Does The Sound Of Clicking Mean It's Time To Trim A Dog's Nails?

[@ChristineB9046]

Thank you for this info! This is very helpful!

[@crapagogo]

I'm so glad you explained this because it was driving me crazy, the clicking just 2 to 3 days after using the Dremel. Both my dogs, and I have to do them every 5 to 7 days as it is, and feeling like a bad owner. The nails aren't super short as they need something for hiking, but they always have clearance from the floor. So I guess we're good. What's interesting is that when we adopted the second dog, her nails were silent for several weeks. I know the shelter bathed her and I guess she got a very big nail trim as well. Your dog is adorable btw!

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Thanks! Yeah there are so many factors that affect whether the nails click. Including foot shape and bone structure, so different dogs may have a longer “silent” period. I can tell from your comment that you are NOT a bad dog owner, lol! But we all feel that way from time to time. 🐶💕

[@paigeb9993]

I am *so glad* that you added the part about why the sound seems softer right after using the Dremel, but then the clicking seems to be louder within a couple of days after Dremeling. I noticed the same trend, and I wondered if a) I imagined the return-to-loud clicking, or b) my dog’s nails just grew ridiculously quickly, and/or c) I had done everything wrong and hadn’t ground off enough-despite having to use the styptic a couple of times on my poor pup! Thank you for all of your great videos, Colleen. Maybe you’re a mind-reader: every question that pops into my head gets answered somewhere in your videos. You manage to make videos with a helpful level of detail while keeping the message concise. Thank you, thank you!

[@GoodDogGrooming]

What a compliment! Thank you! Yep, I have confirmed even after doing this video, that the nails are clicking again within 3 days!

[@Niviata]

Yes! I can tell my dogs nails sound different after I dremmel them. Nail trimming clients always comment on the sound and how it's "time" simply because of the noise. I try to let them know the nails will definitely sound better after trimming! But not completely silent.

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Yes! Not completely silent indeed. They’re dogs; they have NO stealth. 😆

[@EW-ed6kd]

Thanks for this! I always get flack from my mom and sister for my dog’s nails clicking. I guess some people were taught that any click = time for a cut. But they’re already short! They don’t touch the ground and I keep them trimmed. But they click a lot on hardwood. I’ve also noticed that some dogs (like my Dalmatian) make a clicking sound when the two center nails get squished into each other. Whereas my mother’s dog (Newfie) has longer nails but they’re silent because the fur between her toes and the floor.

[@imhere626]

I dermal my dogs nails and she still clicks, her nails are as short as I can get them but my other dogs don’t click. It drives me nuts because I’m a perfectionist, I think it’s because she’s old and drags her paws.

[@barbroberts3153]

This is a great video session. I have gone to dremel-use only because my dog had so many bad experiences with regular clipping. Her nails were long, so receding the quick has been a work in progress and takes time (also the other Good Dog Grooming videos have been helpful!). However, now they are short enough to be within normal limits and there still is some clicking sound, but I can tell the difference after a dremel and just don't get all stressed out when the nails aren't completely silent on the hardwood floors.

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Yes exactly! Clicking doesn’t mean “time to stress” LOL! 🐾

[@Laura_spellers]

I have to use a sandpaper coz she s terrified of the dremmel ans nail clippers

[@baklash1762]

Yes, when her nails were clicking they were longer. After a few uses of a Dremel they were shorter and definitely quieter. However, I will occasionally hear some clicking. That may be a difference in what kind of hard surface she walks on.

[@nil1141]

just a query on grinding dog nails, i have read somewhere that grinding on a particular nail shouldn't be done for more than 10secs, as they might get pain. Can u pls give ur thoughts on this. Thanks

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Hmm 10 seconds sounds like a fair rule of thumb. People worry that the bit will head up due to the friction. I have never had an issue with a dog being “hurt” by the heat. Some people are very cautious and do only light taps with the dremel at a time… I grind away. But I get flack for it. I don’t have a definitive answer other than I’ve never experienced an issue from how I grind the nails.