing dead claw/nail, your pup should not feel anything at all, so no worries! If you grind too close to the quick and the vein is exposed (sorry, terrible imagery), then that's when there would be a concern. Hope that helps and thanks for watching! 😍

[@Cricketchirps39]

Corn starch can work to stop bleeding from the quick too if need be!

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Carol, thanks for the comment! Yes, I've never had to use cornstarch, but have heard the same from other people when in a pinch! Appreciate you joining the conversation! 😊

[@Basai7]

Cinnamon will work too.

[@margaretmartinez5324]

Àm glàd to know the water trick because the first time I try grinding my dog's nail the hair got caught and my heart drop I had to cut a little of his hair and got it off. Àm still scare to cut the quick so i think I cut to little of the nails. I just started doing it my self cause he don't like going to the groomer and I can't see what they doing to him,

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Margaret! Oh, I'm glad the water trick helps... it is horrible when the hair gets caught! Congratulations on learning to do this yourself - the more you do it, the more you'll become confident. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@mandisutherland5825]

very helpful thank you, can you grind and not cut

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Mandi, glad the video helped! Sometimes if the nails are not too long, you can get away with grinding only. But for very long nails, it's better to clip off the excess and then grind. Good luck and thanks for watching! 😊

[@patriotsongs]

Spider webs (yes, we all have them somewhere) are also great for stopping bleeding.

[@GinasGrooming]

Oh wow, I never knew, but it makes sense! Maybe I'll do a Halloween episode on that! 😂 Thanks for the comment!

[@steveandsheilalauder8261]

We have mini long haired dauschunds - their nails are black and the quick is hard to see. Are grinders better than clippers better for them/me? Are the safety gaurds on grinders of any use? I never see pro's use them.

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Steve and Sheila! With Doxies (as I'm sure you know!), their nails typically curl more than other breeds if left too long, so you are a wonderful pet parent for staying on top of it! ❤️ You can get away with grinding only, but only if u start with a nice cut (from a vet tech or good groomer), and then you can maintain those nails once a week with a grinder. Yes, groomers don't usually use guards, mainly because ideally your grinder head can be used to get into some hard spots, especially those bottom edges of curvy nails. But no cover increases the risk of getting the fur caught (and that is just terrible), so keeping that fur damp and away is crucial. I hope that answers your question! We so appreciate your interest, and good luck with your pups! 🐶💕🐶

[@SilverShadow2LWB]

Thank you for the nice video. Even though you had a nice diagram of the quick, you did not tell us how to identify the quick in the actual nail in order to know how short to trim the nail. You have us trimming blind.

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi! The diagram is designed to show that the quick usually ends at the curve of the nail. So look for that and don't cut before the curve... cut after and then file the edges. Hope that clarifies!

[@doloressalomon5732]

what brand grinder is that?

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Dolores! I'm using an Oster grinder, which is great for professional use. If you're just looking for a nice pet nail grinder, I have been impressed with some of the newer models coming out (very quiet, safe, and effective - plus super cheap!). I bought the HIRALIY dog nail grinder on Amazon about 6 months ago and have been surprised how well it works (esp for around $12). Thanks for watching and good luck grinding your pet's nails! 😊

[@edwardwilley3404]

This is a good video and thanks for the tip on wetting the hair on the paw. However, the groomer shows a guillotine type cutter at 1:27 (which she doesn't use) and the cutting blade is installed upside down. This could split or shatter a nail. Hope she would notice that before using it.

[@GinasGrooming]

Lol, thanks for the comment, Edward, and good eye! I brought out the guillotine just to quickly discuss, and the blade (not technically upside down but flipped around) got stuck. So that's what we shot, never thinking someone would be so keen! But fair enough, touchée, sir, and your point is 100% valid. Thanks 4 watching! 🙏😁

[@edwardwilley3404]

Well, it means someone has taken it apart for cleaning or sharpening, so that's good. I sharpen mine so I pay attention to how it goes back together. For the guillotine to cut correctly the blade must slide tight to the fixed blade so no using cheap knockoffs. Cheers!

[@GinasGrooming]

@@edwardwilley3404 Well now I have to do a proper guillotine demo, lol! With the blade in the right direction! 😅 I appreciate your candor and knowledge!

[@edwardwilley3404]

@@GinasGrooming I'll be waiting for it! Thanks for the good info. Cheers.

[@GinasGrooming]

Thanks, Edward! We released a video showing how to replace a blade...the right way! Thanks for giving us proper focus! kzbin.infoUICBBwHNXP4

[@larrylemay-zi4td]

How often should I cut my dogs nails?

