How Important is Cutting Your Dog's Nails Really?

This video is a companion for an article on my blog at wp.me/pyy8f-2kc
Please take a second and share with us your learning “gem” or “ah ha” from this video, myself and my team LOVE to read your comments! P.S…Subscribe to learn more about how you can change your relationship with your dog through GAME based dog training!
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Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a B.Sc. in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a pre-eminent canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most consistently successful dog agility competitors of the last two decades. This success turned Susan into one of the most popular presenters in training circles world wide.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker today, Susan is recognized as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing the way dogs are currently trained.
Susan’s philosophy is simple, game based/choice based dog training creates an environment where “work” turns into “play” for both you and your dog.
Susan’s online dog training classrooms and memberships have now helped thousands of dog lovers reach their goals while having the best relationship possible with their dogs.
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[@pi_beta7306]

This video was/is viral in sport dog people but it needs to go viral for pet owners that see their old dog limping or having trouble getting up/around and don't realize what is really going on...

[@tiffanyfrehleyyeshuaismy0153]

… Tom Davis sent me. 🤗 Wonderful video on nails. 🐶 Thank you.

[@jwurster35]

this video just changed my life. this is the explanation of how dog nails "work" that I've been searching for.

[@kungfukitten90]

I've been grooming for years, and I completely agree. I quickly learned this side/side/top method in my first year. One HUGE thing that I've noticed, it's minimal, but a benefit none the less, is I quick FAR less nails than the other groomers in my shop. You're not guessing and taking off a huge chunk at a time - you're taking off bits until you know you can't take off anymore. I've seen so many dogs come into to have their nails done who are very obviously IN PAIN from over grown nails.

[@lisab2157]

the only caution about dremmel tool is to be careful not to generate too much heat. sanding creates heat and can hurt the dog. take many quick passes and be sure to give a chance to cool.

[@loisdelaluna]

You are correct that heat is generated. I use a Dremmel and have found a few points to be crucial. 1) Let the tool do the job - do not apply too much pressure. 2) Spend only 3 seconds per nail. I keep the tool one each nail for three seconds and move around to each nail on the front feet and to those on the hind feet and I repeat as many times as needed. 3) Be certain to use the low setting.

[@pi_beta7306]

Lois Moon de Padilla I do use clippers on SUPER long nails

[@christinetrujillo7974]

The dremmel works well on black nails. Do the underside of the nail first and then you can see where the quick is.

[@brennanixon9071]

This is such good info to learn that cutting close to the quick but not cutting it will shorting nails and help with their posture! Never knew that

[@dr.pippenrose]

What a wonderful video demo and explanation of the importance of proper nail care for dogs! I recommend this video and info to all of my canine patients! Thanks Dr. Leslie Woodcock! And thank you Susan for posting!

[@AllAmericanTeam]

Made a believer out of me, going to start cutting my dog's nails more often!

[@msacer5513]

Thank you! I’m a groomer who grooms “bad dogs” and clip/ dremmels nails just as you do, with great results! I know this is a older video, but I would love to see how you position a dogs legs and feet. I see so many people clipping from the bottom/upside down instead of pulling the leg forward... I would love your thoughts!

[@anthonyb755]

The amount of times I’ve shared this video with my dog training clients is crazy 😝 this is the best one I’ve found that explains why it’s so important and how to actually properly trim nails! Thank you so much for this video!!!!

[@YolandaNix]

Loved the video! It did stop in the middle "error occurred', but I find this topic so important. If the nail is too long the knee is not working in the correct position. Such great info!

[@dianebassett1930]

Dr Leslie knows her stuff and is so articulate. I will follow her advice w my own dog - thank you!

[@sisken12]

Learned a lot from this. Thanks for posting.

[@1965simonfellows]

Thankyou for posting.Lovely info.

[@OurSilkySweetheart]

Great claw trim advise/thanks!

