One of Lady's claws is getting a bit long on her left front paw. I've never clipped a dogs claws before. How far back can you clip them to be safe and avoid the alive bits?
Re: Nail Clipping Its really tricky with black claws David , I usually take just the nib off the very end, terrified of cutting the quick :
Re: Nail Clipping I've only ever clipped the dew claws, and then just the tips. With a big chunky claw I would take her to the vets. With a black lab you cant really see the point where the 'live' area starts (you can see this on a yellow lab's claws).
Re: Nail Clipping If at all possible I try not to clip, once you start you usually have to keep on. But the rule of thumb (or toe as it were) is that if you place the foot on your hand, or a flat surface, the claws should be just on or above the surface. Any claw that pushes a toe out of alignment can be clipped back (pare it off in small slivers if you're not sure how far to go) until the toe is back in alignment, remembering to keep the clippers at the correct angle so that the cut edge will be flat to the floor when you're done. It sounds complicated but it's quite easy once you get the hang of it, we had one wolfie whose claws grew faster than we could walk them down so her front feet needed clipping every six to eight weeks so we're well practised! Good clippers are essential, not the guillotine sort. I've found that dew claws will over grow and then drop off once they reach a certain length.
Re: Nail Clipping Thanks everyone. Hmmm. She has a tendancy to limp on her left front and I wondered if it was a long claw on a hard surface. I think I'll check in with the vet and see what he says then, especially as I don't want to accidentally hurt her. Also noted about having to keep going once you start. We had a holiday in Cornwall earlier in the year and it was great as walking over all the rocks on walks really wore her claws down. It's all soft field walking here in Lingfield so they don't get such hard treatment.
Re: Nail Clipping You`re right about the rocks here in Cornwall David , Sam has only ever had the very tip of his dew claws nipped off, his others stay short by clambering about on rocky ground or the beach .
Re: Nail Clipping Black claws aren't really an issue if you know what to look for. Most dogs with black toenails will have a white quick, so if you lift the foot and look at the underside to the nail, there it will be.
Re: Nail Clipping Thanks. No clippers so thought what about a piece of coarse sand paper just to take the point off. What a laugh. Lady thought this was a great game!
Re: Nail Clipping A friend of mine uses a Bremel mini sander on her Staffies nails and they let her! I love the emery board idea - Dragons Den here you come!! Helen