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Larry! It really depends on activity, breed, genetics, gait... but most pups do fine with a solid cut and file 1ce a month. That being said, my Poodle Rosie (and other dogs I've worked with) needed a trim less often, while others (most dogs) need a trim on a regular basis. Hope this helps and thanks for your question!

[@mayonkasymmetry8852]

As a bather/assistant I agree with the glasses, idk how many times a nail has almost hit a groomer's eye💀

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Jolie, I know, right? It's like playing russian roulette with little jagged pieces of dog nails! 😆 Thanks for watching!

[@LoveAmerica33]

PLEASE use laser lrd light to see vein to avoid hurting dogs.

[@GinasGrooming]

Thanks for your input! Yes, anything that helps to avoid hurting dogs while clipping nails (led lights, magnification, quick detectors) is great! Most pros in the field (vet techs/groomers) are able to clip nails safely by knowing the anatomy of the nail - but Groomers cut an average of 25,000 individual nails a year! So you get kind of good at it. Thanks for joining and for watching! 😊

[@katzbac]

i was clipping my dogs nails (hes fussy so i was doing it at a weird angle) and it flew and hit my glasses! not safety glasses either

[@GinasGrooming]

Oh wow, close call! Glad you had your glasses on! I've seen a few colleagues get a scratched cornea from the same thing (while not wearing eye protection), and the reports are that it is super painful! So yay, safety wins, every time! 😁 Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@harmienfilart5382]

My dog like me too vijl HIS nails

[@GinasGrooming]

Oh, that's wonderful that your dog likes his nails filed! 😊

[@Marla.22]

I had mines dew claws removed, they are useless

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Marla, yes, a lot of people have them removed. Prob about 40/60 in my area. Thanks for watching! 😊

[@dogsareawomansbestfriend]

It's hard to trim a dewclaw on a tiny Chihuahua!

[@GinasGrooming]

Oh, I so get it! Sometimes it helps to use teensie nail clippers, but it is definitely a challenge! My best advice is to keep up with it so it doesn't curl around, and if your ChiChi is short-haired, u can file or grind. Good luck and thanks for watching! 😍

[@suevelez3309]

Don’t know what or how I’m going to do this,my dog is less than 2 yrs. Old,I rescued him about 6 mo. Ago and he’s way to Hyper to let me do this…

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Sue, first, congratulations on your new rescue! If he is nervous and wiggly, I would definitely get a professional groomer or vet tech to clip his nails until he gets comfortable with the process (you do not want to cut him too short and then have him remember the experience!). And on your end at home, you can start training him to get used to having his paws touched by picking up a paw, gently handling it, and then rewarding him with a treat or love. In time, the trust should build. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@lotuspetal473]

Hello:)! I like your tutorial . Do you have any video where you are cutting Boston terrier nails? Thank you very much:) Subscribe:)

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi, thanks for your feedback! I love Boston Terriers, but we don't have a video with that breed yet. However, if you send me a pic of your pup's paws and nails, I can advise you of the proper "game plan" for his/her particular nail trim ([e-mail]). Would be happy to help! Thanks for joining! 💕

[@baklash1762]

I have a Cairn Terrier with long hair on her feet. I will have to learn how to trim that first I guess. Is the solid type of grinding drum more aggressive than a sanding sleeve?

[@crissalonga1614]

I want to book my dog to you Gina for gromming but I don’t know you mobile to book my doo

[@GinasGrooming]

Hi Cris, nice to meet you! I am now a private groomer, so I stopped taking new clients a few years back, sorry! Where are you located? I may be able to at least point you in a good direction. Thanks!

[@mothurston6400]

Thank you I have three Rottweilers and my biggest one diesel is absolutely terrified but he is limping and I need to get his nails shorter so he doesn’t hurt. So thank you for the tips. I will definitely try these hacks for keeping him calmer. He is a little bigger than me, though he outweighs me by 20 pounds lol thanks for sharing. I sure appreciate it!🫠🥰

[@GinasGrooming]

Oh, Mo, I had a Rottie (mix, but 120 lbs, and I miss him), so I know what you are going through! They can be such gentle giants...and babies, also! Especially for their nails. But Diesel has you, and just the fact that you are out there, researching and learning, I'm certain you will get through it together. With a pup that size, I would buddy up - not necessarily for a "hold", but for an extra set of hands for belly rubs and treats. And err on the side of clipping longer, and then grinding down a bit. Any shortening of the nail is progress, so don't "go for the gold" day one. My two cents, lol! Good luck, so happy to be of service! 🙏

[@HARUHARU0314]

Thank you for the video. It’s the most helpful video to me. 🤍🤍

[@GinasGrooming]

Thank you so much for watching! Very happy that it was helpful! 🙏💕