[@bailemos]

Love this video! Thank you Dr. Leslie!

[@micawilczynski312]

Thank you for this Information.

[@JessicaJameson]

Fascinating! We Dremel every 2 weeks and they just are never short enough. I'm going to change the angle and try it once a week. If I touch them with clippers, they will bleed. The quicks are always right there. Thank you!!

[@lupitaprice1248]

thank you !

[@SusanGarrett]

Exactly!

[@sapphireotaku3399]

I'm a groomer and see people come in with LONG nails, but the owners say they just got them done. These are honest owners, and I just feel bad they're paying money to get them clipped when they don't even know what they're doing. I've been told by VETS that they can't find the quick on a black nail. 😱 I have a few show dog owners who think I'm god cause I can dremel a nail short. 😂

[@amyschneider9486]

Yes, I’ve Ben, grooming and grinding nails for 20+ years always do the top too I hate cutting nails, avoid it and use the stemmed most of the time.

[@amyschneider9486]

I think this video is a little bit unfair to groomers

[@ama0722]

Great video. I currently use a dremel but getting the angle, what clippers would you recommend?

[@kat1now]

Thanks, Susan, for sending us this link. I groom my own standard poodle and did not know about the technique that would shorten his very long "quicks". Abhaya Kathleen

[@KathyMercure]

Thank you for this information! I plan to share it with my groomer and spread the word on facebook. I am ashamed to say it's been 2 months (in my defense I've been away). I will take my Standard Poodle right away to have them done, then go home and use my dremel thingy to shape them!

[@janeenerbaneener]

I have just learned so much!!

[@lison1273]

My name is Lisa and I am visually impaired I would love to learn how to cut my dogs nails she is a German Shepherd she is a seeing-eye dog I need her to be healthy for a long time do you have any ideas or suggestions for me

[@chaletdalmatians4103]

After watching this video, I became obsessed with making sure that our dogs nails were trimmed properly. I also encourage our puppy buyers to watch this video hoping that they keep their nails short. What can I say, I HATE long nails!

[@lorialdr]

What's the Chinese herb that works as good as quick stop?

[@annadiers5633]

My dog's nails click on the tile and I'm trying to trim them back as suggested, but she hates having her nails trimmed. How can I find a trainer in my area that will trim them nice and short, even over a few-week period of time? She flinches every time I clip and she pushes away from me if she can get the chance; we've played with her paws since she was a puppy but one bad nail clipping (my hubby cut the quick on 2 nails and freaked out) and it's been a nightmare since :/

[@allisparks5361]

whats the best brand..I googled it and it says Safari?

[@bella44885]

wow, great thank you so much there is so many others just advising to shave only a little

[@makeeeetka]

Thank you so much for this video! I have problem with my dog´s nails. Even if I cut them it´s still touching the ground. I guess I was always so afraid that I´m going to cut the nail to much (I did twice or so and my dog was bleeding) that I cut just a little and quick get longer. No I am really desperate, because I can´t get it shorter. Someone told me that I should cut the nail with quick once, but I could not bring myself to do that.

[@pi_beta7306]

One of ours has nails we can't get back. He has a poor foot structure, his nail length on a dog with nice cat feet would be up off the ground, but since his feet are naturally more flat and pointed, even nails that are super short are hard to get off the ground completely. The only thing that works is touching with a dremel twice a week. A PITA but it helps and keeps his nails from growing and ruining his foot structure completely.

[@Wescotdobe]

Awesome video! I've had the same obsession for years. There is a local veterinary chiropractor who also is a strong proponent of short nails. Sad that some of the commentors here just don't get it.

[@Trovatore75]

For me personally the problem arises with black nails. My dog has some white and some black nails. With the white nails, I can see where the quick is and cut relatively close to it. With black nails though, I just can't see where the quick is - and I am not willing to hurt my dog every time by risking close cuts. Also, claiming the dog has no problem with this - is just wrong. It hurts like an ass - and a few such experiences can easily make your dog resist clipping in the future.

