Claw cutting help please

[nikicb]

Sorry, I feel like I am constantly asking questions here, but Kip's claws are getting long and need cutting. I could go to the vets and get the nurse there to do them, but I would rather learn how to do them myself, so they can be done little and often. I'm worried about hurting him though. I was speaking to our dog trainer and she said that there should be a millimetre of clearance between the end of the claw and the ground. Not sure whether this is standard, happy to be guided on this as well. She also pointed out that it's a bit more tricky with his as the claws are all black, so it's harder to tell where to cut if that makes sense. Is there a good video that will show me what I need to do? Also a recommendation on some claw clippers. The spaniel (my husband's dog) gets done at the groomers, and my (now gone) labradors seemed to manage to self trim.

Photo of Kip yesterday as payment for advice. Thank you so much.

 

[Spotherisk]

This way works well

Rew has long, dark claws. A groomer friend explained the same way as in this video, and it works well. In theory I should cut them weekly, in practise I don’t.

 

[Highmileagecob]

If your dog will let you have a look, get him to roll over so you can examine a claw. On the underside of the claw you should see two small triangular flaps of nail growing from the toe, down each side of the claw, a bit like a guard. Inbetween the flaps, the nail bed is soft and he won't like you exploring - this is the vein, and it grows to the end of the flaps. If you position the clippers one or two mm from the end of the flaps and cut straight across level with the ground, you should be ok. Hope this makes sense!.

 

[skinnydipper]

If you are not sure then trim off just a sliver at a time. Keep checking the end of the nail for a white circle with a dark centre. Then stop.

 

[scats]

Sharp clippers that can take a sliver at a time. Keep going until you see the circle with a dark dot.

 

[skinnydipper]

2.34 on this video.

 

[gunnergundog]

Use a dremel

 

[misst]

Skinnydipper gave me a small dremel that I use on my little man as he is super sensitive and has dark claws. It took a while but it helps a lot. I can only do a couple at a time though. My daughter uses it on her sensitive one occasionally too.
Also Moti is a walking vet bill and needs sedation for procedures so anytime he is sedated the vets clip his claws properly.

 

[nikicb]

Thanks everyone. I will check out those links etc. The dremel looks like a good idea.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You can just test the nail by not completely cutting if your not sure but in-between nail trims I use the electric nail file, I just bought it on amazon both of my dogs are fine with it and it's easier than stressing over cutting them

I also use my friend who is a dog groomer for nails it's cheaper and I find they are more patient and my dogs quite like going.

 

[splashgirl45]

I tried to clip my lurchers nails and he kept snatching his foot away, so I then tried picking his foot up as if he was a horse, then I could easily see the underneath of the nail so I knew where to clip, he seemed to accept this much more easily and I can do quite a bit before he gets fed up, luckily most of his nails are light coloured so I can see the quick easily..