[@pi_beta7306]

You're lucky if you have a dog with some white, some black. Take note on how much you can take off the whites and go from there =) Go for the dremel vs. clippers if it's that worrisome. Most dog that resist clippers don't resist a dremel on low.

[@laeceyrepka1814]

I know you commented 4 years ago, so you probably won't see this... but You can see on a black nail, you just have to know what to look for. I'm not very good at explaining it, but do a google or youtube search on how to find the quick on a black nail and you'll find several videos and diagrams.

[@100nyne]

thank you I dremel every 2 weeks max

[@samfryer8132]

How do you cut aggressive dogs nails have a 6 month pup when I try he squirms and when I took him to a groomer they put a muzzle on him but still squirmed around was hoping they’d have better equipment. Anyone have advice

[@larrywhitson6223]

All this stuff about not cutting the quick is just great if you don't have a black dog with extremely black nails where you can't even see the quick. Any suggestions about that?

[@mariehhollenback2346]

If you still need pointers here is a video that tells you, but you basically look for the circle after clipping small bits at a time that will tell you, you're approaching the quick. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2jQnXmpfc2iacU

[@Elkins24]

Do you have a clinicm if so where is it located?

[@megervais]

Can anyone tell me where to find the quick stop? I have looked all over the internet and see some that say quick stop but they are not the one she is talking about..

[@wildog47]

Michelle Gervais styptic powder. :) that's what kwik stop is.

[@plutonium120]

can anyone explain why some dog's nails take care of themselves and others need to be trimmed often?

[@celebriocrity]

Hi there! Maybe I misunderstood. Are you saying that if you can expose the quick - it will recede ... and maybe to a point where you no longer have to trim the nails at all? i.e. its possible to get to a stage where nail trimming will be a thing of the past ? Or did you mean that its just the quick that gets shortly only - and you will always have to trim your dogs nail. (Sorry for stupid question!)

[@f.tracyfesting3023]

Only the quick gets shorter. Your dog will always need its nails trimmed if he doesn't do himself. Taking your dog for a walk on cement and gravel will help to keep them short, especially the back nails.

[@jaredgollnitz5258]

This same video applies to horses and their hoof trims.

[@HolyCrap275]

my dogs nail grew sideways what do i do

[@Moonorchidwolf]

I've always trimmed at an angle like this but the only problem I had was with my old Lab/Golden Retriever. Her quick would just not recede. All her nails had the tips of the quicks exposed to the point where I could even touch them but after weeks and weeks they just wouldn't shrink down. Her nails weren't growing either due to her old age (18 years old). She has passed away now but has anyone else had this happen? Is there anything to prevent it with my other dog when he gets older?

[@chantelpayne3760]

Some dogs file their nails on there own

[@farmfresh_USA]

What kind of quick stop

[@dtx3948]

I meant TRIM

[@KatLuff]

You're missing the point, Stella. Your dog's nails should never be long enough that they touch the pavement while walking/running. If the dog's nails are long enough to be "trimmed" by walking/running on pavement, they're already way too long.

[@bella44885]

did she not just say the total opposite to that

[@cynthiabenporath6511]

Is a "dremel" a hand held rotary tool? If so what model do you use?

[@BeaglyO]

Yes it is

[@sarah-kristinemorgan234]

Yes, the Dremel Micro 8050 is considered by many to be the best for doing dog nails. The less expensive ones tend to kick back which can be uncomfortable for the dog and they take longer so you have to be more careful about the nail heating up.

[@stellacadeau379]

not always the case... I have six dogs (labs) and I have never cut any of their nails. The oldest is 11 and the youngest is almost three, and none of them have ever had a problem with their nails.

[@user-se4on9kb2m]

جميل

[@natalias8866]

Try flashlight

[@christinetrujillo7974]

Your finger nails and toe nails grow too Stella, What happens if you don't trim them?

[@stellacadeau379]

a dogs nails are there for a better grip on a surface like grass, they are there for a reason and they grow for a reason.

[@gothpyrofire]

I trim every 3 days. My JRT have super nails, they grow like weeds!

[@Judyp77]

After reading the comments I have a question: why the heck don't you people take your dog to a groomer to cut their nails? It's only about $12 and you don't have to worry about cutting too short. I can hear my dog Mickey walk across the kitchen floor right after her nails have been trimmed and she can dig holes all day. Her nails are TRIMMED, not cut off. Plus, our dogs have been domesticated so they need help with things like their nails.

[@multiaz0091]

12$?!?!?? I pay 3....

[@Budgiekens]

Let's say your dog lives to be 12 years old and he needs his nails trimmed once a month. Thats $1,728 spent JUST on nail trimming. A pair of good clippers costs about $10 and you could use them for a long time.

[@suebrown7882]

This video is good for experienced owners but I think encouraging novices to clip so drastically is risky for their dogs. Little and often (plus exercise on hard ground) is better I think.

[@Taksling]

Brilliant till the damn squeaky pen!

[@jimwilson4043]

trimming the hairs on the feet of an indoors dog is fine, do it on a dog that stays outdoors and you are asking for frozen feet, thousands of years of evolution is not wrong.

[@dtx3948]

Oh my God......the are animals! No hair in the paws?

[@pi_beta7306]

Wild canids don't have long hair between their toes/on the pads like Border Collies or Golden Retrievers do. They have shorter hair like a Lab or a German Shepherd, so for long haired dogs, get rid of the hair on the bottoms of the feet. A natural stubble on the bottom of the foot (in the case of the Labrador or GSD) is fine, but for dogs that grow 4-6 inches of hair out of the bottom of their foot, that's a dirt, ice, snow ball magnet not to mention a burr or matted hair magnet which would be like us humans walking forever with a big stone in each of our shoes. Not comfortable. Get rid of it!

[@conman20000]

Yah the dogs dont have a peoblem, thats why they scream for no reason when you cut to close...

[@stellacadeau379]

you dont have to cut the nails if you walk your dog on a paved surface often enough, the nails actually trim themselves

[@dtx3948]

This is too much for me. Dogs needs nails. Think about wild dogs, wolves, etc. im ok to trick the nails for indoor dogs, sucha as lap dogs, but really active dogs they dont need that. And speciallly you dont need to cut untill the quick bleeds. Thats too much! I dont see the point. I totally disagree with this video.

[@megsavs]

Daniela Romero have you ever seen a wild canines nails or the nails of a dog that is active? Being active keeps them worn down. Canines use them for traction unlike cats.

[@dianasharpe9484]

She never suggested cutting until the quick bleeds. She did say that with as many nails as she cuts, she sometimes cuts into the quick. She (and we should be) is prepared with Kwik Stop for when that happens.

[@MarigoldsintheGarden]

She brushes off cutting the quick like it’s nothing! She needs more compassion and should be very careful

[@jayw7616]

This video is dangerous because now untrained people will start practice /torture their dogs with this way of trimming ! I mean even this woman in the video admits that sometimes she makes the dogs bleed even though she cuts 200 nails per day !!! Do you realise how dangerous this is left in everybody’s hands? And it’s absolutely not true that cutting the quick doesn’t permanently traumatises the dog ! They don’t get over it ! This is what she has to tell herself to feel better about her mistakes but it’s definitely horrible! Furthermore she doesn’t even comes clean to the pet owners and now they are left with a difficult dog to groom ! Horrible woman!!!

[@MarigoldsintheGarden]

Jay Watkins I agree! This woman sounds like she couldn’t care less about hurting the dog. She’s cruel

[@haletomemememe8868]

As long as your dog is healthy you shouldn't have to cut their nails.